Do your strings/action feel tighter in the winter?

DaveAceofBass · #1 11-26-2007, 08:28 PM

I know that big wooden basses' tops move when the weather changes. However, it seems like the wood should contract in the cold, right? Why then does my bass feel tighter in the winter? Will I risk losing tone if I go to a thinner gauge of strings to compensate? I use Corelli 370F now, but not sure if I want to try Medium gauge again. Seems like the low E is never full enough on Corellis. I'm thinking of trying a 370TX low E with the other 3 being a 370F, but this time of year is so hard to play that I might want to just go for the 370M with a 370F low E. What do you all think?

Flo'Daddy · #2 11-26-2007, 10:08 PM

Hey Dave-
I would not recommend the 370TX for the E string. That particular string is the weakness of that set, IMO. I thought I could get more pizz sound with more tension and ordered a set, and after playing them for about a month, went right back to the 370F's and realized I had made a mistake. I love the Corelli's but they just don't project well enough without an amp for my bass.

I wondered when I got the 370TX set if something was wrong with the E string....

Maybe someone else has some input about the Corellis.

**Francois Blais** · #3 11-27-2007, 10:58 AM

What was the mistake?
Going back to the F gauge, or trying the TXs?

Best regards,
François

Eric Hochberg · #4 11-27-2007, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveAceofBass

Why then does my bass feel tighter in the winter?

You probably need a shorter soundpost fitted for those months as the bass contracts.

Flo'Daddy · #5 11-27-2007, 10:03 PM

Francios-

Sorry that I wasn't clear -- my mistake was not going to a heavier string altogether!

I originally meant that trying them was the mistake, although most everyone here has probably spent a lot more money on strings than I -- I've been fortunate to be able to play the strings installed on the instruments of my peers here in the Springs....and of course to use this site!

By the way, I do agree with Eric about the shorter soundpost. I keep my instruments in a room with a good humidifier -- required equipment for me. Colorado winters are extremely dry and I have to raise the strings up in the winter at least twice...

DaveAceofBass · #6 11-27-2007, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flo'Daddy

Hey Dave-
I would not recommend the 370TX for the E string. That particular string is the weakness of that set, IMO. I thought I could get more pizz sound with more tension and ordered a set, and after playing them for about a month, went right back to the 370F's and realized I had made a mistake. I love the Corelli's but they just don't project well enough without an amp for my bass.

I wondered when I got the 370TX set if something was wrong with the E string....

Maybe someone else has some input about the Corellis.

I have been using the Corellis for years. I've tried other brands but keep coming back to the Corellis. I tried the 370TX briefly, but went back to the 370F. I'm thinking I should have kept the TX low E on there. Maybe I'll try it again.

I thought that since my bass is getting tighter that the 370M might be better, and keep the 370F low E. But the 370F E is a bit too floppy....not sure what to do.

If you think your bass doesn't project with the Corellis, I'm sure it's more your bass than the strings. The Corellis make my Kolstein Guarneri sing, but they don't work so great on my King plywood. That bass likes the Spirocore Weichs.

I wish Corelli tried offering some other different types of bass strings....maybe like a sythetic gut string that bows amazing. Maybe it's just cause too many other companies do it but no one does it well yet.

DaveAceofBass · #7 11-27-2007, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehochberg

You probably need a shorter soundpost fitted for those months as the bass contracts.

Maybe, but I bought my bass a year ago in the winter and the soundpost was adjusted then. If anything, I might need a summer post.

What I meant was my strings seem higher and tighter.

**Francois Blais** · #8 11-28-2007, 08:29 AM

When the weather changes, the neck moves, mainly in the heel area I think, which makes the action go higher or lower.
So I heard.

Bruce Lindfield · #9 11-28-2007, 08:58 AM

I don't notice it - but I think our weather is more moderate and we don't get the dry atmosphere that you do in the Americas - it's always fairly damp here!

Jason Hollar · #10 11-28-2007, 01:26 PM

I love the way my bass is playing now...just had to raise the action a bit.

The summers here are very humid (we've got 3 Rivers you know!) and my bass always feels terribly stiff.

