Gut+EPs

salcott · #1 01-31-2010, 09:40 AM

Anybody out there tried plain gut G/D with A/E EPs (regular or weich)? I'm using the Clef guts and liking them pretty well, but looking for a bit more punch/focus on the A and E, especially arco. I'm thinking the weich A/E might be a better match tensionwise. Advice/speculation welcomed.

olivieraleman · #2 01-31-2010, 09:56 AM

I recently had Gamut D and G with EP weich A and E. They blended ok, but I was a little concerned how they would amplify, as on my bass with my rig the full EP weich set didnt amp well. The Garbo E and A were better on my bass. As usual, my .02 cents and your mileage may very. John

Kevin Hsieh · #3 01-31-2010, 10:26 AM

i use the garbo and have had good results. it's a different monster to bow though.

Marcus Johnson · #4 01-31-2010, 12:34 PM

Salcott, that's exactly my setup right now; EP Weichs E & A, Gamut Lyon varnished guts G & D. It's working out very well for me in all respects. The tension match is excellent on my bass. These are not new strings BTW, the Evahs are a year old, and the Gamuts were given to me by CALIVOX after he was done with them. They sound fantastic, acoustically or amped, pizz or arco. I have no desire to change anything at the moment.

I was listening to some album tracks I did with that setup just yesterday; I'm digging the sound.

I'm not sure if any of this applies to your bass or with the Clef guts. YMMV. And if you wanted Velvet strings that you can bow on the bottom, you could use Animas instead of Garbos. They are nice and punchy pizz strings, and I never had problems bowing the lower strings (the uppers were another story

)
I haven't tried it, but I have a feeling that guts on top of Animas would be a killer combination.

olivieraleman · #5 01-31-2010, 02:19 PM

I currently have Gamut heavy+ G and D and Fisoma wound A and E, all from Uncletoad. I was also thinking of the Anima E with the Fisoma A, or maybe both Animas on the lower strings, after I give the Fisomas some time. John

Marcus Johnson · #6 01-31-2010, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salcott

Anybody out there tried plain gut G/D with A/E EPs (regular or weich)?

Regarding that part of your question; I've played both EPs extensively, and I feel that the Weichs would be a better match, in general, than the regulars.

The Regulars are a great string... they have a pop on the front end of the note that isn't quite there on the Weichs. I prefer them slightly when playing arco. If you like a stiff string, they're great.

But overall, I'd go with the Weichs for my purposes when pairing with guts on top. They are more flexible, without being mushy, and they feel very natural to me with the Gamuts. When played pizz, they are more focused and a little growlier than the Regulars were. The arco is very nice as well.

Again, YMMV.

salcott · #7 01-31-2010, 09:51 PM

Well, as I had a set of broken in Weichs in the stash, I went ahead and put on the E and A. Got a no amp gig Monday and orchestra on Wednesday, so I should have a pretty good idea how the combination is gonna work out. In my living room, the combination seems pretty good, tensionwise, and the timbre change between the gut E and a and the EPs is not too drastic. The Clef E and A, btw, show zero sign of unwinding both at the peg end and the bridge.

salcott · #8 02-03-2010, 12:14 PM

No amp jazz gig went OK-the tension difference seems minimal; I'm wondering, though-when I got this bass it had Permanents on it, and I changed them immediately because they felt too loose. Anybody tried that combination (gut G,D, Perm A,E)?

Mark Perna · #9 02-03-2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salcott

No amp jazz gig went OK-the tension difference seems minimal; I'm wondering, though-when I got this bass it had Permanents on it, and I changed them immediately because they felt too loose. Anybody tried that combination (gut G,D, Perm A,E)?

I think that was Adrian Cho's set up of choice when he was a gut guy. Try doing a search for his posts.

mark

DrBassie · #10 02-03-2010, 02:51 PM

Everybody's bass is different, but I had EP Weichs on my bass and I know the Animas I have on now would be a better match with gut.

salcott · #11 02-04-2010, 11:35 AM

Meh-I'm back to all gut. In the orchestra, the change in feel under the bow is too much for my minimal chops. If I can find Permanent A/E REAL cheap, I might give them a try.

salcott · #12 02-23-2010, 01:49 AM

Went up to see Arnold-he did a little soundpost tweak, and the bass is sounding great. my only thought right now is whether to go from the Clefs to a slightly heavier Gamut set at some point.