Loud Clear Pizz G?

[bassboyjake]

I'm using Thomastik Spirocore Heavies, and they are sounding good on my bass, but my G is dissapearing, in particular past the F in the 1st octave. Was wondering if there is a louder G, out there. I don't really care about tension or playability...I'd prefer a clear steel sound, and am 90% playing pizz.

Thanks,

-Jake

[Francois Blais]

Pirastro Oliv?

[Marcus Johnson]

Yup.

[Uncletoad]

Are you using Spirocore Starks or Mittels? Heavy could mean either to some people.

Don't overlook that sometimes the soundpost needs adjusting to free up the G string. Moving the soundpost towards the Bottom bout or conversely towards the bridge foot can sometimes open a G String up.

On occasion the top can be choked by to much tension which can decrease the sound from either end of the bass, meaning E string or G string. In that case changing a string or two or three to a lighter gage of Spirocore may open up the top and give you your string back.

It's very common to use a heavier E string and then Lighter A/D/G, like Stark E Mittel A/D/G or Mittel E Wiech A/D/G.

Also the camber in the fingerboard, or lack thereof can create deadspots on a particular string. There having your fingerboard cut properly can improve response.

Not all dead spots or vanishing sounds are due to a failure of the string itself. Consult a luthier if you like the sound of the set of strings you have but think you may need a setup change to make them more usable.

If none of that is at issue I like those Oliv G strings too.

[Jake deVilliers]

"Don't overlook that sometimes the soundpost needs adjusting to free up the G string. Moving the soundpost towards the Bottom bout"

+1

[greitzer]

Originally Posted by bassboyjake

Was wondering if there is a louder G, out there. I don't really care about tension or playability...I'd prefer a clear steel sound, and am 90% playing pizz.

Pirastro Flat Chromesteels and Thomastik Superflexibles both meet that description, based on my experience. I don't know if they'd be any louder than the Spiros you have on, but they have a strong, clear steel sound and are great for pizz.

[martinc]

Originally Posted by bassboyjake

I'm using Thomastik Spirocore Heavies, and they are sounding good on my bass, but my G is dissapearing, in particular past the F in the 1st octave. Was wondering if there is a louder G, out there. I don't really care about tension or playability...I'd prefer a clear steel sound, and am 90% playing pizz.

Thanks,

-Jake

Jake: The Oliv's are always great but if you need a steel string the Bel Canto G is excellent. Not wimpy or rubbery. Lots of presence and volume all the way up the neck. I have been using one for the past couple of months.

[Jeremy Allen]

I fight this battle all the time myself. I am most happy using a Dominant G with a Spiro mittel (red on top and bottom) set; Oliv comes in a close second (it's the best G string in the world, in my opinion, but on my current bass it can either be perfect or it can be too low-tension depending on the weather and where my action is set). I'm pretty happy with an Evah Pirazzi G as well. One of my students uses a Velvet Garbo G with a Spiro mittel E, A, and D, and that actually comes through pretty well (until the bow comes into action).

It's been awhile since I've used them, but in my recollection Superflexible would not be as punchy as a Spiro or Stark G. Every bass is different, though.