New bass, I need new strings.

[TroyK]

You guys know I'm a chronic, recovering string experimenter/mixer, but if I had a new bass I wouldn't string it initially with a mix of different strings or go for someone's magic potion of this set with this other set's G. What would you learn about your bass from that?

Start with a full set of something that you know something about and generally like as a bassline. Leave them be for at least 6 months, while you get yourself reaquainted with playing the doublebass and then see a luthier about setup changes if you feel something isn't quite what you would like. Once you and your bass are dialed in, then you feel like you know enough to start making some informed string swapping/experimenting decisions.

Spirocores are the obvious place to start, though I concede that EPWs seem to have the momentum now. Heliocore Hybrids (not my personal favorite) and Thomastic Superflexibles are other good choices out of the gates.

[Square Bear]

great point TroyK. i've never needed to mix/match a set. works for some players/instruments, but i wouldn't jump to that conclusion unless i had a very compelling reason to.

[TroyK]

I've done it a lot and I wouldn't say "never", but unless you're addressing a particular problem, I think it's deep well. With a new bass, start with something that will give you a foundation from which to start developing preferences.

[MR PC]

Well, the Spiro Weichs are just as tried and true IMO........

Yes, the DB world (at least around here) can be bit overwhelming at first!

[drurb]

Originally Posted by MR PC

Well, the Spiro Weichs are just as tried and true IMO........

Tried, yes. True, yes. As tried and true? -- nah-- mittels are far more common. For anyone starting out and wanting the "standard" string-- especially the standard Spiro string, as the OP said he did, IMO, mittels would be it.

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Spiros are the Checker Cab of the string world.

That's a stupidly ****ing funny analogy.

If you can set up your bass around spiro mitts and live with them for 6 months to a year that's a good a baseline as a Jazz guy can get. After that, you wanna get nuts with changing strings have at it. At least you have a strong benchmark to lean back on.

evah weichs are interesting but they've got a lot of catching up to do to swipe the 40 year Spiro crown for jazz.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

evah weichs are interesting but they've got a lot of catching up to do to swipe the 40 year Spiro crown for jazz.

Hmm... 39.5 years to go! I figure we'll all be on to some other string by then. Let's see, I'd be how old?