Jazz string HELP!!!!

misterda1 · #1 01-17-2010, 04:54 AM

Im about to buy my first upright bass and i want to make sure that i buy the right strings for what the style i wanna play.

I know that its the feeling & spirit of the player that makes the sound but strings are important too. My favourite players include Paul Chambers and Jimmy Garrison, i also like Ray Brown.

Any advice on strings?

bassist1962 · #2 01-17-2010, 11:34 AM

Everyone here will probably agree. Start with Spirocores.

PsychoScout · #3 01-17-2010, 11:35 AM

lol, i'd say Obligato is the way to go, sorry...

I started with Spirocores (red-red), and I much prefer Obligatos or Evahs

doberman · #4 01-17-2010, 12:07 PM

You can't really get a Jimmy Garrison or Paul Chambers tone without playing gut strings. That said, I wouldn't recommend that as a starting place. I would say start with Spiros because they will last you a very long time, and you can forget about the strings and focus on just playing the bass.

As for as the other suggestions, I haven't had very good luck in terms of longevity with Obligatos, once you take them off the bass they don't hold up too well to being restrung. They seem more prone to breakage than other strings I have tried. I don't care for Evahs (orchestral gauge, I found them too tight), though I still have them on my backup bass. The Evah Weichs come highly recommended though, sounds like they are quite a bit different than the orchestral gauge, though still relatively high tension compared to other stuff thats out there.

In the beginning though, I would say that strings don't matter so much and you are better off putting that energy into learning to play the instrument. Any of those would be fine, though Spirocores are usually the default string.

PsychoScout · #5 01-17-2010, 12:13 PM

I agree about the tension on the Evah's, but I must say that I'm really starting to get used to it. (after one month).
They were on the bass I bought, when i'm going to put new ones, I think i'll go for Obligato or the Evah Weichs.

@ topicstarter: do you play arco as well?

Marcus Johnson · #6 01-17-2010, 12:56 PM

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Evah Weichs for your needs, misterda1. Spiros are the usual "go to" string for most new players, and I agree with that sentiment. But with your set of influences, I think the Evah Weichs could be a viable alternative. They're darker and a little more damped than the Spiros, and they may give you a little bit more of that old school vibe that your post suggests you might be looking for. BTW, those guys are all my main influences as well.

My Evahs are a year old and going strong. They're combined with Gamut guts on the top two strings, and it works really well.

misterda1 · #7 01-17-2010, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Evah Weichs for your needs, misterda1. Spiros are the usual "go to" string for most new players, and I agree with that sentiment. But with your set of influences, I think the Evah Weichs could be a viable alternative. They're darker and a little more damped than the Spiros, and they may give you a little bit more of that old school vibe that your post suggests you might be looking for. BTW, those guys are all my main influences as well.

My Evahs are a year old and going strong. They're combined with Gamut guts on the top two strings, and it works really well.

thanks for the advice, i heard samples of guys playing with spirocores and i didn't like the sound, they sounded too bright, and i want to get a deep sound like P.C.

These are strings i can choose from:

http://www.londonviolins.com/Accesso...s_strings.html

Jaromir · #8 01-17-2010, 03:28 PM

Please let's not forget that Ray Brown (mentioned among other influences) used Spirocores for second half of his career. Which means he went from gut to Spiros, not the other way around :-)

Greg Clinkingbeard · #9 01-17-2010, 03:43 PM

I believe Ray's bass was quite dark though, and don't forget his hands! As much as I like Spiros, I don't think the odds of getting a warm, fat sound with them on a NEW bass are very good.

drurb · #10 01-17-2010, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

I believe Ray's bass was quite dark though, and don't forget his hands! As much as I like Spiros, I don't think the odds of getting a warm, fat sound with them on a NEW bass are very good.

Don't forget the other great strings Ray used (see my avatar).

