Light Gauge Strings for Arthritic hands

bdengler · #1 07-18-2010, 04:43 PM

Please Help!

My arthritis is getting worse, but I found NOT playing the upright bass made my hand worse. Right now I have Belcantos; I love them, but their gauge is too heavy.

Could someone recommend light gauge strings that are still good for bowing?

Many thanks,

Brian

Paul Warburton · #2 07-18-2010, 05:10 PM

Have you tried solo strings tuned to regular pitch?
Good luck.

**Francois Blais** · #3 07-18-2010, 06:04 PM

Belcantos are indeed available in solo gauge too.

Corellis in medium gauge, solo tuning, is probably as thin as you can get with steel.

JtheJazzMan · #4 07-18-2010, 08:04 PM

Let me be the first to jump in with spirocore solos tuned to orchestral, and maybe put the action down a little.

Very easy to play and you still get clarity and decent volume from such a thin string.

TroyK · #5 07-18-2010, 09:28 PM

Solo strings tuned down is a good suggestion. Flexocores reportedly work well this way too.

You might also consider Velvet Compas 180s. They'll be thicker in gauge, but very soft under the fingers, as low in tension likely as the solo-tuned-down solution. I don't have a lot of experience with them, but I played them on a shop bass once I've played other Velvet strings, all of which have the same tensions. 180s should be best for what you do.

If we're taking you too low, then Spirocore Weichs, the Corellis that Francois suggested or maybe something like Obligatos would be an ease down from where you are.

Michael Glynn · #6 07-19-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyK

Solo strings tuned down is a good suggestion. Flexocores reportedly work well this way too.

You might also consider Velvet Compas 180s. They'll be thicker in gauge, but very soft under the fingers, as low in tension likely as the solo-tuned-down solution. I don't have a lot of experience with them, but I played them on a shop bass once I've played other Velvet strings, all of which have the same tensions. 180s should be best for what you do.

I would add that if you are looking at the 180s, you might want to go for the SUIT set, which is lower tension and can be used in either solo or orchestra tuning.

I have also used tuned down solo Dominants on the G and D and thought they sounded and felt good. Quite low tension, but still a nice arco and pizz sound.

If you go for solo-gauge strings, I might recommend that you look at somewhat brighter strings (spirocore, superflexible, dominant, corelli, etc.) because tuned down strings tend to sound darker than when they are up to their full pitch. Solo-gauge flexocores or belcantos might end up being too dark and diffuse sounding. On the other hand, solo-gauge spirocores, while darker and easier bowing than mittles or weichs, still sound like spirocores, so if that's not your thing, you might want something else.

Tha Ridla · #7 07-22-2010, 05:01 PM

I have only played on one bass that had solo strings tuned down, so I may not be the best informed, but this experience was not a good one. The sound did not project or make the bass resonate well.

My advice would be to try spirocore weich gauge. They also sound good with a bow-better than the medium gauge I think.

Good luck!

M

bdengler · #8 07-25-2010, 08:28 AM

Many thanks for the good advice. Temporarily, I've put Permanents on the bass (I had a set) and it helps a bit. I will explore your recommendations. As to the Corelli's, which version? I see packages with red TX and blue packages and they mix me up.

Best, Brian

Michael Glynn · #9 07-25-2010, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdengler

Many thanks for the good advice. Temporarily, I've put Permanents on the bass (I had a set) and it helps a bit. I will explore your recommendations. As to the Corelli's, which version? I see packages with red TX and blue packages and they mix me up.

Best, Brian

Corellis come in a two main lines, each with several gauges.

The ones you probably want to look at are the tungsten wound strings. These are the 360 (solo) and 370 (orchestral) lines. The gauges for each from lightest to heaviest are medium, forte, and forte TX.

So the very lightest (as Francois noted) would be 360 medium, tuned down. These might be way too light, as even the 370 medium (orchestral tuning) are very light gauge and low tension. In my limited experience with Corellis, they are all fairly bright, but still easy to bow.

I played a beautiful, small 19th century Neapolitan bass with 370 mediums and it sounded incredible. The strings were thin and soft, but had a very nice sound both pizz and arco. Of course, that was an incredible bass.

I used 370 forte TX on my bass briefly and they were pretty good. They are more of a medium tension, bright jazz string, though. Still pretty good arco, but probably too much tension for you.

I'd be interested to know what the difference in tension/tone/etc. would be between, say, 370 mediums and 360 forte TX tuned down. I have no idea. But I think the 370 mediums might be a good choice for you.

davpal · #10 07-25-2010, 11:11 AM

I like the Corelli 370F (tungsten) and have had them on my EUB for several years now. Gauges are: .088, .069, .057, .046 Spiro weichs are:.107, .080, .063, .047 So, you can see they are lighter overall, especially on the bottom end. I believe the Corelli's are endorsed by Francois Rabbath so I guess he likes them. Another low tension string that I have enjoyed are the Velvets. I used a set of the Blues on my acoustic double bass for about a year and thought they were great.... easy to hold down, easy to bow and terrific, powerful volume. (and not terribly expensive)

lincland · #11 08-06-2010, 08:01 PM

contact gollihur at his website. he has some kind of condition with his hands and he uses corelli's. I don't recall which kind, but he is very helpful.

Eric Swanson · #12 08-06-2010, 09:11 PM

Belcanto Solos, tuned to orchestra.

Pretty soft on the left hand, yet a pleasing, easily obtained arco sound.

LouisF · #13 03-01-2011, 12:17 PM

Has anyone had any experience with the "regular" 370 F (not the TX tungsten version)?

Thanks

Louis

Mark Perna · #14 03-01-2011, 02:42 PM

Try gut. You wont find an easier on the hands string. Arco has a different sound than steel but everyone who bows on them seems to like them. Gut is expensive though.

seess · #15 03-02-2011, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdengler

Please Help!

My arthritis is getting worse, but I found NOT playing the upright bass made my hand worse. Right now I have r4 Belcantos; I love them, but their gauge is too heavy.

Could someone recommend light gauge strings that are still good for bowing?

Many thanks,

Brian

light gauge strings? difficult

Eric Hochberg · #16 03-02-2011, 07:41 AM

Compas 180 suit tuned orchestra are very easy on the hands. Or try Paul's suggestion of solo strings tuned down, like spiros.

Zeb Norris · #17 03-02-2011, 07:52 AM

I find Glucosamine/MSN/Chondroitin very helpful for my arthritis. It does take a while to build up in the body before you notice an improvement... like 30 days or so.

ERIC A · #18 03-02-2011, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Perna

Try gut. You wont find an easier on the hands string. Arco has a different sound than steel but everyone who bows on them seems to like them. Gut is expensive though.

Plus 1

tornadobass · #19 03-03-2011, 05:55 AM

You might try Sensicores...very easy on the hands and easy to bow, too. I have a set on my old Epiphone and haven't found another string yet that sounds as good on that bass. These strings are also fairly affordable compared to many others.