break in period for new strings?

[longfinger]

Hi,

My school just bought a new double bass (2006 model), solid wood all around, with new steel strings (unknown brand). Costed about $5000. It sounds pretty good when bowed, but very thin when plucked. The notes sound very clear and distinct, but have little warmth and very little bottom end. The thing is, the school's old plywood bass with 10 year old (or older) strings actually sounds more like what I think a double bass should sound like. It sounds way better when plucked and ok when bowed (but it can get a bit muddy).

So the question: Does a newly set up bass with brand new strings normally sound weak? How many playing hours does it take to break in brand new set of strings so that they sound great? Is there a best way to break them in? ie bowing chromatic scales all over, then plucking the same?

thanks,

[TroyK]

My answer, although I'm sure not the last word on the subject,

Strings make a difference, set up makes a difference and the bass makes the difference. The age of the bass CAN make a difference, but I wouldn't look there first.

Play the bass a lot and see if you can figure out how to make it speak. Unless there is something wrong, maybe you just haven't found it's voice yet.

If it sounds better than the old bass bowed and worse pizz, then it would be interesting to know what strings were on each. Again, not the only factor, but interesting. How the strings change change character depends on what strings they are.

Regardless, bowing them a lot is a good way to get them broken in.