I've been working with the two FOH operators at the location of my current gig. After moving me around for two months on the stage they have finally OK'd my new location. I'm against the far right wall, cab on a stand angled about 15 degrees up, into a cloth scrim. I left the EMP 135 B string on, but replaced the E-A-D-G with DR Flatwound "Legend" stainless steel flats, 45, 645, 85, and 105. That has removed the clanging of the strings and frets, and the 'zing' of sliding fingers up and down the fretboard. So I have a 'mixed' set of strings. Today and the earlier rehearsal was the first time I used this setup. My bass is a 1994 Fortress One 5-string, Ash/Wenge body/neck. Two different members of the band came to me after the set and said they had never heard the bass so clearly and so clean. The FOH operator today was grinning after the set and said he was very happy with my sound. So three have said it sounds fine to them. I am posting here because other Warwick users may have one time or the other considered mixing strings. If it's done to solve issues in the FOH it may just work wonders for you too. (Current rig is GK 500 Fusion and GK 212 NEO cab.) I did not hear so much change myself but if it works in the FOH I may just continue to use this setup. I stand about two feet in front of the cab with it pointing directly to me.
I mixed flats with rounds and it seems to help.
- Thread starter Earl
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I actually have considered doing the same with my 5 strings in the past. Never did, but I am glad to know someone played a gig with that set up and worked fine.
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What kind of music do you play?
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On Sundays - modern praise (Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, Hillsong, etc) and 'old time' gospel ("I'll Fly Away" etc). We have drums, keyboard, concert grand, two electric guitars w/tube amps, one accoustic guitar with a few pedals, and five singers. The FOH people are trying to control our volume. I'm going into the sub (1x15 I'm guessing) and four PA cabs. On playing the low B - I have to mute the other four strings to get a clean sound - if I don't I get a little mud. More work but better results I guess. I mute mostly with the right hand but sometimes I use the left. Whatever works. The four flatwound strings do NOT need muting however - they are much cleaner.
Other gigs are mainly Blues - I haven't tried this setup yet with that genre in a live setting.
Other gigs are mainly Blues - I haven't tried this setup yet with that genre in a live setting.
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- #6
Guess I shouldn't mention to Hardy that my Fortress has ALL GOLD hardware - everything - even the tiny screws are ALL GOLD! I love how it looks. Body is bare wood - all the gloss stain has been sanded off and it has a light yellow seal - but no shine. It looks very nice I think. I have an earlier post that has photos. 
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Guess I shouldn't mention to Hardy that my Fortress has ALL GOLD hardware - everything - even the tiny screws are ALL GOLD! I love how it looks. Body is bare wood - all the gloss stain has been sanded off and it has a light yellow seal - but no shine. It looks very nice I think. I have an earlier post that has photos.
You´re my man!!!
