d'addario hybrids or spiro's

[B String]

Which might have more sustain with a
softer feel? Medium D'addario hybrids
or 4/4 length regular spirocores?
Its for a 60 year old german 3/4 carved
and a new Wilfer.

[T-Bal]

I suspect the hybrids would have a softer feel and the spiros more sustain.

[olivier]

I remember the "Hybrids" to have huge sustain. I don't understand why you'd want to put 4/4 strings on a 3/4.

[B String]

I'm told that a longer string has
less tension. soooo.... A 4/4 length
string has less tension then a 3/4
length tuned to the same pitch.

[Pacman]

Try Weichs.

[B String]

Actually, I'm looking for a little
more string under my fingers. I just
don't want more tension. Weichs tend
to be a bit skinny for me both in feel
and sound.

[Hector Wolff]

BString

I think that what was meant was...that longer strings (meaning a longer vibrating length, such as you would get on a 4/4 bass) tuned to the same pitch would have less tension.

When you take those longer strings and put them on a 3/4 bass with it's shorter vibrating string length, and tune them to the same pitch, you might end up with no difference at all...or worse, you could end up with even more tension.

[toman]

I don't know about the length thing, but I'd go with spiros over helicores anyday, for any playing. The weichs feel nice, and bow a little easier I think that the orchestras, but the weich E is kinda wimpy IMO. Might want to mix and match a heavier E.

[Chasarms]

A string will produce a certain pitch at a certain speaking length, given the correct tension.

If you SHORTEN the speaking length (4/4 to 3/4) it will demand LESS tension to create a given pitch.

Imagine you had a 4/4 bass with an E string tuned to pitch. You could simulate (sort of) the string's tension on a 3/4 scale by playing a stopped note 1.5-2" from the nut. In order to make this pitch be an E, you would have to de-tune the string. Therefore, less tension.


So, his idea of using 4/4s to give string thickness but less tension is correct. The only issue is that it simply means a given set of strings designed for a 4/4 bass will have less tension if used on a 3/4. (Although not much, as you are only talking about a 3-5 percent shortening of the scale and scale lengths aren't etched in stone) This doesn't mean they'll necessarily have less tension than a 3/4 set used in it's correct application.

Having rambled, I would try a set of Weichs with a Mittel E string.

[B String]

Don't like weich's. Too thin feel and
sound. Thomastik rep insists that spiro's
in the full size on a 3/4 bass have less
tension. A bit hard to order, but i'm
searching. Any other strings with sustain
punch, full sound and not too stiff?

[toman]

If the weichs are too light for you but you like the string, why not step up to the orchestra gauge? (I think that's the next step up anyway.)

[Mike Goodbar]

Originally posted by B String
Thomastik rep insists that spiro's
in the full size on a 3/4 bass have less
tension. A bit hard to order, but i'm
searching. Any other strings with sustain
punch, full sound and not too stiff?

Do Spiros come in a solo set? Many players like to tune solo sets, which are meant to be tuned F#-B-E-A, to regular orchestra tuning. This, I think, would give you the reduced tension you're looking for.

[Paul Warburton]

Originally posted by Mike Goodbar
Do Spiros come in a solo set?

YES.