As usual you guys are awesome sources of information. The basses from Lisle are supposed to be set-up with Helicore Orchestral strings. I found this silk color chart on the D'Addario website:
http://www.jdaddario.com/resources/J...olor_Chart.pdf
My daughter's strings are Helicore Pizzacato strings going by color. I assume this is why no amount of rosin seems to provide enough grab for the strings with the new brazilwood bow that they gave us with the 3/4 rental in place of the old fiberglass bow with the 1/2 size rental. Any thoughts on bowing pizz strings?
We have changed classical guitar strings. Can we change double bass strings without causing any problems? I read just do one at a time but don't want to borrow trouble. If we can do it ourselves I'll buy some used ones from the forum. I can probably get Lisle to change out the strings too but that's such a hassle since they are located pretty far from our house. I could probably buy the used strings then just pay the close shop to install them. I'll call and ask.
Her private instructor gave the hybrid rental the ok and said that if that was a random rental that we lucked out. Apparently our bass quest was far easier and cheaper than I expected. Our current plan is to keep this for 2 years (through freshman and sophomore years in high school) then re-evaluate. We'll keep paying rental until the purchase price is reached (actually 80% at Lisle) then buy this bass for $2500. I think I got off easy with this one.
The case that came with the rental is truely pathetic. They only handles are placed where you would carry the bass sideways like a duffle bag. There is absolutely no easy way to grab the case to get it out of the car. Very annoying. Also my daughter is barely 5'2" and she needs all the handles she can get to carry her bass. I tried to order the Upton Deluxe today for a Christmas present for her but they are out of stock. We take it to private lesson once a week and the occasional concert or contest so we don't need maximum padding. Medium padding and stashability (yes, that's a word) are important. Also it would be nice if the bag didn't weigh as much as the bass. It looked like Upton Deluxe would do the trick with Kolstein as my second choice. I can always take the bag to the shoe shop to add some handles in better spots for a short girl but prefer not to have to go to the trouble.
I ordered her a bow for Christmas. Coda Metropolitan. Overkill for a 14 year old? She is absolutely thrilled with the cheap brazilwood upgrade from the original fiberglass so now I'm thinking why spend the money on the Coda.
We selected her high school classes this week and she was excited that there was a jazz band class listed in addition to regular orchestra. Unfotunately that ended up not being accurate but they will have jazz band as an after school activity next year. That should be a fun way to expand her bass skills. The last two summers I've tried to get her up to University of North Texas double bass camp but the dates haven't worked but she did enjoy the University of Texas camp last summer. Hopefully UNT will work this summer.
Ok. Enough about basses. Time to put up the tree. Thanks for your help.
Mary Ann
