Jazz Players---Steel or Synthetic

[mikejdexter]

How many jazz players prefer the modern synthetic string to the steel string? Reasons for your choice? Make? Are synthetic strings suitable to bow?
The reason for asking is, as you know, there is an endless choice of strings out there costing endless amounts of money, hence question.

[Shanty]

I play jazz, and I too would be interested to hear this. I've been looking for a new set of strings, and I'd like to try something different. I wasn't aware there were synthetic strings just for jazz, and I've only been playing upright for a short while. Then again, I don't often pay attention to this stuff.

[JtheJazzMan]

Some "synthetic" strings arent suitable for bowing ie nylon wrapped over steel. Hair and rosin just doesnt seem to grip the surface.

But metal wrapped over a synthetic core is fine for bowing. Ive tried obligatos, evah pirazzis and those synthetic velvets.

The idea seems to be to deliver more of an orchestral arco tone while retaining the jazz pizz sustain and growl.

[fdeck]

I'm a jazz player. I've tried the all-steel Spirocores, and the synthetic-cored Obligato's on my bass. I found the Spiro's to be scratchy under the bow -- an issue because I do a lot of arco soloing, and practicing arco at home. Also, they seemed to be hard on my plucking fingers. In a hurry, I put the Obli's back on G and D, and left the Spiro's on A and E. I actually found very little difference on the A and E, and am not displeased that the Spiro's are reputed to last longer.

Unfortunately, I see no cheap way out of string hell, if you're compelled to find out if there's another brand of strings out there waiting for you to fall in love with. I chalked the expense of my string experiment to the need for a set of spares in my bag.

[LM Bass]

I always suggest that you try a bunch of different D-strings. That way you don't have to spring for whole sets of 4.

Personally, I'm a big fan of Thomastic Dominants, with a Spirocore C/E string on the bottom. Every bass, and player is different though. . .

[tornadobass]

I've decided to go with two separate basses for orchestral and jazz/blues use.

My Epiphone (obviously not the orchestral bass) wears Sensicore strings, steel over synthetic core. Good tuning stability, easy on the hands, and they really sing. They can be bowed quite easily, requiring less pressure than my bass with steel strings. Happily, they don't roll under the fingers like some of the other synthetic core strings.

I liked these strings well enough to be an endorser. They also live on my Bugbass EUB, where they rounded out the sound nicely...some steel strings have been somewhat twangy on that bass.

[tito mangialajo]

GUT!

[joinercape]

I used Spiros for years, and although I am no ace with the bow I had very little trouble with them. I now use D'Addario Hybrids, which to me feel softer under the fingers, respond well to the bow, and after a short (shorter than Spiros by a month or two!) break-in period sound very good on my bass. It doesn't hurt my feelings that they are a LOT cheaper too. But as stated above, there is no getting around trying a few different sets on your own bass. It is inevitable. Best of luck!

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by mikejdexter

How many jazz players prefer the modern synthetic string to the steel string? Reasons for your choice? Make? Are synthetic strings suitable to bow?
The reason for asking is, as you know, there is an endless choice of strings out there costing endless amounts of money, hence question.

There are years of pages of commentary on this website addressing this very question. If you are curious about your options reading all that would be the best most detailed answer for your question.

I tell most people who ask me to just play on Spirocore Mittels for awhile. Really wear the set in for a year or more. They are steel strings that last forever and sound great pizz for jazz. There are easier to play arco strings but the arco on Spiros can be very compelling when you develop the hand for them.

If you took a poll amongst all the Jazz players on DB across the planet you'll probably find Spirocores being the #1 choice for them. If you take a poll here that's not going to be the case because most of these people are internet dorks. They are very particular players with a taste for subtle detail.

Around my town most of the basses on Jazz gigs have stupidly old Spirocores on them. Dead by my tastes but they really sound good that way. There arco is very very good after a year or so. Most of these guys aren't posting on the internet.

Having said that, there is no one optimum string, every player every bass is different, including the players expectations. Lots of players HATE Spirocores.

If you have already spent time with Spirocores or don't want to do that you have a whole bunch of stuff to try. Get out your checkbook.

Thomastic Dominants, Pirastro Evah Pirazzi, Pirastro Obligato and Velvet Animas are alternate core strings that are popular with Jazz players. The Evah and Obligato are the easiest arco strings followed closely by Dominants and then Animas which are like Spirocores under the bow. You should probably try them all.

