Gretsch G2220 short scale bass PART 2 - Flatwounds (Thomastik) vs Roundwounds
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ค. 2024
- Part 2!!
In this video, we will compare the sonic differences between D'Addario XL roundwounds vs. Thomastik Infeld flatwounds on the same Gretsch G2220 short scale electric bass.
Please see Part 1: • Gretsch G2220 short sc...
To best appreciate the sonic differences, quality headphones or speakers are recommended.
Bass was recorded direct through a Line6 Pod Go with a GK800RB model. No EQ or compression added.
00:00 Intro
01:06 D'Addario roundwound tones
04:25 Roundwounds with a drum track
05:21 TI flatwound tones
09:20 Flatwounds with a drum track (Tone 10%)
10:16 Flatwounds with a drum track (Tone 50%)
11:12 Summary and final thoughts - เพลง
Love the TI flats. They sound really good after about a week…. and forever after. Great videos. 👏
Thanks for watching!
this is exactly what I was looking for
Thanks for watching!
You have a great channel - thanks!
You're so kind! Thanks for watching and for the encouragement! Means a lot to me!
@@jonathanwong458music Hi Jonathan. I have an unusual question: If price was not the issue which do you recommend: The Epiphone Jack Casady Signature, Gretsch G2229 Junior Jet or Danelectro ''59? All are unique, all are different. I am an experienced guitarist. Thanks. Mike in Albuquerque, NM USA
Very interesting question! I can give you my order of preference and reasoning.
1st place: Epi jack cassidy. The dude himself is cool and the range of sounds from a single pickup is pretty wide. Cons: it’s a big bass and I’m little! Has that Gibson bridge 3 point bridge….need not say more!
2nd place: dano. I made a video on the ‘56. Cool bass. Light weight and balanced ok. Cool tones, but the tonal variation is not that wide. The fibreboard body feels fragile and the tuners felt flimsy. But I’m biased towards fender bats/clubs/self defense tools.
3rd place: Gretsch 2220. Looks cool. Appeals to guitar players. Cons. I hated the balance on the bass I borrowed for those videos. Just didn’t sit right on my lap and I sit 90% of the time. Their p/u PR debacle was ridiculous.
My thoughts of course! The Cassidy is just cool. If it came in a 30”, I would be into it. But it’s just too physically huge on my arthritic joints, unfortunately.
What are your thoughts?
@@jonathanwong458music My thoughts exactly. 😀 It's really great to hear that you and I are on the same page. Thanks so much for your professionalism Perhaps, you could do a video on Stringjoy Strings. I look forward to more of your comprehensive videos.
Thanks for watching!! I'd love to try out some stringjoys, for sure!
Good bass this Gretsch !
Thanks for watching!
Thanks nice video.
Thanks for watching!
Love the TI Jazz, agree tone only 50% max. I also have a set of Pyramid Gold Flats on my PJ Mustang bass, paired with Aguilar P'ups which I like very much.
Right on! Thanks for watching!
You have quickly become my favorite bass guitar TH-camr. The Thomastik package you show says "long-scale" yet the strings have binding around the tuning posts. Is it okay to use long-scale strings on short-scale bass guitars? I have that Gretsch and love it. I'd like to see a serious review of the Squier Mini P Bass, which I find punches well above its price class.
Thanks so much! Yes, I have the long scale TIs on most of my basses, mostly because they are easier to find and ship to Canada. I do end up with with exposed string windings (+ silk) around the tuning peg (most on the E). I've had the same set on my red mustang for almost 7 years and they're still great. I wouldn't suggest re-stringing it several times, as that might unravel the windings.
I have the short scale TIs on my new F bass short. The E string gauge is 106 vs 100. There's less exposed winding with those on the tuning peg. Not totally sold on the 106. Wish it was 103!
Long story short, Thomastik will probably tell you not to use long scale strings on short scale basses. I've yet to break one and I have them on several short scale basses! Knock on wood!
@@jonathanwong458music Exactly the kind of information I was hoping for. Thanks!
Glad to be helpful! Thx for engaging!
Hi, thanks a lot for your videos and guidelines regarding short scale basses. I have a heavy modded G2220 and I am not yet satisfied with the sound comparing to my long scale jazz bass. I want more midrange, that i guess is lacking on the shortscales. What do you think is the best strings to achive that sound?
