From a Newbie: Hope this is not just another “String” question….

[HAM]

Hope this is not just another “String” question….

I am looking for a set of upright bass strings for my new Christopher DB that will not feel as tense as they normally do. I am a newbie and would like nice sounding strings that are comfortable to play. I have lowered the adjustable bridge and the height is really nice. However, I think they are still somewhat tense and since I don’t have big hands and haven’t develop muscle on an upright yet, it's no where near the comfort I am used to with my electric basses. (BTW/ not that I am expecting the same level with an upright as with an electric but I am sure there has to be strings out there that may address my request.)

I don’t know the lingo yet so please excuse the fact that I don’t use technical terms to express what I am trying to say.

I hope there are some mentors out there eager to help the new kids on the block.

Thank!

Hector

[MilesC]

Perhaps Dominants or Obligatos would be good.

[Peck_Time]

What strings are you using now HAM?

In your profile it mentions you like Brian Bromberg and Eddie Gomez (although it doesn't mention your double bass or strings), so Spirocore Weiches would be my first port of call.

[Arduy]

Hello. I'm very happy with Obligato strings (they work well for pizzicato and for arco too). I recently purchased a set of Jargar medium strings, but I haven't tried them yet (from what I've heard they are rather similar to gut strings). I'm not an expert, so take it as my personal impression.

[glenfong]

check out the Corelli 370M, these are the lowest tension strings that I've found (also tried Obigato, Spiro Weichs).

if you want even less tension, you could try a set of Spiro Solo gauge tuned down to orchestra pitch (standard tuning instead of solo tuning which I believe is tuned a whole step higher), though they seemed a bit too loose for me (imo).

I also came to the double bass (1yr) from bass guitar (over 30yrs).

good luck, Glen

[hdiddy]

Tell us what strings you have on your bass first. If you don't know the string make, just tell us the colors of the silk windings on the tailpiece and at the pegs where the strings are wound on your bass.

[HAM]

I believe it came with the D'Addario Helicore strings. The original owner never changed the string while she had it in college. They are black at the tail piece and G, Blk, Y and R from E to G respectively.

Thanks for your feedback!

[GriffithLea]

Originally Posted by HAM

I believe it came with the D'Addario Helicore strings. The original owner never changed the string while she had it in college. They are black at the tail piece and G, Blk, Y and R from E to G respectively.

Thanks for your feedback!

That doesn't sound like Helicores. Helicores have a spiral pattern in the silk on the tailpiece end. Your strings sound like they are probably Thomastik Precisions, which have a solid steel core. Yeah, they'd probably feel pretty stiff.

Moving to a rope core string, like Spirocores, Flexocors, or Helicores, would be a logical first step in finding a string that's more to your liking. Suggestion: try replacing just one string at first, and try a few different strings to find one that's to your liking. For example, buy a Helicore, Flexocor, and Spirocore G. Try out each. Once you find one you like best, you can start replacing the other strings with same.

Another rope core string to try would be the Belcanto.

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by GriffithLea

That doesn't sound like Helicores. Helicores have a spiral pattern in the silk on the tailpiece end. Your strings sound like they are probably Thomastik Precisions, which have a solid steel core. Yeah, they'd probably feel pretty stiff.

The Precisions are black at the peg-end too.
His strings follow the D'Addario coding there, but the black silk at the tailpiece isn't.
Strange.

[HAM]

Guys! I am sorry... I looked at the strings last night and because of the poor lighting I made them out to be black by the tailpiece and they are not! This morning "I can see, I can see!" and they are green with yellow (maybe gold) that spirals down the green tread. This bass was purchased at the Chicago A440 Shop and I just read the following: "We carry the 300 series with the upgraded German "Rubner" machines and D'Addario Helicore strings (your choice of Orchestra, Hybrid or Pizzacato)." The original owner was in her college orchestra so... btw/ I have the Christopher DB303T-LG. I was told that the T stand for 3/4 and the LG for low gloss. It is a beautiful looking/sounded UB indeed. Sorry for the confusion on my part.

So, given that info... what do you guys recommend?

[rdwhit]

Looks like You've got Helicore Hyrbids. Obligatos or weichs would be good for You. Try buying just one & see if You like it & save money before buying the rest of whatever You decide on. Keep the old strings, You may like them in the future. Are You using a bow ? If not, stick to "jazz" or "pizz" strings. You'll find lots of discussion in here about bowing vrs pizz vrs hybrid. Good luck, welcome to DB string madness
.

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Helicore Hybrid mediums; a medium tension string in my experience.
You might try Spirocore in weich gauge. I like Superflexibles because they the tension is low, but the strings have some meat to them. No experience with the Corelli's although they might be a good option. The Obligatos are very easy to play, but I can't recommend them as a durable string. Strings shouldn't break or go dead suddenly as expensive as they are.