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Posted by Rob (162.84.133.28) on June 13, 2002 at 23:08:12:
In Reply to: Picking Strings-Help.. posted by James on June 13, 2002 at 19:32:48:
: Hello. Ive been playing the bass for about a year now. It's a lot of fun. I've got a Fender P-bass and am looking to see from you guys what changing my strings would do. Does it improve the sound? My strings are kind of hard, and I have to push really hard on the E string sometimes so it doesnt vibrate. I read somewhere in an ad for strings that you shouldnt have to break your fingers by pushing so hard, so I thought you guys with more experience could help. Alright..later.
Hey, James!
I don't think it's your strings. Alot of my students have P Basses like yours. The way they're set up at the factory makes them pretty much unplayable. Undoubtedly, your bass needs to have the truss rod tightened and the action lowered - this will make it play like a different instrument. Try to get hold of a lesson in setting up your own bass, or take it in to a qualified technician. You probably do need a new set of strings, but that's not the reason why your bass is so hard to play.
Good Luck,
Rob