If it’s midrange you’re after, I’d stay clear of the Ernie ball slinkies and the Dunlop super brights (I love the dunlops) as they’re both mid scooped. Same with the daddario XLs as those are V shaped in the mids.
The TI flats have lots of mids and less lows, but they’re flats and expensive. I’ve really liked the fender nickels lately and they sound pretty balanced.
The gretsch has a darker sound all its own and I’m not sure it will ever be truly mid present and forward. A mustang style bass or something with a P pickup might get you closer. Check out my atelier Z Ken Ken video. Is that the sound you’re after?
Atelier Z short scale J-style bass (Ken Ken signature). Versatile bass!
th-cam.com/video/q3VbxCHN97U/w-d-xo.html
@@jonathanwong458music I will try the TI Flats, do you recommend the shortscale version or the long scale? Does the longscale version of strings when put on a shortscale results in less tension?
Just saw your video regarding using the long scale version. Gonna go for that. Thank you!!!
Right on. I don’t know why the short scale set has a different gauge low E. They’re great strings!
@@jonathanwong458music Just put the TI Flats on my Gretsch G2220. I love it, i got the mids that i was chasing and they fell very confortable. Thank you.
Flats win in my book
I agree! TI flats are one of my favourite bass strings of all time!
Thanks for watching!
I actually just picked this bass up a couple days ago. Do you think I would have any issues with the Thomastik Infelds because I play with a pick? I've heard they're really low tension. I don't play super aggressively, but more aggressively than you are in the video. If it is an issue, would it just be a matter of adjusting truss rod/raising the action?
Have you ever tried Rotosound Monel flatwounds? Those are the other strings I was considering, and they're roughly half the price the Infelds.
Thanks for watching and asking! I played the TI flats with a pick on my Hofner Club without any issues. I’ve since switched those to Labellas, but that’s another story. I think the lower tension may affect the feel and the rebound of the pick. For example, if you are playing fast 16th notes, a stiffer string may provide a more solid rebound sensation, especially if you are picking both down strokes and upstrokes. A lower tension string will have more give and play and may feel like you’re striking a rubber band. Very personal whether that will affect your playing technique or the sensation/feel.
You may want to try the GHS flats. They come in short scale wound lengths and I like those on my P bass. I have tried the Roto jazz flats and found them on the stiffer/high tension side.
@@jonathanwong458music Thanks! I've listened to a few other demos and have preferred the TI's nearly every time, so I will probably try them first. They seem to have a stronger midrange than some of the other strings I've heard.
You've never had any issues with the long scale TI's on the Gretsch jr. jet?
Btw, you're videos are really informative and much appreciated - liked & subscribed! :)
TI flats are great. I’ve recorded lots with them on multiple basses. I only use the long scale set. The short scale set (which is really more medium than short) has a 106 gauge low E string, which I really didn’t like. They’re 100 on the long set….dont know why they’re different. Here’s a link to a video I made about strings. The second half goes through the strings on my main basses, many of which have TIs. I had them on my F bass (2+2 headstock like the Gretsch) without any issues. Knock on wood, I haven’t broken a TI string yet.
th-cam.com/video/5Il0qBC-kn8/w-d-xo.html
PS. I borrowed the Gretsch for that video.
Thanks for liking and subscribing!! Much appreciated!
@@jonathanwong458music Yeah, I was looking at the TI short scales but was concerned the 106 gauge wouldn't fit in through the top of the tuning peg - it seems quite small.
Will check out the video. Thanks, again!
Hi Jonathan. Thank you so much for all your short-scale bass videos. I have tried the Gretsch G2220 in shops and while I generally liked it (except I thought its very low end tones were a bit muddy and not as defined as I'd like), my G&L Fallout bass just did everything the Gretsch did, only better. Now that's with both basses strung up with round wounds, so to my ear at least when comparing the two, the G&L wins hands down. I'm looking for a short-scale solid body bass to complement my G&L with roundwounds, but one that uses flatwounds. I know you prefer Thomastik strings, but they are so horribly expensive and so they are just not an option. This Gretsch G2220 you are playing does very well with flatwounds, and I would consider picking one up, only NOT with Thomastiks. Can you recommend another set of short-scale flatwound strings for the Gretsch G2220? Thanks, Jim
Thanks so much for watching! I do like TI flats but yeah, pricey….I have GHS flats on my 34” P bass and I do like those too. Has more of a vintage tone leaning and less supple feeling. 45-95 and they come in a short scale wound length. The midrange is less pronounced compared to the TIs. They are less supple and slightly rougher compared to the TIs but roughly half the price. Here’s a link:
www.amazon.ca/GHS-Strings-3020-Precision-Stainless/dp/B005M05MII
Everybody has their preferences but I really don’t like Daddario Chromes. The fender flats sound good but don’t come in short scale. Labella deep talkin are too stiff. Their low tension flats feel like TIs but the midrange sounds less pronounced to my ear.