The drier winters are much better for the bass action, but rougher on the hands...fingers tend to split more...

I miss those fun Colorado winters!

Jason Hollar · #11 11-28-2007, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

I don't notice it - but I think our weather is more moderate and we don't get the dry atmosphere that you do in the Americas - it's always fairly damp here!

Did you guys see that wash out Steelers game Monday night -- I'd say it's fairly damp here too!

I'm surprised my bass hasn't exploded. Oh wait...it did when I moved here three years ago...

Flo'Daddy · #12 11-28-2007, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Hollar

Did you guys see that wash out Steelers game Monday night -- I'd say it's fairly damp here too!

I'm surprised my bass hasn't exploded. Oh wait...it did when I moved here three years ago...

Hey Jason,
That happened to a great bass player friend of mine about 5 years ago when he moved from Colorado to Chicago....$2000 later it was good as "used"

-- an 80 year old European bass.

Sorry all, I just like saying "good as used"...

John

DaveAceofBass · #13 12-01-2007, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Hollar

Did you guys see that wash out Steelers game Monday night -- I'd say it's fairly damp here too!

I'm surprised my bass hasn't exploded. Oh wait...it did when I moved here three years ago...

I grew up in the Pittsburgh area. I studied with Dave Pellow, and a little with Jeff Mangone. I love Dave though, he's such a great musician and wonderful teacher. I might be coming to Duquesne in a few years, depending on what is happening here for me. If you see any of those guys, tell them hello for me.

Jason Hollar · #14 12-01-2007, 07:58 PM

I took one lesson from Dave when I first moved here.

He's such a killer player. I just couldn't see ditching my Simandl cave-man bass style for his Rabbath solo method!

I have yet to hang with Jeff -- but I do play with guitarist Ken Karsh and Mike Tomaro from time to time.

Duquesne is a great school -- I wish I could afford to go there! Dave teaches at CMU.

Jason Hollar · #15 12-01-2007, 08:04 PM

Yeah --

The summer I moved here was super hot & humid...and we had no AC then.

My sound post basically fell over and I've had several splits on the top I've been dealing with -- not bad -- but not good in the long run.

At least I have Shank -- he's only three hours away. He said he'd have to take off the top to repair the cracks correctly.

Can't do that right now...maybe over the winter...sometime before next summer!

DaveAceofBass · #16 12-02-2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Hollar

I took one lesson from Dave when I first moved here.

He's such a killer player. I just couldn't see ditching my Simandl cave-man bass style for his Rabbath solo method!

I have yet to hang with Jeff -- but I do play with guitarist Ken Karsh and Mike Tomaro from time to time.

Duquesne is a great school -- I wish I could afford to go there! Dave teaches at CMU.

I've met Mike. He mentioned maybe allowing me to be a grad assistant soon, but I'm not sure if this is the time. I'm really busy down here.

I auditioned at CMU but crumpled in front of Jeff Turner. Dave was pulling for me to be a TA--which he doesn't have. But, things didn't work in my favor. I'd love another opportunity to really study with Dave. He was my mentor when I was younger, and if it weren't for him, I'd probably not have become a professional. Give him my love if you see him.

DaveAceofBass · #17 12-02-2007, 04:02 PM

PS--

Jason...great playing on your website.

Jason Hollar · #18 12-03-2007, 07:07 AM

Thanks bud. Those recordings were over 6 years ago -- I THINK I'm much better now!

That would be cool if you made it back to the Burgh -- I checked out your profile...

I had a hang with Paul Thompson a few weeks ago (I get to sub for Paul in the Billy Price Band from time to time -- but that's an EB gig) and of course, there's always the legendary Dwayne Dolphin playing around town on a weekly basis. There's also a great player named Mark Perna who lurks around TB AKA Calivox...

I've had a steady stream of jobs here...it's a good music town...lots of jazz history.

Back to the thread though -- I had to goose my action up a bit, yet again. Even though it's still raining a lot (did you see the Steeler game last night -- it was pouring AGAIN!) the overall humidity is down, the heaters are on...so the bass is settling down even more.

I can see why some people go with a lighter string in the summer for this reason.