D'Addario Hybrid Falsing

Fred in Vegas · #1 12-25-2007, 12:32 AM

Can anyone enlighten me about D'Addario Hybrids? In addition to my jazz gigs, I play shows which require arco so I need a good crossover string. I tried a set of medium gauge Hybrids and liked them but they started going bad very quickly. In fact, the A string went completely false in less than 3 months. You could actually see the string "convulse". I chalked it up to having been doing more playing than usual. I replaced them with a set of light gauge Hybrids and those went bad within 2 weeks. I called D'Addario and was told to send them the strings for evaluation. Needing another set in the meantime, I decided to go with the light gauge hybrids again. This time, I haven't been able to get a sustained, unwavering pitch no matter how I pull the string - hard, light, farther down the fingerboard, farther up the fingerboard. I'm thinking that it's this particular brand/type of string. Anyone else have experience with this and can enlighten me?

eiahto · #2 12-25-2007, 12:12 PM

Have you checked whether your bridge location and the angle are where/what it should be? I've found that I have to check up on the bridge every so often, since a millimeter of movement of the bridge can change a thumpy sound to a full growl.

I often wonder if most of my string experiments had been a waste of time, as I haven't always been doing this... I probably have to check more than others though, b/c I've been told that my sound post can be a little longer.

Hope that helps.

Fred in Vegas · #3 12-25-2007, 01:17 PM

Thanks for the suggestion, eiahto. Checking bridge location and string length are part of my re-stringing routine and then I usually check every couple of days after I put on a new set. Admittedly, however, I haven't been as religious about it this time. I will double check but I don't believe this is the issue.

Eric Hochberg · #4 12-25-2007, 01:37 PM

I haven't used them in quite a while (I was an endorser and liked them at one time) because of inconsistancies. I remember the last couple of sets I tried had dull sounding A strings. I'm not sure what was going on at the factory, if they changed formulas, bad batch of materials, etc. I finally gave up.

For a good hybrid, try Obligatos, Evah Pirazzis, Dominants or Corelli 380TX either as a full set or in combinations. I often use Spiro E and A with Obligato D and G with success. There's tons of info in the string forums.

clink · #5 12-25-2007, 08:27 PM

Eric, I've got an old set with a very bright, metallic A if you want to give them another go.

That string sounds more like sitar than bass.
Some people really like them though.
The Spiro, Obli thing can be a nice mix.

Eric Hochberg · #6 12-25-2007, 09:02 PM

Thanks, Clink, but for now, let's say I've moved on...

winston · #7 12-29-2007, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehochberg

For a good hybrid, try Obligatos, Evah Pirazzis, Dominants or Corelli 380TX either as a full set or in combinations. I often use Spiro E and A with Obligato D and G with success. There's tons of info in the string forums.

Eric, would you mind comparing the Corelli 380TX to Obligatos and Spiros in terms of tone/feel? I see the 380s are made out of nickel, and I strongly prefer nickel to steel for bass guitar strings. To my ears the detailed midrange response of nickel strings brings out an instrument's nuances best.

BTW, I saw you play in Chicago a number of times when I lived there between '90 and '96. Took some lessons with Larry Gray at DePaul, but I didn't do much gigging. How's the scene these days?