Help this helps. Good luck!
The fellow I bought my Guild Starfire 1 bass said he had removed the stock roundwounds and put on GHS precision flats. I'm not so sure about that as I thought GHS precision flats come in long scale only. Your response seems to confirm that. At any rate, the GHS strings are great on the Guild, whether they're precision flats or not. I have LaBella flats on my Hofner Icon bass and really like them also, though yes they are a bit stiff (not so much to bother me, though). To me at least hollow-body basses deserve flatwounds. So I'm not clear what flatwounds you can recommend OTHER than Thomastik. Perhaps you can't recommend any at all. Sometimes (sigh.) the only option we have is to go with the best horse in the glue factory.@@jonathanwong458music
p.s. You mentioned Fender flats. I have a 1966 Harmony H-22 hollow-body short scale bass in utterly pristine condition, just beautiful. My parents gave it to me for Christmas that year when I was but 12 years old. Still have the original chipboard case it came in. About 22 years ago I put Fender long-scale flatwound strings on it without thinking, but it appeared to be o.k. as the tailpiece is so far away from the bridge that long scale strings works. My goodness, the strings still sound and feel great after all these years and I have no intention of changing them. What a great thump this bass has. One oddity: there are no fret markers on the side of the neck which requires one to do neck gymnastics at times.
Check out the link in my first reply. The GHS flats are available in short scale. Purple silk. I like them! The fender flats are found stock on the JMJ mustang so Fender must think it’s ok. Nothing sounds like TI but the GHS I mentioned would be my second place. So that would be my suggestion! Thx!
Sorry about that. I realized my oversight after I replied. Yes, the GHS flats on my Guild Starfire 1 have purple silk. Thanks for your suggestion. Your ear and mine may be similar as I like the GHS flats also. 🙂 I did read somewhere that short-scale strings don't work so well on Guild Starfire basses. Have you ever heard anything like that?@@jonathanwong458music
Since both pickups are indentcal single coil is there really a difference in sound when using one opickup or booth/middle position?
If I understand your question, yes absolutely there is a difference in sound and tone - the placement (location) of the pickup has a big influence on the sound. When used alone, the closer to the neck the pickup is = more low frequencies and mellower/warmer highs. The closer to the bridge the pickup is = less low frequencies and brighter more articulate highs. Having both pickups on sort of gives you something in between but you start to get some cancellation of frequencies which can sometimes result in a mid-scooped sound. Hope this answers your question!
Thanks for watching and asking.
@@jonathanwong458music Thank you for your quick response, yes it does answer my question. Thanks again. Great video!!
Right on! Thanks for watching and for your encouragement!
Hi, did you string the G2220 with thomastik long scale strings?
I did! I string a lot of my short scales with TI flats long scale 100-43 (JF344). I made a video dedicated to strings for short scales and I talk about this exact topic in the second half!
Thanks for watching!
th-cam.com/video/5Il0qBC-kn8/w-d-xo.html
@@jonathanwong458music just watched it, thank you for you reply! Would you recommend the thomastik long scale or short scales for the g2220?
I love TIs, so yes! You could try their short scale set, it’s 106-43, but they’re really more medium scale in terms of string wound length. I haven’t had any issues with using the longs on 30” short scales. Hopefully you won’t have issues either.
*as mentioned in the string video, thomastik will likely not recommend this!
@@jonathanwong458music Thanks again, you helped a lot!
Right on. Good luck!
I find that the Thomastik have a brilliant sound, which makes them versatile strings.
Why do you wear a glove on your left hand ?
I have a strong preference for TI flats. Been using them for years on several different basses!