If you try all those and are still curious you have to read this whole website's string threads to know what's next.

If you choose to experiment I suggest reading this website over the coming weeks and you'll know more than you'd ever want to know about what you ask. Otherwise get a new or used set of Spirocores and play the bass.

[Marc Piane]

Long Live Toadie!!! Great answer.

Really the only reason to **** with strings is because you need a hobby. Otherwise buy some Spiros and play on.

The funny thing is nobody but me notices the difference between Spiros, Oblis, Evahs, Doms, etc. It seems dramatic to me but the cats I play with just notice the silks are a different color.

[Marty Forrer]

Originally Posted by tito mangialajo

GUT!

+1.

[mikejdexter]

Thanks everybody for some great answers & advise---especially 'Uncletoad' & 'Fingers'. Yea!----good advice!

[uprightbass.com]

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

If you take a poll here that's not going to be the case because most of these people are internet dorks.

Had me smiling and nodding ... until the thought that it might include me, crossed my mind. We spend way too much time here instead of playing the bass.

For better or worse, I sound like me whether I'm using synthetic strings or steel. When I switched to synthetic, the only person that noticed was my wife when she saw the credit card bill. I myself noticed a huge positive difference, but we weren't booking more gigs because I had made the switch.

I figured it this way, every time the sax player tries a new reed, the drummer has different cymbals and heads, and tell me how fantastic the new ones are, I usually just nod and think "as long as it works..." I'm sure it's the same thing with the strings.

[lucas vigor]

" as long as it works"


Good point. I find myself occasionally playing rockabilly slap style on my Bel Cantos, NO problem! And the funny thing is, no one notices! Through the amp, it sounds just fine! Actually, better then fine! A well kept secret is that these orchestral double bass strings are just great for slapping!

[Uncletoad]

That's right. Pick your poison and practice. The more you play on any given thing the better you'll sound. The more you type stuff on the internet.....

[lucas vigor]

I hear ya about that internet thing...I practice at minimum 1 hour a day, and if not gigging on the weekends....3-4 hours friday night and Saturday night!

[Marc Piane]

The other side of the string thing though is regardless of what other people think about your sound you'll practice more if it really juices you up. If that means switching things up a bit to keep things fresh than so be it. I gig 15-20 times per month, do recording sessions, and practice daily but I like changing my strings from time to time for the fun of it. Small changes can make you hear things in different ways. I'm about to switch my main bass to Anima E, A, Gut D,G. Part of what intrigues me about this other than the sound (which is glorious) is the touch it totally different so you have to adjust physically how you create.

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by fingers

The other side of the string thing though is regardless of what other people think about your sound you'll practice more if it really juices you up. If that means switching things up a bit to keep things fresh than so be it. I gig 15-20 times per month, do recording sessions, and practice daily but I like changing my strings from time to time for the fun of it. Small changes can make you hear things in different ways. I'm about to switch my main bass to Anima E, A, Gut D,G. Part of what intrigues me about this other than the sound (which is glorious) is the touch it totally different so you have to adjust physically how you create.

Right. That's the other side of the coin...does the change you make inspire you to say something new? In the grand scheme of things you'll always sound like "you" but you may find new parts of you with different input. In that case changing stuff to find something new is useful and sometimes worth the bread.

The thing my commentary here tries to help people avoid is the idea that if you want some kind of change in your playing you can find it in changing your gear. That's the falacy. The best way to find change in your playing is to play more.

[Marc Piane]

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

The thing my commentary here tries to help people avoid is the idea that if you want some kind of change in your playing you can find it in changing your gear. That's the falacy. The best way to find change in your playing is to play more.

You mean I ain't gonna play like Ben Wolfe with guts?

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

The thing my commentary here tries to help people avoid is the idea that if you want some kind of change in your playing you can find it in changing your gear. That's the falacy. The best way to find change in your playing is to play more.

Spot on. I found a bass and some strings that I like (synthetic, BTW, but it could easily have been spiros), and have been trying to stay on the straight and narrow about gear in recent years and get the new stuff from my hands instead of my wallet... which is good, since my my hands are much larger and deeper than my wallet anyway.