Most bowable gut?

[Reuben]

What in y'all's opinion are the most bowable gut strings that still pizz great. Many mention Olivs. Are there other good options?

thanks,

[Aaron Cohn]

Olivs and Eudoxas are probably the easiest gut-core strings to bow. As far as plain gut goes, I don't have any real experience with the different brands and finishes etc, but I'm sure others here know more.

Aaron

[DaveAceofBass]

Originally Posted by Aaron Cohn

Olivs and Eudoxas are probably the easiest gut-core strings to bow. As far as plain gut goes, I don't have any real experience with the different brands and finishes etc, but I'm sure others here know more.

Aaron

Kolstein Heritage and Pirastro Obligato are pretty bowable synthetic gut core strings. I prefer the Kolstein strings of the two...

[Reuben]

I've used Obligatos and find their similarity to gut to be superficial.

Are the Kolsteins more gut-like?

I had OK luck with Dominants, but they don't last long enough for me.

[labravajazz]

Well no strings sound gutlike except gut! Thats the honest truth. Of the plain gut strings I have tried the bowable ones are definitely Chorda, Dlugolecki and gamut. Of course the wound ones like Olive and Eudoxa bow easier and sound great too but its a bit different sound and feel.

[FRED BERMAN]

I'VE BEEN USING THE KOLSTEIN HERITAGE FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. I FIND THAT THEY DO DEVELOP A FAIRLY GUT-LIKE WARMTH ONCE BROKEN IN ABOUT A MONTH AND HAVE A GREAT QUICK PIZZ RESPONCE. I ALSO FIND THEM VASTLY MORE BOW FRIENDLY THAN ANY OTHER HYBRID STING THAT I'VE USED,

[labravajazz]

Yes I have used the Kolstein Heritage as well and found them the most gut like of all the synthetics and yes very good hybrid qualities too. Not the equal to gut however - nothing beats the singing and complex tone with all the openness and highs as well as lows that only gut can give! Other than that my vote goes to Heritage strings by far.

[Bobby King]

I have Eudoxas on one of my basses now and the arco is very good, both the tone and response. A little slower response than good steel arco strings, but fine for most things. I've also had Oliv G&D is the past and they also were excellent for arco. My other bass has Gamut guts and while I love them for pizz, I just don't enjoy the sound of them for arco.

[Alexi David]

The following is about plain gut strings.

I'd like to relay what my setup has been lately, and it has been really improving my arco abilities. I play a five string tuned EADGC. The D G C are plain gut. The D is a plain Dlugolecki which is a bit floppy and difficult but here's what I did for the G & C strings: I had two Kaplan D & G strings of which the tynex wrapping had broken off. I made those my G & C strings, by tuning them a fourth up. the result is that I have thicker, higher tension gut strings, that respond MUCH better with arco, and have a punchier louder pizz sound. This is ideal for me, it working out great. I will do the same for a D string, though I'd hesitate to use a plain A as a D string as it's just TOO thick to maneuver well. Maybe someone can make me a custom D with high tension. Anyway, experiment with old gut string you have lying around, you'd be amazed what you can come up with. Cause unlike steel, you can tune them wayyyyyy higher and they will adjust after a few days!

[bassturtle]

Great thread! I'm eating up all this info.