Re glove. I have an underlying autoimmune disease called dermatomyositis - inflammation that affects my skin, joints and muscles. As a result of chronic vasculitis, my fingers and fingertips are shredded apart and often have wounds, ischemic spots or very thin skin. It's very painful, so fretting becomes more difficult. I can't walk very far (use a cane) and in general, this disease is a pain in the butt. Wearing a glove on my fretting hand has allowed me to play with less pain, so I put up with it. I should be wearing gloves on both hands, but I find that it changes the tone too much with it on my plucking hand. I've made a dedicated video on how these gloves change the tone of the instrument, if you are interested in checking it out.
Thanks for watching and asking! Note: at some point in shooting these videos, I switched to the beige coloured gloves so they look a little better on screen. The black gloves made my hand disappear against darker fingerboards like ebony.
th-cam.com/video/OQcV8KDUqlg/w-d-xo.html
@@jonathanwong458music I wish you a lot of courage. You are a great person because you have the patience to respond to messages. Each instrument is tested and explained with discernment.
Thank you Jonathan
I’m fuelled by viewers! So thanks for watching!
Wow! I'm surprised about de bright sound of the Thomastik...
My favourite flatwounds by far! Thanks for watching!
Scott of SBL wears gloves because he's got some condition. What's the reason for the gloves here?
Scott Devine has a neurological phenomenon called focal dystonia. I have an underlying autoimmune disease called dermatomyositis - inflammation that affects my skin, joints and muscles. As a result of chronic vasculitis, my fingers and fingertips are shredded apart and often have wounds, sores or very thin skin. It's very painful, so fretting becomes more difficult. I can't walk very far (use a cane) and in general, this disease is a pain in the butt. Wearing a glove on my fretting hand has allowed me to play with less pain, so I put up with it. I should be wearing gloves on both hands, but I find that it changes the tone too much with it on my plucking hand. I've made a dedicated video on how these gloves change the tone of the instrument, if you are interested in checking it out.
Thanks for watching and asking!
@@jonathanwong458music I'm glad you find some solace in sharing your joy in music and bass. You play and sound great. I appreciated the video, and part 2, as well. I hope the best for you... 🙏†🕊️✨
Thank you! Those gretsch videos were really early on in my TH-cam journey. I hope the more recent videos look and sound better, haha!! Thanks for watching and supporting my little channel!
@@jonathanwong458music thank you for sharing your valuable expertise. I found your video particularly insightful for those "sweet spots". I recently bought some Thomastik Infelds (haha funny that cuz the way you pronounce 'tuhmasstic' like an adjective was entertaining too. I'm not sure of any "correct' pronunciation but it hadn't occurred to me there could be any other sound to it than as a proper name 'Thomas-stick', until you said it differently to my ears haha)-like you, I love the TI flatwounds and with your encouragement will likely stay with them on any and every bass I get though I'm curious about LaBelle's too. I just wondered that this Gretsch has a better sound than the other short scale I'd been considering-the Ibanez Mikro 5-string. I would trust and appreciate your opinion and recommendations here, if you had any. Another question that lurks in my mind is whether a 32" scale has a significantly beefier sound than these. 30" feels a bit small but if there's no significant difference from a 32" scale bass, I'd be okay with it. On the other hand, if there's considerably better tone from a 32" medium scale I'd probably be happier sacrificing for one of those. Have you addressed any of these questions in your prior videos? I'd be keenly interested to watch them. Thanks in advance.
Great questions. I grew up playing thomastik violin strings and that’s just how I’ve heard it pronounced. Would need to ask a German-speaking Austrian what the proper way is!
I’ve filmed several videos with the Mikro 4 but not the 5 version yet. The Mikro 4 is 28.6” and I find it on the tight side. Can’t comment on the how the 5 sounds.
I do plan on doing something with the 32” scale Ibanez mezzo in the future. I spend 85% of my time on 30” scales (with the other 15% on a full scale P bass) to make playing easier - less reach equals less pain. I don’t think the in between 32” would offer me enough advantage to have to adapt yet another set of muscle memory. Now 30” feels right to me and it’s what my hands are used to.
To answer your middle question, I prefer the TI flats over the labella low tension flats. Richer sounding, nicer over tones. I have labella deep talkin flats on my Hofner and I find them stiff. But they fit properly and sound good enough so they get to stay.