Recomend strings to me?

goodtimejonny · #1 11-29-2006, 10:30 PM

Hey, so I'm a beginner upright jazz player. I'm in the market for some new strings. Before you tell me to check out the strings stickies, I already did.

I'm looking for some strings for my DB that give me that very nice mwah. Also, if these strings didn't carry too much tension. That's as close as I can get to describing it. I play pizz and a little arco. Tomorrow I will try to upload an example of what I am looking for. In the mean time, could anyone recomend something like that?

Thanks in advance,
-Jon

Michael Case · #2 11-30-2006, 12:53 AM

Spiro Weichs. Welcome to the darkside, unfortunatly we all have searched for the right string. It's a long, expensive process.

Good luck and have fun,

Mike

PB+J · #3 11-30-2006, 06:31 AM

what mike da mook said--spiro weichs. Relatively low tension, articulate tone, lots of growl. Spiros in general are more or less the default string for jazz. You might not end up playing them, but you'll need to try them sooner or later.

In the spiros Weichs (lights) have less tension than Mittels (mediums, which have less tension than Starks.

Spiros are bowable but they don't give the sweetest sound at first. On my bass, the weichs are a little easier to bow than the mittels. They have a nicer sound than the mittels on my bass as well--more "bounce."

The spirocore weichs will give you exactly want you want

**Basschair** · #4 11-30-2006, 07:54 AM

Definitely Weichs.

An alternative (for me at least) would be Pirastro Flat Chromesteel (not flat chromes).

**Francois Blais** · #5 11-30-2006, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basschair

An alternative (for me at least) would be Pirastro Flat Chromesteel (not flat chromes).

I guess you meant (not the Original Flatchromes) ?

Jake · #6 11-30-2006, 09:57 AM

No Francois, he's talking about the Flat Chromesteel which is a totally different string than the Original FlatChrome as you probably already know. They are not a related string other than the similar sounding name.

**Basschair** · #7 11-30-2006, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake

No Francois, he's talking about the Flat Chromesteel which is a totally different string than the Original FlatChrome as you probably already know. They are not a related string other than the similar sounding name.

Actually, I think you're both right: I've heard the Flat Chromesteel referred to as "flatchromes," and the Flat Chromes referred to as the "original flatchromes." I'm not sure if it's redundant or if there is some previous renaming that went on.

Just to clarify for others, I'm referring to the "Flat Chromesteel" strings rather than the "Original Flatchrome" strings. It may be just me, but the Original Flatchromes didn't do much for me pizz/arco.

TroyK · #8 11-30-2006, 11:44 AM

I'm using the not-often-talked-about-but-been-around-forever Pirastro Jazzers right now and am quite happy with them. They've been on my bass since August, which is a long time for me to have 4 matching strings on my bass. I like them a lot better than I liked weiches on my bass, to my ears.

I need to try Medium Gauge Spirocores on my bass at some point, but those are higher tension.

I really liked solo gauge Spirocores tuned down for a while, but they can be significantly lower in tension depending on your set up.

Weiches are a good suggestion, FCS's, Jazzers, someone will mention Corellis then....

Pick one and go with it or join the afflicted in the search.

hdiddy · #9 11-30-2006, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAIRBASS

Just to clarify for others, I'm referring to the "Flat Chromesteel" strings

+1 on the FCS (rather than OFCS

). I've had them on for a while now and they're awesome all around strings. Good if you want a stringy sound.

IanAllison · #10 11-30-2006, 12:01 PM

Hey there,

I had a set of Helicore Pizz on my bass and it had growl and sustain for DAYS. Really a cool set of strings.

HOWEVER - a drag to bow and they tend to thin out up high.

Spiros are great - I've played a few basses with them and currently have a Stark (heavy) E. It's huge with a great fundamental - but maybe not as "mwah-y" as the lighter gauges.

You ought to check out Thomastik Dominants too. I have them on my bass for the A, D, and G and they're just wonderful. A great compromise of bowability and jazz growl.

Ian

**Basschair** · #11 11-30-2006, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdiddy

Originally Posted by HAIRBASS
Just to clarify for others, I'm referring to the "Flat Chromesteel" strings

+1 on the FCS (rather than OFCS

). I've had them on for a while now and they're awesome all around strings. Good if you want a stringy sound.

Who the heck are you calling "HAIRBASS?"

hdiddy · #12 11-30-2006, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basschair

Who the heck are you calling "HAIRBASS?"

Sorry, Fuqua'ism gone wrong. I forgot why I used that. Usually I name you after a villain from "The Tick".

Uncletoad · #13 11-30-2006, 02:05 PM

+whatever on Weich. I can't get those things to stop growling. Guts are the double bass sound of the first half of the 20th Century(like pre '50something) and Spirocores either Weich or Mittel are the sound for the last 40 or so years.

Peanut head is correct. It's smart to play on spiros for at least some period of time to know how they fit into the history of Jazz DB sound. You may eventually move away from them one way or another but it is the defacto standard that must be understood so any departure has context.

I'd play spirocores for at least my first year.

**Basschair** · #14 11-30-2006, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdiddy

Sorry, Fuqua'ism gone wrong. I forgot why I used that. Usually I name you after a villain from "The Tick".

drurb · #15 11-30-2006, 09:23 PM

I'll put in another vote for the Thomastik Dominants.

goodtimejonny · #16 11-30-2006, 10:22 PM

So it seems that the general consensus is the Spiro Weichs. I'm thinking that I will go with those. Thanks a bunch everybody.

Marcus Johnson · #17 12-01-2006, 01:11 PM

Be patient with them.... they sound real bright and zingy for awhile. They hit their stride after they've been on the bass for awhile.

goodtimejonny · #18 12-03-2006, 08:42 PM

Also would anyone know of a place that I would be able to buy upright strings? There is a music store where I live, but the charge an extreme mark up. I live in Tracy, California, it's close to Stockton if you know where that is.

Jake · #19 12-03-2006, 10:18 PM

You do have an awesome bass store in California, Lemur Music. I live in Florida and I usually buy things like rosin, strings, and other gear from them as I did when I lived in Texas. They have a great reputation and they have always had great service, prices and selection. You should plan on visiting there sometime, but if you don't want to drive, they have excellent mail order service and a very good online store.