Blaver chinese with spirocores sounding too brilliant and high

lucaspki · #1 06-30-2009, 01:12 PM

Hi, I just bought a new Blaver chinese DB with spruce top and strung it with spirocores. The pizz sounds great, but the arco sound is too high and it easily produces harmonics. I've been advised to use Pirastro strings to make it sound more low, with more bottom with the bow, but then I guess the pizz sound won't be as good as with spirocores, right?
Anyone knows an intermediate sounding strings that could bring more low, more depth and bottom and still be good for pizz (jazz).
A friend who is a DB player told me that my bass is new has solid wood only on top (spruce) and that combination enhances the higher frequencies when playing with the bow.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Lucas

**Francois Blais** · #2 06-30-2009, 01:20 PM

Hi Lucas, and welcome on Talkbass!

Did you take some time to browse the forum a bit?
There are dozens and dozens of threads about "hybrid" strings.
'Hybrid' in the sense of doing both duties (arco and pizz).

Regards,
François

JtheJazzMan · #3 06-30-2009, 05:43 PM

New spirocores.

Theres your problem right there.

They will mellow up over time and they will become easier to bow. To be honest, them being new isnt even that much of an issue. If you listen to Renaud Garcia, he bows on fresh sounding spiro solos. Thats what im on at the moment and THATS a challenge. So it can be done, just keep at the practice.

Marcus Johnson · #4 06-30-2009, 06:32 PM

Teacher.

Andrew McGregor · #5 07-02-2009, 06:51 PM

Learning to make Spiros bow will do wonders for your bow technique. Experiment with bow speed, position, hair angle, weight, etc etc until you can make a nice sound; if you can do that with Spiros, you can do it with anything. It IS possible.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #6 07-02-2009, 08:17 PM

Lucas,
Your friend is probably right. A new bass with Spirocores isn't going to sound good under the bow unless you really work at it. Spirocores on a darkish, mature bass can bow very well. I just put an old set (so they are well broken in) on my old bass and they are great under the bow. They may work well on your bass in a few years, after it mellows a bit.
Why not jump off the same bridge everybody here is, including myself, and buy Evah Pirazzi weichs? Check that thread and see.
A good darkish, lower tension string would probably help your bass.

Square Bear · #7 07-04-2009, 07:42 PM

there are a number of variables at work. the bass/bow/string/rosin/hair/set-up/player are what go into it, so don't think it's all about the string. that said, you're right that spirocores tend to be bright and difficult to fully grab the string with the hair. i disagree that the answer is learning how to do it on spirocores to improve your right hand however. try a responsive string and work with a good teacher so that you learn what it should feel like, then you'll have more control and know the right "feeling" to look for if you choose to play on spirocores. obbligatos tend to be a popular choice for a hybrid string i believe. i play classical almost exclusively, so i use permanents, which are amazing on the bow, but tend to be a stiff jazz string. over the past few years i've gotten used to this and now i actually love the sound of permanents for jazz (it takes a pretty active left hand, but they can get amazing sustain and note front), but it takes some work and experimentation. my suggestion is to find what works for you by seeking guidance from the most highly qualified professional players you can get access to. find a teacher who inspires you and talk to other players about what they do. good luck!