Heavy strings for heavy bass?

[stefaniw80401]

Does it make sense that a heavy bass (42" 3/4 2003 Romanian carved flatback with thick'ish top) would need heavy strings like flex '92 stark, flex orig or spiro stark? Or would lighter strings (i.e. Evah or Spiro weichs, Corelli, Jargar, and such) be a better match?

I'm trying to figure out what strings would work best at driving the top on this bass -- I'd like it to really open up with the volume in the upper register. It seems like I'm always "overplaying" this bass -- which is bad for my technique. Sound post has been played with a bit over the last two years, and recently I took some mass out from the bridge -- which helped a little.

I have not tried the lighter end of things. Evah's were pretty good -- but they're dead now after a year of steady play (mostly arco). I had an Olive G on with the aging Evah's, and that was pretty good.

I just put on a set of BelCantos. The G string sings pretty good but still not enough volume, D string is not bad, but the A and E are kinda thumpy.

Set of Spiro mittle's were really uneven. The G string whined in the upper register, the D string stuck out too much, and the A string was comparatively "dead". The E string is just "OK" and gets thumpy at the neck joint.

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Depending on the style you're playing, I'd say that it's possible. On my old german/Czech carved bass, which was built like a tank, I eneded up putting spiro starks on it to get it to open up and sing (for examples, check the "Java Men" clips on my site). With my newer bass, I can get the same singing quality with Dominants, which are a somewhat lighter string. YMMV, as always.

[William Hoffman]

interesting. i've been wondering the same thing.

i've a carved flatback with a "thickish" top. the bass itself is heavy for its size. it's not huge lengthwise, it's your average 3/4, but it is thick and solidly built and weighs in at about 22 lbs, has 23cm ribs (almost 10"). deep sound, not bright.

not all strings will drive it. with Belcantos the E and A were too indistinct. the G and D were the best bowing string i'd ever heard, so for about a year i played Spiro Mittel E, Weich A, and BCs D and G. Then Evahs, but soon reverted to the Spiro Mittel E and Weich A, with Evah D and Oliv G, for another year or so.

Now there are Spiro Mittels G, D, and A and Stark E on it. i've been thinking the same thought as you: the heavier bass needs the additional tension of the heavier strings. the bass just rings out and the sustain is unbelievable. best i've ever heard this bass sound. the D sticks out just a bit, too, the A less so.

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by stefaniw80401

Set of Spiro mittle's were really uneven. The G string whined in the upper register, the D string stuck out too much, and the A string was comparatively "dead". The E string is just "OK" and gets thumpy at the neck joint.

Your spiro experience makes me think that there is something with the bass itself that isn't right. The whiny G string seems to be par for the course, at least when they are new, but that much variation in sound of the other strings is strange. Spiros have always been very consistent sounding on my basses. I would get opinions from a couple of good luthiers to find out what might be done.

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by ehochberg

Your spiro experience makes me think that there is something with the bass itself that isn't right. The whiny G string seems to be par for the course, at least when they are new, but that much variation in sound of the other strings is strange. Spiros have always been very consistent sounding on my basses. I would get opinions from a couple of good luthiers to find out what might be done.

Good point Eric. Sounds like that sound post is too tight...

[stefaniw80401]

I'll check the SP for tightness.

There are "tricks" to get the SP to fit looser -- for example -- resetting the SP while resting your hand slightly on the top over the SP, introduces a small pre-load. To fit tighter, one can lift the top a little by the edge of the f-hole. Generally, I like to set mine au-natural after letting the top rest a little -- then put my hand on the top to keep it from falling over till I get a little string tension going. Does this all sound right to you guys?

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by stefaniw80401

I'll check the SP for tightness.

There are "tricks" to get the SP to fit looser -- for example -- resetting the SP while resting your hand slightly on the top over the SP, introduces a small pre-load. To fit tighter, one can lift the top a little by the edge of the f-hole. Generally, I like to set mine au-natural after letting the top rest a little -- then put my hand on the top to keep it from falling over till I get a little string tension going. Does this all sound right to you guys?

I think the post should be just snug enough to stay up on its own without string pressure if it is correctly fitted. I've never seen a pro luthier putting pressure on the top like that. Is that right, luthiers? Maybe you need a longer post.