Lenzor or Efrano?

TroyK · #1 10-18-2007, 12:39 PM

Old school jazz. I know. I know, I really do. Gamuts and things in that price range are not an option. Gut-like steel and synthetic strings are not an option. I'm just the middle man here, Can someone with some experience help me understand these two choices and their sub-choices: Varnished vs not. wrapped A vs not. wrapped E vs not.

I've read everything. I know what you hard core gut cats are doing. I'm just trying to decide between these two choices.

I've ruled out LaBellas based on review of archieves, but if I've overlooked a better option IN THIS PRICE RANGE, then let me know about that too, please.

Thanks in advance.

Troy

liam_g · #2 10-18-2007, 12:54 PM

Subscribing, as I'm *Very* interested as well.

p.s. hey Troy ... hope things are well in Seattle!

TroyK · #3 10-18-2007, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liam_g

p.s. hey Troy ... hope things are well in Seattle!

Things are indeed, thanks and back atcha.

**Francois Blais** · #4 10-18-2007, 01:17 PM

The Clef guts are quite affordable too.
Hopefully someone will compare them with your selection?

TimoMetzemakers · #5 10-18-2007, 01:28 PM

I only have experience with Chordas and Gamuts, but I'm pretty confident that a typical set for old school jazz would be plain gut G and D, and wrapped gut A and E.

I've used varnished and unvarnished gut strings, and I have no clear preference for either. Some people have reported that unvarnished gut strings are harder to bow, but that hasn't been my experience (with unvarnished Gamuts).

Varnished strings are also supposed to be somewhat more resistant. That hasn't been my experience either, but then again, I have pretty dry hands. Maybe you just should get varnished strings to be on the safe side.

I'll let others weigh in on the Lenzner vs. Efrano issue.

Phil Rowan · #6 10-18-2007, 01:55 PM

I have no experience with Lezners, but...

I used an Efrano plain D and a Chorda plain G for a majority of the time I played gut. I got the kind of sound I was after from those with no problem. The Efrano D was better for me than the Chorda D, since the Chorda D is so thick and, IME, lacked the clarity I need. The Chorda G is a bit thicker than the Efrano G, but not enough to lack clarity. I liked the Chorda G because of it's thickness, which gave it a bigger sound than the Efrano G. IME, the Efrano D and Chorda G complement each other quite well.

Mr.Phil · #7 10-18-2007, 03:26 PM

I had the Lenzners on my Kay before I sold it, not a bad sound for jazz at all. Nice creamy and thick. I had a wrapped E, but if I had to do it again, I'd get a wrapped A too. The A wasn't bad, but could have used a tad more definition. If you have any other questions about them, I'd be happy to try and answer.

TroyK · #8 10-18-2007, 04:40 PM

Just ordered a set with a wrapped E and A at Bob's suggestion. Thanks for the feedback.

All Hail!

liam_g · #9 10-18-2007, 06:36 PM

Awesome, Troy ... looking forward to your review!

Cheers

JeffKissell · #10 10-18-2007, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyK

Just ordered a set with a wrapped E and A at Bob's suggestion. Thanks for the feedback.

All Hail!

The nice thing about that set is that you could add an unwound A for not too much more money.

I have a friend who has a complete set of unwound gut from (All Hail)Bob G and the sound of his bass was the reason I took the plunge with the Dlugolecki's.

Good luck!

-J

bovinator · #11 10-20-2007, 07:46 PM

does anyone know if the lenzners are varnished or unvarnished?

**Francois Blais** · #12 10-21-2007, 09:29 AM

Check this:
http://www.gollihurmusic.com/product...fm?ProdID=1456

Here's an excerpt:

Quote:

Gut strings do require a little maintenance, it is advisable to gently clip any "hairs" (hair-like little strands of gut that that develop with play). You may also want to oil them (walnut oil, most pure vegetable oils can do) for the longest life, especially if you are in a dry climate or go through dry periods.

I take that means they're unvarnished.

Nice day,
François

Uncletoad · #13 10-21-2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francois

I take that means they're unvarnished.

I get little hairs on my varnished strings too. Just not all that many.

Bobby King · #14 10-21-2007, 09:57 AM

You can also use light sandpaper to remove hairs on gut strings.

In other gut news -- I had an old wound A where the windings were loose so I removed the windings (that took a long time!) and now it makes a great plain gut G!

ctxbass · #15 10-21-2007, 12:17 PM

New life for an old string

Bobby King · #16 10-21-2007, 12:41 PM

Hey ctxbass --

That's funny. Seems like a wound A core is about the same thickness as a G. I tried it with an E for a D too, not bad, I'll use it for a spare. But man, it takes about 45 minutes to unwind the damn things!

ctxbass · #17 10-21-2007, 11:19 PM

Yes, tedious labor at that!
I do like to unwind after a gig though.