Greg Clinkingbeard · #11 01-17-2010, 09:54 PM

Sorry Mister, I forgot. You need to get a set of Lycons. If you can find some, let me know.

drurb · #12 01-18-2010, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

Sorry Mister, I forgot. You need to get a set of Lycons. If you can find some, let me know.

Well, given the right price!

duckyincarnate · #13 01-18-2010, 09:27 AM

Misterda1,

Since you are in the UK you could also consider getting Innovation Jazz strings, which are nylon-core like Obligatos and Evahs and very good value in the UK. They also have a fairly dark sound. I think a set will cost you 69 quid - hard to beat!

http://www.stringmail.co.uk/dbass6.htm

misterda1 · #14 01-18-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duckyincarnate

Misterda1,

Since you are in the UK you could also consider getting Innovation Jazz strings, which are nylon-core like Obligatos and Evahs and very good value in the UK. They also have a fairly dark sound. I think a set will cost you 69 quid - hard to beat!

http://www.stringmail.co.uk/dbass6.htm

ok have you used them before?

duckyincarnate · #15 01-18-2010, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misterda1

ok have you used them before?

Yes, I have them on my bass at the moment. They are good strings. Do a little search on this forum, there should be plenty of information on them.

misterda1 · #16 01-24-2010, 12:50 PM

i didnt get enough replies.

Its getting closer to the time im going buy my bass & i need some advice.

My two favourite players are paul chambes and jimmy garrision

These are all the strings i can choose from:

http://www.londonviolins.com/Accesso...s_strings.html

Should i just start off on spirocres?

Uncletoad · #17 01-24-2010, 01:00 PM

I just read that thread. I don't know what you are looking for that you didn't get there.

Nobody can tell you "do this". To many different variables to consider including stuff we don't know on the internet.

From that list I like spirocores. Others may suggest obligato or Innovation pizz.

Pick one, take lessons and practice. The later two will get you much closer to your idols than any string you pick.

Marcus Johnson · #18 01-24-2010, 01:02 PM

I guess I suggested Evah Pirazzi Weichs in your other thread... I'd still go that route as a beginner. From the London Violins link you provided, the Velvet Garbo set might be another option for the sound you're describing... but arco is not really happening on those strings, if that's an issue.

As Uncletoad said.... Spiros are a great starting point for anyone. If you can get some used ones, the sound will probably be close to what you hear in your head. New ones are pretty zzzingy, and you have to play them in for awhile, but the payoff is great and long-lasting.

I still don't know if I would suggest gut strings for a beginner.... but some people (like me) take to them like a duck to water. I just can't imagine playing anything else at this point. I have plain guts on top, and Evahs on the bottom at the moment. For that PC, Wilbur Ware, Mingus type thing, they really work for me. If those guys are your influences, there's a good chance that you'll eventually try some gut strings. I've found that they're also fine for playing more contemporary styles on my bass. Maybe you could persuade a gut player to let you try his or her instrument, just to see what they feel like.

Michael Case · #19 01-24-2010, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

I just read that thread. I don't know what you are looking for that you didn't get there.

Nobody can tell you "do this". To many different variables to consider including stuff we don't know on the internet.

From that list I like spirocores. Others may suggest obligato or Innovation pizz.

Pick one, take lessons and practice. The later two will get you much closer to your idols than any string you pick.

+ 1,000,000 but if I did have to recommend a string choice I'd say Spirocores. They are a good place to start if you're interested in playing jazz.

Uncletoad · #20 01-24-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I guess I suggested Evah Pirazzi Weichs in your other thread... I'd still go that route as a beginner. From the London Violins link you provided...

Having just put a set of the Evah Weichs on my ply bass I'd agree except they aren't on the list.

There are Pirastro Chordas and Lenzer Guts on that list. Frankly I think they are a headache but perhaps if you don't know any better it wouldn't matter. Back when those guys started playing that's what they learned on, so why not. Chordas are better than Lenzer in my view.