Olivs and Climatic Change

[Steve Ma]

About three months ago, I put on new Olivs D & G with my older Obligatos E & A. The combination seems to work pretty well in terms of tone and feel.

Here is my question. My Olivs seem to require more adjustments than the Obligatos. This is very apparent when the weather changes. Since the Olivs are my first experience with a gut type string, are they more sensitive climatic change?

Thanks.

[anonymous02282011]

IME, yes.

[T-Bal]

I'll second that. Gut is more fussy than synthetic. When I had Oliv D and G, there were times when frequent tuning was required. For example, if the temp was a little chilly, I'd tune before playing. Then as the strings warmed up from being played, tune again. Put the bass down for a break, they go cold and you have to tune again before the next set.

[Bobby King]

Absolutely. Gut constantly contracts and expands with the temperature and climate. This is just one of the annoying, high-maintainence aspects of gut strings. But -- they sound and feel great! It's good that you use a mixed set with more stable strings that you can tune to. An all-gut setup can really be a headache.

[Marc Piane]

I've been using Eudoxas (also wrapped gut) D and G. I have found that humidity changes effect tuning a bunch more than temp changes.

I find it handy to have Spiros on the bottom though. They are VERY stable. Gives me a reference point for tuning mid set.

[brianh]

I can really relate to this problem. Ive been using a full set of Eudoxa strings for about a month now. While the strings have obviously been broken in, the intonation can be pretty scary at times. We all have at least minor intonation problems with our playing alone, so adding strings that go in and out of tune can really make you question your playing. I'm considering changing to something else because it's really sarting to mess with my head.

However, the sound is amazing; clear, fat, defined, and LOUD. I sometimes struggle with the way they respond because I'm coming from Dominants which are very tense and therefore require a lighter touch.

[Marc Piane]

I'd try putting some steel strings on the bottom. That is the only thing that keeps me sane.

[larry]

My Olivs (D & G) go sharp as the humidity or temp drops. If I know I'll be away for more than a day I detune them slightly.

Pain in the arse? A little. But I have yet to hear another string that comes close.

I just bought an Oliv A. Not sure what to do for an E yet, but I decided that there is just no comparison to steel, at least on my bass (hybrid Lascala).

[Don Higdon]

As Oliv and Eudoxa age, they become more stable.

[Jeremy Allen]

I've had Olivs on the D and G for about a month, and it's the weirdest temperature period of the year. At the beginning, the A/C was on and the strings were very flat every morning when I picked up the bass. Now the heater's blowing, and the strings are very sharp. I know it's the humidity difference and not a question of temperature.

I have a Spirocore on the E, and that saves things from the standpoint of having a reference to go to in the middle of a set (or tune, or piece).

[Michael Case]

The tuning issues weren't worth it for me after a while. They do sound good, but being grossly out of tune doesn't sound so hot. I'm using a Spiro set with a Dominant G now. I don't miss the Olivs anymore.

[larry]

Originally Posted by Michael Case

The tuning issues weren't worth it for me after a while. They do sound good, but being grossly out of tune doesn't sound so hot. I'm using a Spiro set with a Dominant G now. I don't miss the Olivs anymore.

Mine move a little, but I don't have severe tuning issues. Perhaps different basses react more or less with them. In fact, when I took my bass out on Saturday night's gig, it was still perfectly in tune from the night before in a totally different venue (that is unusual, though).

The thing I can't get over is how much better Olivs sound (at least the D & G) compared to other strings I've used. Though Olivs are the only gut string I've used, I've used a couple of synthetic gut sets as well as the usual steel choices. I could never go back.

[Michael Case]

I've had moments where the Olivs stay in tune, but once they start to reach their end, they really go out. I had to change my G before my D because of wrapping issues and a couple of weeks later the D started to go out like crazy.

Mostly they were unpredictable for me, I'd have days where they'd stay perfectly in tune. Then days where by the third chorus of EVERY tune on or both Olivs would be completely out. I just couldn't take it, I have enough intonation issues without the Olivs.

[Steve Ma]

Thanks for all the input.

Sounds like what I'm experiencing is pretty common. Ahh, the never ending search to find the right balance between tone, stability, and intonation ......