Dilemma

[thesandman]

I have just gotten two new gigs, one is an alt country, sort of indie, folk gig, sort of nice and sweet music. The other is a jazz/blues band, complete with horn section.

So, I have an upright and the opportunity to use it with both gigs. Currently, my bass is strung with Innovation Super Silvers and high action. That works well for the indie band, as I can slap it a little and root/five the rest. For the other band, some walking is called for, and while I can do it, the bass sounds like it's covered with a wet blanket. Do you think steel strings would open it up some? Or should I just shut up and play?

My bass is an Engelhardt ES-1, about 2 years old. Any advice would be appreciated. For what it's worth, I have a set of Spirocores that I was happy with, except the Estring seemed to go dead after a couple of months, same with the T I Dominants before them

[Square Bear]

i suspect spiros would get you through both gigs. or obligatos or EP's.

[martinc]

sandman:

I cannot imagine your Spirocore (Medium or Weich) E string going dead after a couple of months.
It usually takes that amount of time, or more, for them to break in!
Spirocore Mediums are probably the longest-lasting strings on the market.
You should be able to get many years out of a Spirocore Medium E.
If the bass sound has changed I would get it checked out by a luthier.

[thesandman]

Thanks, it's due for a once over anyway.

[bejoyous]

Thomastic Superflexibles are a good all-round string that would do you for just about any gig.