Help me with the E string hunt

thesneakyjesus · #1 02-12-2008, 12:35 AM

Hey guys,
I've got such a rad set up now that I love, but I'm just teaking it a bit.

I've got a pair of Olives on the top and a pair of dominants on the bottom.

My problem is that my E string just isn't powerful enough for me. The A string is doing about 85% of what I want it to do as well. The D and G sound amazing with the olives, but the low end is just suffering a bit as far as volume goes.

The thing is I really love the way the two blend together tone-wise.. as far as the gut-like thump. They both bow pretty well (except my A string which always have an awful woof tone that's kinda metallicy).

So.. I'm looking for a replacement E string.. maybe an A as well. Any ideas?

**Francois Blais** · #2 02-12-2008, 07:25 AM

Olivs?
Eudoxas?

Phil Rowan · #3 02-12-2008, 08:18 AM

Stark Spiro E? If you can find a well worn Spiro Mittel E too, give it a try.

Marcus Johnson · #4 02-12-2008, 09:49 AM

That's what I was thinking... a nicely broken in Mittel E & A, or Stark E if you and your bass can handle it.

My EP E gives me a nice full low end, but the Spiros are more of a sure bet on most basses.

Bobby King · #5 02-12-2008, 10:37 AM

"Gut like thump" and "bow pretty well" aren't always qualities that are easy to find in one string.
Olive E&A are too dead for pizz, it seems that only arco players are happy with them. The Eudoxas are better in terms of clarity and sustain. I find that they don't bow as well as the Olive G&D and are not the easiest to play for pizz either.

The Evah Pirazzis may be worth a try. They have all the qualities you're looking for, but as Marcus pointed out, they seem to perform better on some basses than others. A similar string is the Innovation 140 H.

If arco is not a big priority, Velvet Anima and Garbo are nice strings, loud and gut-like thump. But not great for arco.

Of the steels, I like Thomastik Superflexibles. They seem to be less bright and bow better than Spirocore. Both will match up with your Olives best once they get to be older and lose some of the initial brightness.

Good luck!

greitzer · #6 02-12-2008, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesneakyjesus

Hey guys,
I've got a pair of Olives on the top and a pair of dominants on the bottom.

My problem is that my E string just isn't powerful enough for me. The A string is doing about 85% of what I want it to do as well. The D and G sound amazing with the olives, but the low end is just suffering a bit as far as volume goes.

The thing is I really love the way the two blend together tone-wise.. as far as the gut-like thump....So.. I'm looking for a replacement E string.. maybe an A as well. Any ideas?

Sneaky -- I haven't used Olivs, so I can't tell you for sure which strings will blend best, but based on your description of the sound and feel you're looking for, and the metallic nature of your A, you might think about Thomastik Belcantos, or Pirastro Flexocors. Neither of these strings sound very steely, and they're pretty bow-friendly.

I think one of the previous responses mentioned Superflexibles, which so far has been the best E string I've ever used on my bass (it's the only E that has ever really "sung" on my bass), but to my ear it is definitely a steel-sound string and I'm not sure how well it it would work with the Olivs.

Uncletoad · #7 02-12-2008, 10:13 PM

Louder than a Dom with as much as or more low end....

My first choice would be the Spiro Stark E after about 3 or 4 weeks of playing until it broke or wouldn't stay in tune anymore.

Mittel if your bass or hands can't take it.

Permanent is a possiblity although I don't dig them all that much they are nice and loud.

I did Spiro stark E Dom A and Oliv D and G before. Nice mix for me, I'd do it again.

thesneakyjesus · #8 02-13-2008, 01:38 AM

thanks for all your responses. I'm really excited!

So, I think the first thing I'm going to try is the spiro stark E. The thread on it really makes me want to check it out and everyone seems such a fan. Any ideas on an A string that might bridge the gap as well?

and to clarify

I'm about 90% pizz. I use the bow to practice intonation, but that's all.

Uncletoad · #9 02-13-2008, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesneakyjesus

thanks for all your responses. I'm really excited!

So, I think the first thing I'm going to try is the spiro stark E. The thread on it really makes me want to check it out and everyone seems such a fan. Any ideas on an A string that might bridge the gap as well?

and to clarify

I'm about 90% pizz. I use the bow to practice intonation, but that's all.

Try it with the Dom A first.