Another Starfire string question

[Happy Face]

So no love for TI Jazz flats or Jazz rounds anymore?

 

[Minnesota Flats]

I'll be honest and say that I've never tried TIs. The price made me balk and consensus seems to indicate that they are lower tension than Chromes, which makes me think I wouldn't like the "feel" anyway.

 

[mellowgerman]

So no love for TI Jazz flats or Jazz rounds anymore?

I actually just ordered a set of jazz rounds to try on my Leshy 62 EB0. If they don't gel, the pickups and electronics will see further substitution and experimentation

 

[teleharmonium]

I love the TI jazz flats. I have not yet tried them on my SF1 though. It came with flats, and you know how it is, it might be a while before it needs a change.

 

[J.F. Bjella]

Actually ended up ordering a set of Pyramid Gold (medium scale). Figured I just had to give them a go or else I would just keep thinking about them! Will write a few lines when I get them and played them for a little while.

 

[lungimsam]

Let us know if they are worth the price!!

 

[J.F. Bjella]

Will do! However, it seems to me that most of the sets discussed are in pretty much the same price range? I paid 64,50 USD incl shipping for the pyramids, plus added VAT. I think I paid approximately the same for the la bellas, and local shops charge somewhere around that for the D’Addarios. Bass strings are pricey! But hey, they last longer than guitar strings, and they age well. I have actually always loved a new set of strings on my electric guitars, and tended to swap them out quite often when I played more frequently. Haven’t changed them for years now, but I might try some flats for my Jazzmaster as well.

 

[mellowgerman]

Will do! However, it seems to me that most of the sets discussed are in pretty much the same price range? I paid 64,50 USD incl shipping for the pyramids, plus added VAT. I think I paid approximately the same for the la bellas, and local shops charge somewhere around that for the D’Addarios. Bass strings are pricey! But hey, they last longer than guitar strings, and they age well. I have actually always loved a new set of strings on my electric guitars, and tended to swap them out quite often when I played more frequently. Haven’t changed them for years now, but I might try some flats for my Jazzmaster as well.

Though I'm not the biggest fan of Thomastik Infeld flatwounds on bass, I absolutely love them on guitar! I highly recommend trying a set on your Jazzmaster. All 3 of my electric guitars have them -- 11's on my Rickenbacker 330 and Fender Telecaster, 12's on my Gretsch 6191. I've never found a more comfortable, better sounding electric 6-string set. At least they perfectly complement my playing style.

 

[J.F. Bjella]

Thanks, I’ll have an eye out for a set of Thomastik for my JM. Never tried flats on electric guitars, but I’m really all in for bass.

Finally got my NS Starfire II sent from Italy today! A real treat to play. I think the neck is very much close to the vintage Starfire I I’ve been borrowing. Actually still got that one at my place, so it’s nice to compare. Hopefully the flats gets here before the weekend, because these really scream flats. Haven’t played fresh rounds for a long time, and it just sounds so bright and zingy.

Anyway, the immediate real difference (to me anyway) between the two (except all the mojo from wear and tear on the SF I) is the weight and neck dive. The SF I is just so much lighter, and the neck dive on the SF II is quite massive isn’t it? Must be some difference in wood? The SF II has different and bigger tuners, but that can’t make that much of a difference? Better get myself a wide leather strap I guess.

 

[J.F. Bjella]

A photo, because why not?

 

[lungimsam]

My NS Starfire I had massive neck dive fwiw.
Ultra lite tuners and wide Comfort Strapp eliminated it. Denim strap works great too.

 

[J.F. Bjella]

My NS Starfire I had massive neck dive fwiw.
Ultra lite tuners and wide Comfort Strapp eliminated it. Denim strap works great too.

Alright, that sounds interesting. Did you have to drill to make the tuners fit on the SF headstock? I’d appreciate a link or specification on which ultralites to look for : - )

 

[lungimsam]

Tuners:
I did not have to change the size of the holes in the headstock.
Measure your bushing holes width and depth and give them the exact bushing size you need and they will make it for you for free. They did for me.
I forget which tuner post size I got. But you can easily measure that, too.
I got USA Hipshot Ultralites, Clover key, shiny nickel finish.

Bass Tuning Machines

bass guitar, fan-fret, bass bridge, B-bender, guitar bridge, tremolo, bass machine heads, bass tuners, multi-scale, tuners, bridges, headless, vibrato, hardware

hipshotproducts.com

They make the standard, more expensive version and also a less expensive, licensed version.
I have both on different basses and I cannot tell the difference in fit or finish or function.

To install (iirc), I had to put the bushing into the hole, slide in the tuner from the back, tighten the bushing nut, drill one tiny hole for one tiny screw on the bottom of the tuner.
They look great. But you can see all the empty holes from the original grover tuners that came stock on my bass. That doesn't bother me though. I can post a pic later if you like.

As for the strap:
Pro Bass Series Extra Long 42″-54″ (Adjusts both ends)

Product Description – Comfort Strapp™

comfortstrapp.com

 

[lungimsam]

Looks like this:
If they have the option for the short key that would save even more grams.

 

[J.F. Bjella]

Looks like this:
If they have the option for the short key that would save even more grams.

Nice! That looks good, wouldn’t mind the holes from the original tuners too much. I don’t get it why they didn’t go for lighter tuners to start with, but I’m sure they have their reasons.

I went ahead and bought a saddle strap from Souldier Straps today, which has a suede leather pad that helps a lot. The SF is still obviously a bit front heavy, but now I can let go of the neck with no problem.

 

[lungimsam]

My Gibson came stock with ultralites.
I guess guild only has a contract with Grover.

 

[J.F. Bjella]

A month or so in; really loving the Starfire II. The pyramid flats didn’t show up by reasonable time for a gig, so I bought a set of Dunlop 45-105 flats as a placeholder. I do like the feel and tone after letting them set in a bit. The pyramids just showed up, but maybe I'll just save them for later. They’re a bit lighter too, 40-100. I think the tension with the Dunlops are good, but maybe a bit too much sustain to the tone? Would that be better with a lighter gauge?

For future reference; the medium scale pyramid gold set seems to be the perfect scale for Starfire basses.

Recently did a studio session with the bass, paired up with a Bassrig 64 Origin Effects into a tube amp. Digging the sound of this setup. Real woody tone, nice full body and a clear plucky attack (I’m a pick player).

Also! Went to see Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwoods new band The Smile a couple of days ago. Thom played, what seemed to me anyway, a NS Starfire II on a couple of songs. I’ve seen him with a vintage Starfire I in a recent live stream, but I guess he's not dragging that along on tour. Great show, great band.

 

[mellowgerman]

On a somewhat related veer, I just sent this screenshot to my buddy the other day. It's John Stirratt from Wilco and just about all the promo shots for their new album Cruel Country (out today!) show him with his old Starfire - early '67 I believe with ebony transparent finish.
We have tickets to see them in Kentucky this August and I'm hoping to see it live in action!