new to jazz and need new strings

[Bruce Lindfield]

Oh Well - I just answered my own question with a quick search on Google and surprise surprise they are made very close to where I live - Shoreham-by-Sea to be precise!!

They are called Innovation Strings and apparently Michael Moore helped develop them! Here's the link I found from Google :

http://www.innovationstrings.com/innend.htm


Anybody tried these?

Wonder if they'd be any good on an EUB?

[Francois Blais]

Tried both G and D on my EUB.
The G was okay but the D was very floppy.
Really not enough tension.
They are called Rock-A-Billy I think.

LaBella also makes a black-nylon string, number 7710, but the core is stranded steel, while Innovation's is synthetic.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally posted by francois
Tried both G and D on my EUB.
The G was okay but the D was very floppy.
Really not enough tension.
They are called Rock-A-Billy I think.

Looking at the website, I linked to above - they do have a rock-a-billy string. But they also have a Jazz/Orchestral and an Orchestral/Jazz. They did look a bit "floppy" on Arnie Somogyi's bass, but the tone he got was wonderful.

It's useful to know that they do actually work on an EUB - I wonder if anybody has tried the other types of string?

I can see now they are synthetic and not steel, but I think that what Arnie was saying was that they are as reliable and stable as steel strings, while having a gut-like sound.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Here's a quote from their website which explains :

"INNOVATION double bass strings are a major development for double bass players of all musical persuasions. They meet every requirement, having sufficient lift or edge to the note when playing pizzicato and exciting articulation when bowing. The unique non-metallic core holds its pitch and is virtually unaffected by climatic changes.

The two main sets '140H' and '140B' give 'Gut' quality with the reliability and long life of metal cored strings and will enhance any double bass. Your initial impression on playing either set will be the ease of sound production and articulation both for pizzicato and arco.These qualities, when using set '140B' are particularly beneficial on older instruments that began life fitted with gut strings and will now benefit from the 'Greater Gut' quality of this set.

A 'Solo' set is available along with set '140H' in 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 sizes.(see size chart)

Whilst both of our sets are suitable for jazz and orchestral playing, as a guide when choosing your first set of INNOVATION we would suggest the '140H' for jazz and the '140B' for orchestral playing, the '140H' having the brighter sound.

Mid 1999 saw the introduction of our 'RockaBilly' set which has also become very popular with a large number of jazz players"

[Francois Blais]

Originally posted by Bruce Lindfield
It's useful to know that they do actually work on an EUB - I wonder if anybody has tried the other types of string?

I tried the 140B G string (braided) on my EUB.
The tone was still too bright for my taste and the construction of the string was questionable.
Whilst sliding the left hand over the string, there was a definite noise that seemed to indicate a loose core problem.
The black string didn't have this problem though.

I've yet to find a better string than the Jargars for my G and D. (for me the search is over for those two strings)

[JC Mags]

how does Thomastik Superflexibles sound in comparison to Spirocores (arco and pizz) and how much softer are they? would you recommend them over Spirocores?


>You might also try Thomastik Superflexibles. The >pitch is as clean and true as the Spirocores, but >they are darker and sound more like a rope-core >string due to a cable core rather that the spiral >(spiro) core. They're softer and so won't be such >an adjustment from gut as well, plus they bow a >WHOLE lot easier than the Spirocores...

[Pete OLeary]

Originally posted by Bruce Lindfield
Here's a quote from their website which explains :

"Whilst both of our sets are suitable for jazz and orchestral playing, as a guide when choosing your first set of INNOVATION we would suggest the '140H' for jazz and the '140B' for orchestral playing, the '140H' having the brighter sound.

I found this to be marginally true. The 140H has a larger diameter A string than the 140B. The 140B "felt" like they had more tension than the 140H and bowed better.

"Mid 1999 saw the introduction of our 'RockaBilly' set which has also become very popular with a large number of jazz players" [/b]

Innovation might do well to rename their lines. I know several players who tried the RockaBilly strings and found them unsuitable for rockabilly playing, but like them for jazz playing.

[Don Higdon]

Originally posted by Bruce Lindfield
They are called Innovation Strings and apparently Michael Moore helped develop them!


Anybody tried these?

Wonder if they'd be any good on an EUB?

Michael Moore has not used those for years. He plays Obligato A,D,G and a Spirocore E. He had alredy left Innovation for something else, and he bought Obligatos after hearing them on my jazz bass.

[Touch]

I switched from Spirocore to D'Addario Helicore Hybrids last year.

I'm very happy with these new strings and get great comments on the tone (100 year old carved top).

[oldsaw]

Touch,

How are the Buffs doing this year?

As others here know, I've tried a lot of different strings. The only person who has tried more has to be Francois. Once again I'm getting the itch (g.a.s) for new strings and was on the verge of ordering a set like Special K's.

My experienc with
Obligato's; great sound/poor bow response on the A and E.
Innovations 140H; great sound and good bow response on all strings.

The steel strings that I have tried have all been too bright on the G and sometimes on the D string.

I wonder if others have any experience bowing the Eudoxa A and E?

I may have to stay with my Original's for now.

Mark

[Francois Blais]

Mark, are you using Original Flexocors (or Orig Flats)?
The Jargars are the warmest steel strings I know.
But even then, I use the rubber ring filter that comes with Pirastro steel G strings with my Jargar medium G.
That ring really improves the warmth of G strings. (but it also diminish their sustain, which is not a problem with me)
I was using a Jargar medium D but put back the Forte to get a little more clarity.

[oldsaw]

Flexicores with a Jargar extended E string. The Flexicore E was DOA.