Gamut Virgin

Superbird · #1 01-29-2013, 03:47 PM

Wound up my first set of Gamuts last night. A Pistoy D and Lyon G, both medium on a Shen ply with high setup. Garbo E and A.

The D is voice of god, best string ever on my bass. The G is a bit stiffer and a bit brighter sounding making me think the Pistoy G, maybe a heavy, might have been a better match? I've read most of the threads and the stock Gamut set seemed to be the best first try.

Will have to see how they settle. Much fun reading about these. Glad I stepped up to the Gamut plate...

DC Bass · #2 01-29-2013, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superbird

Wound up my first set of Gamuts last night. A Pistoy D and Lyon G, both medium on a Shen ply with high setup. Garbo E and A.

The D is voice of god, best string ever on my bass. The G is a bit stiffer and a bit brighter sounding making me think the Pistoy G, maybe a heavy, might have been a better match? I've read most of the threads and the stock Gamut set seemed to be the best first try.

Will have to see how they settle. Much fun reading about these. Glad I stepped up to the Gamut plate...

I too have Gamuts on a Shen ply. They take some time to settle in- they should become pitch stable anywhere from a few days to a week or so, but their tone will continue to appreciate for months and months! If you think the D sounds good now, wait a little while!

Lyons are nice, but I prefer the way Pistoys perform arco. I have Pistoy mediums for my A, D and G, and a copper wound medium E- medium high action.

The good news is that if you decide to try a Pistoy G you will have no problem selling the Lyon- give it some time though.

Welcome to the dark side of the dark side!

Joe

Jake deVilliers · #3 01-29-2013, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC Bass

Welcome to the dark side of the dark side!

I like it - the "lowest of the low!"

Superbird · #4 01-30-2013, 06:43 AM

Thanks DC, yes, way too early to move the G around. First practice tonight with 'em. Took a while to pull the trigger on these, but so good so far. This will be an adventure. Time to go tune up some more ;-)

Phil Rowan · #5 01-30-2013, 07:04 AM

Yeah, give 'em time, for sure. Let them blossom into the great strings they are.

I have medium Lyon D and G on my Kay. Lately been thinking of switching to either medium+ or heavy (this time Pistoy D/Lyon G), but of course it'd have to wait a while, even if I sell the medium D and G. If.

Superbird · #6 01-30-2013, 01:52 PM

My bass really needs volume from open G on up so this is a good start I think... A heavy Pistoy might be less volume depending on how my bass likes the tension. I'll report back. Maybe start a Gamut / Ply thread

DC Bass · #7 01-30-2013, 03:16 PM

The difference from gauge to gauge in plain gut is rather subtle- I really doubt there would be enough noticeable tension increase that it would choke your bass and cause you to lose volume. What I would expect you to notice moving up a gauge is a little more "stiffness"...not sure that's the best word, but it's all I can think of at the moment. It's not at all like bumping up a gauge in steel strings.

Joe

Phil Rowan · #8 01-30-2013, 03:48 PM

Joe, that's pretty much what I mean when I say I want to maybe check out Med+ or Heavy someday. I'm loving the medium Lyons but there are some times when I wish the strings were a tad stiffer (which is definitely not to say they're loose either.. Lezners take the cake for that, IME).

Superbird · #9 03-03-2013, 08:15 AM

Well the D and G have pretty much settled at this point, just some temperature shifts now and then. They continue to be the best I've installed in 14 years of doghouse playing. Especially the Pistoy D, just gigantic warmth and volume. Amplified or unplugged. The Lyon G is mellowing on the brightness which I got on install and it feels very nice. Will see, the Pistoy G may be just too hard to resist. You can really see what Dan says about the flexibility on the Pistoy. So supple on the finger. I'm working these in a roots project now... Lot's of pizz and slap happening. A few hairs on the D are coming up, nothing that a lighter can't easily solve. I've mated these to some Innovation golden slaps on E & A. Was curious about the tension match to the Gamuts. They are good, however, they can't make the volume or shear beauty of the Gamuts, not a fair fight of course. Playable, but I may be searching for a new bottom at some point. Oh, and need to get some almond oil on the Gamuts, protect that investment!

samriley · #10 03-04-2013, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Rowan

Joe, that's pretty much what I mean when I say I want to maybe check out Med+ or Heavy someday. I'm loving the medium Lyons but there are some times when I wish the strings were a tad stiffer (which is definitely not to say they're loose either.. Lezners take the cake for that, IME).

Interesting thread, it has been a long time since I have tried Gamuts and I don't remember if they were the pistoys or lyons, probably the pistoys...years ago I borrowed some from a friend to try on my old flat back, but I've never tried them on my lady head bass, my everyday gig bass.
Also it's been many years since I played Lenzners, and that was on a different bass again. Do you think they have a lower tension and feel loose??
Have you guys tried DD's strings?? http://www.damianstrings.com/doublebass.htm
These are awesome. I'd have to dig out the old packets or hunt through old emails to tell you exactly what gauge I had of those, but his plain D & G's are very fine strings. I wasn't as happy with the wrapped E & A, but thats just on my bass. These D & G are now my spares, as I have recently restrung with a full set of NOS Artones. Best guts ever. But, the DD's are very close in tone, gauge, feel, tension, and they've got plenty of life left in them after 2 years of heavy playing.
Sorry to get off topic but perhaps try these instead of the pistoy G? Just an idea.

Superbird · #11 03-04-2013, 09:39 PM

I have checked out the DDs online, look like a great string. Haven't heard of the Artones. Will look those up, thanks...

The Pistoy G may be too hard to resist. That D is the bomb!

samriley · #12 03-05-2013, 06:26 AM

The DD's are happening. and the Artones are the old stock from many years ago.
There are many gut string makers since then but (to my ears/experience) cant quite match that of the late 50's Artones.
Anything pre- 1962, you're listening to Artone gut strings.
But, in the same argument, if you think your current D is 'the bomb' then, from experience the G will only be better. the G is often a better string than the D from the same maker. what I mean is, the D can sometimes give a thumpy and undefined tone, but if you are happy with that particular D on your bass, then the G of the same maker is 'hopefully' (and I say this because it is still a gamble) going to be great!!

Superbird · #13 03-05-2013, 08:02 PM

D is pretty much the best note on my bass. That string has always had great response regardless of brand. I will take a hard look at the DDs before I move the G around... Or the E and A for that matter.

Superbird · #14 04-12-2013, 09:49 AM

Still digging the Gamuts, although is seems my fingers are sand paper. Nothing new, I've always frayed guts. I spoke to Dan at Gamut about this, and he recommends 600 grit wet/dry 3M silicon carbide paper you can get at any hardware outlet. Clip off anything long with nail clippers and smooth then out...