New strings for a monster bass, could use some advice.

Big B. · #1 08-04-2010, 04:43 PM

* Hello fellow bottom dwellers another "what strings do I need?" post but I could use some advice.********************* I am playing a 1999 Rumano Solano 4/4 5 string and since I have owned it, I haved had either spirocores or spirocore hi-tensions. I do like the high tension feel of the spirocores and the sound is very powerful. I generally perform a 50/50 mix between orchestral playing and ampified jazz gigs/musicals.* My bass has a very dark sound and the spirocores sound great in an orchestra section or for jazz. As I concentrate more on solo work and improvising with the bow I have run into an issue with bowability and amplified tone. I have heard that these are not the most bowable strings and I would be interested to hear any thoughts. And anyone who ever put a both to these things through an amp is lucky that they lived to tell about it. Very scratchy and the balance between arco and pizz is terrible. Arco being at least 100% louder.* Here is my concern. The spirocores are generally very bright but my bass still has a nice dark sound with them and I am afraid some strings will be too dull. Maybe I am searching for the fountain of youth here but if you have any thought please chime in.

kscbass · #2 08-04-2010, 05:12 PM

I would suggest to you to put Spirocore Medium gauge (since you like high tension strings) and play them until they loose their initial brightness. I was told that black hair has more grip than white hair on the bow. Also you can use fresh Pops rosin which you can buy at this website: http://www.bassrosin.com/
I was told that a fresh Pops rosin cake has more grip on the strings.
About the amplified sound that's a whole other ball game. I use a Fishman Full circle pickup and EA amplification and it works for me (Spirocore Weichs).
I would recommend to anyone doing at least 50% pizzicato to give Thomastik Spirocores a try. A five year try that is.
Good luck,
Kai

Greg Clinkingbeard · #3 08-04-2010, 05:48 PM

You have two choices:
1) Live with the spirocores and learn to get the most out of them
2) Play ring around the rosie with a bunch of other strings. You may luck out, but since you like the way spiros work pizz, chances are you will return to them and have less money in your pocket. You will have a bunch of used strings laying around if you ever want to fall off the wagon.

FWIW, I struggled through this same process and found that black bow hair does grip better but can sound raspy. I do use a Gollihur german bow with black hair. Pops rosin never worked for me. Oak medium or Kolstein soft work better. That's my $.02

Marcus Johnson · #4 08-04-2010, 06:10 PM

I think Clink's got it, in option #1. From your description of your bass' sound, I'd just hang in with the Spiros until they die. They are really beautiful arco strings, and I loved the low Spiro on my five string EUB awhile back. Just scary. Spiros are somewhat demanding under the bow, but the payoff is great.

Pops is not my favorite rosin. I use Carlsson's, sparingly.

Big B. · #5 08-04-2010, 06:14 PM

I will definitely save these as they are pretty new. about a year and a half. I currently have a K&K pickup/mic combo that sound great but I have owned several and always had the same problem. I have even tried other bows and let other people play my instrument and its always the same. I use starks on the E and B and standard spirocores on the A, D and G string. I will most likely only replace the A, D and G strings.
Money is not as much an issue because I know several neurotic guys that cant keep a set of strings on for more than a month so I can probably buy any of these strings used but nearly new. Since I havent used any others I would like to see how they will affect my bass. I just hope to avoid as much tuner cranking as possible.

Eric Hochberg · #6 08-09-2010, 06:26 AM

It sounds like your problem is not with the strings. You might try a realist pickup for your amplified arco playing, the nastiness will be gone.

Will Yager · #7 08-09-2010, 06:31 AM

What kind of pickup are you using now?

Big B. · #8 08-09-2010, 11:49 AM

** I have used the Gage realist before but it didnt work well for me. Makes my bass sound like 30 ft tall pillow when I play pizz. Right now I use a k&k bass max that sits in the wing slot of the bridge. Pretty solid unit with a good sound. When at lower volumes I use a mic as well and that does round out the sound more effectively. Maybe I focused to much on amplified tone in my post. That is definitely an issue but arco playability is something I would like to experiment with as well. I really do like the spirocores but to me they are at the end of the string spectrum on the bright side. While they are fabulous for certain styles I gig most a loy of styles and I want to try something a little closer to the center of the spectrum. With spiros I feel the bow response is somewhat lacking. Maybe the answer is a lower tension string. Not as worried about losing some volume and presence if it improves playability. Any experience with belcantos or flexocor for jazz? You guys are great, thanks for the input.

Eric Hochberg · #9 08-09-2010, 03:16 PM

My point was to use the Realist for arco only, and your favorite pizz pickup for pizz...switching between the two when necessary.

Big B. · #10 08-09-2010, 07:23 PM

That is not a bad idea but I have a thing about nonremovable pickups. I dont like playing orchestra concerts with pickups attached. I have also considered the radial engineering ToneBone. It is an a/b box built for using multiple instruments. the second channel has an eq section and a gain control and can be used with one instrument as a pedal activated eq. Downside is it is aroud 250$ or so. Could be a good way to switch between arco and pizz or between upright and BG for theatre shows and such.