*** Clean and strings for Essence?

[dave]

hi from Italy
 
ideal strings for alembic essence?
how to clean the strings and bass?
 
happy 2009 for all!

[tbrannon]

Welcome to the forum Dave.  
 
You'll find lots of opinions on preferred strings- there isn't any 'right' answer there.
 
In terms of cleaning the bass and general care for you Essence, check this page- there are lots of tips.
 

[mario_farufyno]

Hi Dave, I use GHS Fast Fret or Dunlop's 65 string condicioner to keep my Strings clean. For my Rogue I simply use a soft rag...
 
Concerning the ideal String, I think this is a matter of taste. After several years experimenting, I finally found the GHS's Super Steel Ultra Light set as the best strings to my ordinary Washburn 6 string bass. But they seems  too bright (and noisy) on my Alembic Rogue.
 
I'm now trying GHS pressurewound Nikel strings on it. This Strings has slightly compressed outer winding that places it somewhere between Round and Flatwound strings (what I expected to be a way to get a more balanced tone on the Alembic).  
 
It produces less finger noise than Rounds, but they're not as dark sounding as Flats. I feel they're really more confortable to play, but I don't have a final word about it. They still seems darker (and looses brightness too quickly) than I actualy needed.  
 
Next time I will try regular Nikel Rounds...

[basstard]

Dave - sorry for a very late reply but I hope you still have your Essence and the insight I can offer will still be valid.
 
While I've always liked Rotosound strings, they don't seem to be a good choice for a neck-thru Alembic (although they are great on a set-in model like Epic). D'Addario strings are very good, DR are even better. But - to no surprise - the best strings for any Alembic bass are... Alembic ;-) They really bring out what's best in these superb instruments!

[ploonter]

As someone previously stated, string choice is a personal thing, however, I used to use Roto-sounds-exclusivly-until this guy Dave Donley GAVE me a set of Curt Mangan nickel wounds to try.
Now, granted, he owns the music store here, so I too at first thought he was just trying to get me to buy them...if so, it worked 'cause these are the strings I use on all three of my basses now!
They are bright, but not twangy, warm, but not dull and they last three times longer than the Rotos-and they are longer-string thru body not a problem even on my jazz 24 G string.
Food for thought.

[basstard]

Unfortunately, they're unavailable in Poland - I'll have to stick to D'Addarios (I found them to be a safe choice) for some time longer.
 
(Message edited by basstard on June 22, 2009)

[slawie]

Old school method of cleaning strings.
Comes from those of us who are or used to be poor (fiscally unviable) musicians.
 
Remove strings from your bass.
 
Place in boiling water/vinegar solution.
1 litre water to 125ml vinegar. (Open a window)
Boil for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally
remove from the pot while still hot (Warning! Do not use your fingers)
Leave overnight to dry.
 
Strings sound brand new!
 
slawie

[sonicus]

I remember trying that recipe about 30 years ago.  
 
 Great salad dressing _ yum !