Detuning Dominants

drurb · #1 12-13-2006, 12:18 PM

I have a set of Dominants that is about 6 months old. This weekend, I'll be taking my bass to my luthier to determine if I need a winter post (a new one was fitted in the summer). I really hate to detune the Doms. Given their history of breakage (I've not experienced any problems), would it make sense just to throw on a new set? Put differently, what do you all think is the risk involved in not replacing them and tuning them back up?

Thanks

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #2 12-13-2006, 12:48 PM

Hard to say. I've had mine in to Nnick several times, where's he's detuned them, done the work, and then put them back up to pitch and all has been fine. The only one I've had break was the E, which I detuned to play in drop D more regularly.

With Dominants, it's smart to have a backup set if you like 'em. I haven't gotten into my backup set yet, but it's nice knowing it's there. For gigs, I take a set of really old spiros as a backup, since if i need one I can pop it right on and play without having to wait for a new string to stretch out and settle in while I retune it every 15 seconds in the middle of the tune.

vitoliuzzi · #3 12-15-2006, 08:22 AM

Dear Forum,
in my experience I've used Thomas Dominants Solo Set just for a little period, during which I played on a Romeo Orsi 1892 with a 110 cm. of diapason (string length). Well, Both the first string that the fourth had this problem: they broken very often, probably because of the long string lenght (diapason as I said). Sound and response is generally wonderful for a classic player, and very powerful of sound. Now Corelli's has decided to let me test their Medium Tungsten Strings 360 if I well remember on my Tarantino 2/4 of size (a little diapason of 104 cm.), . Not so bad. But Dominants, that I would like to set on my new db., hoping they don't break again is another world.
One string for every bass, we say.

Best regards

Vito Liuzzi

drurb · #4 12-29-2006, 10:57 AM

Well, I had the tweaking done on my bass and tuned the Doms back up to pitch. All was fine for weeks. I went over to my bass this morning and found my Dominant G on the floor. It broke along the silk in the pegbox between the nut and the tuning peg. I called the company and they cheerfully agreed to send a replacement. With support like that I remain a Dominant fan-- despite the break. I'll have to get along with my used Obligato G for a while.

vitoliuzzi · #5 01-10-2007, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

Well, I had the tweaking done on my bass and tuned the Doms back up to pitch. All was fine for weeks. I went over to my bass this morning and found my Dominant G on the floor. It broke along the silk in the pegbox between the nut and the tuning peg. I called the company and they cheerfully agreed to send a replacement. With support like that I remain a Dominant fan-- despite the break. I'll have to get along with my used Obligato G for a while.

I don't know: why? But here in Italy and also in many other countries all doublebass players which use Dominants (Orchestra or Solo Set) have problems with breaking in the same place described by drurb. I would like to use again Dominants SOlo Set, but in the first two previous set, the first time E String broke, in the second set the G string broke

. Any suggestions

Vito Liuzzi

CB3000 · #6 01-10-2007, 10:05 AM

i guess i have been lucky. i have beaten my dominant solos and strung/restrung them 20 times and they still are fine! what about sharp edges around the peghole? they are fragile in that area-is the peg cutting them?

vitoliuzzi · #7 01-10-2007, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CB3000

i guess i have been lucky. i have beaten my dominant solos and strung/restrung them 20 times and they still are fine! what about sharp edges around the peghole? they are fragile in that area-is the peg cutting them?

In my experience I can say that the true problem isn't the sharp edges around the peghole. It's before: in the peg box. Sorry but in English it's difficult for me to well express this concept. Usually they seem to broken between the peg and the mechanical, where the string rolls. In this point there's the maximum of tension for one string. So, usually, the 1st and 4th string are the ones which broke before of the other ones. Cb3000, I can tell you to be very lucky, but probably Dominants are the better strings for your instrument. Surely, it might be the right way

Best regards

Vito Liuzzi