Recommend me some strings!

[bassplayershane]

Hi All!

I am new to URB after playing electric bass for 12 years. The upright I just bought has factory strings on it which are pretty average. Jazz is my main style I will use it for but also want to do some blues etc. Which strings would you recommend? The guy where I bought it said 'Hella-coils' or something?? Are they good???

Cheers!

[Eric Swanson]

I would recommend reading the Newbie links on strings, first. Another fun, interesting thread is "UncleToad's Steel Period".

For me, a good starting point would be Thomastik Spirocore Weichs. Inexpensive, good sustain, used by many, many jazz players. Easy on the hands, if you are new to the DB...but they are a certain sound, which one either likes or doesn't...

Other folks might recommend Evah Pirazzi's or Obligatos, both by Pirastro.

Or, Thomastik Spirocore Mittels (with a Stark E), or Belcantos (if you bow much)...

Other folks would recommend myriad combinations and permutations. Ever take statistics and probability in high school? String combinations are pretty close to endless.

You will get more opinions than Carter has pills. So, do the homework, read the old string threads, ask yourself:

- how much do I use the bow, if at all?
- will I be playing through an amp most/all of the time? Mic or pickup?
- what "sound" do I want? Growly steel string? Thumpy warm gut? Other?

[bassist14]

Originally Posted by bassplayershane

The guy where I bought it said 'Hella-coils' or something??

maybe he meant helicores (from d´addario)

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by bassplayershane

Hi All!

I am new to URB after playing electric bass for 12 years. The upright I just bought has factory strings on it which are pretty average. Jazz is my main style I will use it for but also want to do some blues etc. Which strings would you recommend? The guy where I bought it said 'Hella-coils' or something?? Are they good???

Cheers!

If you play Jazz on DB you are going to need to do some time on Spirocores before you are in a position to know anything about any other string. Pick Mittel or Weich, live through the nasty bright period that lasts from 2 weeks to 6 months. Don't change a thing for at least 9 months. Then if you still hate them sell them to someone else, they last for ever. At that point you are now qualified to wallow through the quagmire of string changing, analysis and obsession for the rest of your days. If you like the Spirocores leave them on until you become a significantly older person. Don't ever read another string thread on Talkbass again, play and be happy.

[Eric Swanson]

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

If you play Jazz on DB you are going to need to do some time on Spirocores before you are in a position to know anything about any other string. Pick Mittel or Weich, live through the nasty bright period that lasts from 2 weeks to 6 months. Don't change a thing for at least 9 months. Then if you still hate them sell them to someone else, they last for ever. At that point you are now qualified to wallow through the quagmire of string changing, analysis and obsession for the rest of your days. If you like the Spirocores leave them on until you become a significantly older person. Don't ever read another string thread on Talkbass again, play and be happy.

+1 on the above.

Learn from UncleToad's experience, strength, and hope, unless you have a trust fund and/or unlimited time/energy.

[rprowse]

I've tried a lot of different strings, but have had my Wiechs back on for ages. They'll be staying on. I play jazz, but bow a huge amount of the time. My bass is not what you'd call expensive but it sounds fine with my Weichs and my good bow.

[txstatebass]

I want to print that out (Toad's post) and give it to all my students. My girlfriend wants to print it out, make a poster size copy and place it strategically around the house.

[bonaventura]

Wiser words were seldom spoken... even by the Toad himself.