I may need to find a new D and G

[JLubinsky-Mast]

For the last month or so I have been using a setup with Spirocore weichs on my E and A string and obligatos on thbe D and G. Last weekend I was playing in a quartet with piano guitar and drums, and it seemed from my perspective that the oblgatos were getting wiped out by the guitar. It wasn't a volume issue, as the whole band played at a fairly even level. I just felt that i wasn't cutting through the guitar frequencies for lack of a better explanation. Has anyone experienced this with obligatos before? Any recomendations for a string that has similar characteristics?

[Peck_Time]

Yeah I found that with Obligatos too on my bass. Now I've got plain gut G and D with Spiro Mittels on the A and E.

Other options in the Synthetic world are Velvet Animas (very good for pizz, not so much for bowing), Dominants (good for Arco and Pizz) or Kolsteins or Innovations or Evahs... There's HUGE choice at the moment in EVERY type of string!

[salcott]

You might try talking to your guitarist about EQ. A lot of jazzbo guitar guys like a very dark sound (think ES 335, neck pickup, tone rolled all the way back) which on the lower strings can eat up a lot of your sonic territory, particularly if you're not amplified. Be diplomatic, though; it can be a touchy subject.

[Uncletoad]

Obligati are overrated in my book. Weich E\A with Belcanto D\G would cut well. Nice and dark up there.

[triplelutz]

UncleToad....I'm always diggin your posts and responses. I'm coming from D/G guts (golden spiral) with Thomastic A/E Mittels....

Recently I put on all Spirocore Mittels....Im diggin it but I want slightly more beef on the top two, without sacrificing the singing quality that only those Spirocores have.

Suggestions? Dominants? Bel Cantos?

[robgrow]

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

Obligati are overrated in my book.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

Weich E\A with Belcanto D\G would cut well. Nice and dark up there.

That is what I've been using on my flatback bass for some time. I've found it's a good compromise for pizz and arco.

[triplelutz]

I don't do too much arco, but I still like the dark sound of guts but need more sustain. So you're a fan of the Bel Cantos?

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by triplelutz

Recently I put on all Spirocore Mittels....Im diggin it but I want slightly more beef on the top two, without sacrificing the singing quality that only those Spirocores have.

Suggestions? Dominants? Bel Cantos?

Either would be worthy of a trial.

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by triplelutz

I don't do too much arco, but I still like the dark sound of guts but need more sustain. So you're a fan of the Bel Cantos?

The D and G are compelling pizz mixed with Spiros and a good steel string to try after Gut. Not nearly the same but good nonetheless.

[clink]

Phil,
The Obli G on my bass sounds a bit thinner, brighter than the Mittel D,A and certainly the Stark E. The Spiros are developing a nice fat fundamental. I always thought the Obli's were fairly dark, but what's up?

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by clink

Phil,
The Obli G on my bass sounds a bit thinner, brighter than the Mittel D,A and certainly the Stark E. The Spiros are developing a nice fat fundamental. I always thought the Obli's were fairly dark, but what's up?

I dunno man I think obligastos suck. I've never understood what anyone sees in them.

[MT Spaces]

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

I dunno man I think obligastos suck. I've never understood what anyone sees in them.

Papa T speaks his mind as usual ... good enuff for me . Lots of bluegrass players swear by 'em but some of 'em also seem to like SuperNyls . Never tried either ... don't think I will neither. The Gamut Pistoys G & D are swell and the Innovation SS's (non-slaps) I have used seem to be a reasonable back-up position, but I'm not playing jazz.

When The Toad Speaks .... I mostly listen up . To the OP ... someone else mentioned the Velvet Animas.... they have got to be a good option. What about Garbo G & D for a beefier sound over the Animas ? I haven't tried them meself ..... but if they are anything like the Garbo A & E I have... I would be happy with Garbo G & D as a next step down from my Gamut Pistoys. But what the heck do I know ? Lotsa choices ......... spend those Canadian $$$$ and find out for yourself .

[Phil Rowan]

Dominants might be a good choice. My Kay is strung with pretty old Spiro Mittels and a Dominant G. The Dominant sound is close enough to a gut sound, and is easier to bow than Animas or a Mittel G.

In my experience, the Animas put out a beefy enough sound and were easier to work with than the Garbos (pizz). I felt that the Animas were a little closer in gauge to the guts I used to use (Chorda G), though the D was slightly thinner than the Lezner D I had (which was a good thing). See if you can find anyone who has Animas/Dominants and would let you try out their bass. Either of these may be a good fit for the "dark sound of guts" but with a good amount of sustain.

[JLubinsky-Mast]

Cool. I was going to check out the belcanto set, so this is a nice little push in the BC direction. I used animas for the longest time and absolutely loved them, however, I need something that allows me to bow with more ease. The oblis were great for that except the more I've played with them, the more I've noticed that they just don't seem to provide a clean note.

[jmpiwonka]

i haven't tried most of the strings mentioned but you might also consider the evah pirazzi G and D. they are probably my fav. strings at this point. i even put oliv G and D back on after some setup changes. the D string just ain't clear enough up the neck for me so back on went the EP's and man, those G and D are sweet. bow nice. clear pizz., semi thick diameter, nice tension, decent volume pizz...

[Jason Hollar]

I was talking with one of my favorite guitar players about this the other day.

I work in several guitar trios and I think it has much more to do with their amp settings than the bass strings.

My G/D Oblis and A/E Spiros sound great on piano trio gigs...but I think the darker/louder guitar tones muddy up the acoustic (and amplified) bass sound in general.

Obviously every combination of musician/gig/room is completely different, but in general, I prefer working with pianists for that very reason -- I feel like I don't have to dig in or fight for my "sonic space" near as much.