Spiro combos

Marcus Johnson · #1 11-09-2005, 05:52 PM

Well, I didn't want to derail the Aggro string thread any further that I already have, so I wanted to post a hypothetical question.

I'm currently a very satisfied Anima user, and I'll play my current set as long as they sound good. However, my Spiro roots are calling to me a bit....the greener grass thing. I used Weichs, then weichs with an orch E, which was pretty cool. Arnold turned me onto this combo.

So here's the question....what do you think would be the upside/downside of an Orch Spiro set with a Stark E? On the surface, it seems like it might be ideal; massive E, decent response on the other strings, growliness (which I miss a bit, fickle old me), long lifespan, tolerable arco after the "giant banjo" break-in period....am I missing something obvious? Anybody tried it?

AMJBASS · #2 11-09-2005, 08:45 PM

You know, I have tried ALMOST every string out there and while there are several I thought sounded just great, nothing really beats Spirocores! They just have a presence that most other strings don't have. I notice that it is a lot easier for me to hear my own playing in a band when I play Spiros. They last forever too! I have gone back to Weichs on my Solo bass and they feel like home. I am definitely going to buy an Orch E though.

Marcus, if you don't mind the tension, I think that the Stark E would definitely be worth a try. It is similar to the Orch E, but it has a fuller sound to me.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #3 11-09-2005, 09:03 PM

The only problem I had with the Stark E was that it sounded so good that I wanted that same power on the G string. Then the D. Then the A.... Seriously, if your hands can take 'em, they're an awesome string. The trick to playing them is picking your battles and not trying to dig like a bastard all the time because you really don't need to. I'd say go for it - that E string has some serious mojo going on.

Uncletoad · #4 11-09-2005, 11:02 PM

I have done just that on my Cleveland last night in practice. Stark E on the bottom of the rest of an orch set. The Stark E had some miles on it but the others are just breaking in. So far it is really great. I did a session tonight with that combo and it sounded pretty fat. The Stark E is a big dark full fundamental sound. Turned up loud in the studio monitors it was really ground shaking. The mittel has more overtones and may balance better overall with the others but that big E is very addicting. I'm leaving it like that through this weekends gigs.

jmpiwonka · #5 11-09-2005, 11:17 PM

i had some used mittels on my bass for a few days and i liked them pretty good. really growly and bright, i think a little too much for me. arco response was ok, not too terrible and better than i expected.
i was definately loving the volume they had but some superflexibles came in the mail and i wanted to test them suckers out, just need to let them break in and see how they do.
the E seems a little weak on the superflexibles, perhaps that mittel E will get thrown back on.

the E seemed like the weakest string on my bass so for me a stark E would be nice with the rest of the mittel set......except the brightness

Larry Holloway · #6 11-14-2005, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I'm currently a very satisfied Anima user, and I'll play my current set as long as they sound good. However, my Spiro roots are calling to me a bit....the greener grass thing. I used Weichs, then weichs with an orch E, which was pretty cool. Arnold turned me onto this combo.

Just when you have me convinced with Velvets, you do this! Honestly, the reason I started searching again: I found way less longevity on my Spiros. The first sets I got from Red (and pre 5th tuning..10 years ago) would last for 2, 3 or 4 years. Now I get less than a year out of them? I'm not playing that much more. After about 9 months I notice my G or D will turn into a thud. Sometimes the A & once the C. (I know, I know.. it's not the tuning

). At first I thought something had moved (bridge/ soundpost, etc.). Replaced the strings & 'voila'. I've been replacing them every 9 to 12 months for the last 5 years. Has Thomastik lost quality control? Probably not. I'm thinkin' it may be a slight change in the material/supplier they use? Does anyone else have these symptoms with Spiros?
I love the sound of my Spiros especially when I have to shove a drummer around or move a big band. And they turn nice & warm pp (pianissimo

). They suck for arco (and so do I

).
I know comparing Velvets & Spiros is apples & oranges, but how has the longevity been on the (newer) Velvets?

Marcus Johnson · #7 11-14-2005, 10:48 AM

Don't worry, Larry, it'll probably never happen. I like Spiros, but I love the Animas. If I want the Spiro experience, I'll just play my Bugbass for a night.

I'm not really a long term Anima user yet; they went on earlier this year. They have balanced out and improved a lot in that time, and I guess I've gotten used to playing them quite a bit as well. It feels strange to play most rental basses now (Obligatos or Weichs usually, it seems)....they feel kind of spindly and guitarish.

I seem to remember that Ed Fuqua had almost three years on his Animas when he replaced them recently during some work on his bass. He reported that they were still sounding fine. As for me, I'll play them as long as Velvet makes 'em.

oystein · #8 11-14-2005, 01:41 PM

My Anima set has been on my bass for 3-4 weeks now and I think they're still improving. I did some recording with my dig.videocam. recently and am so happy with the way these strings "play the room" so to speak. It takes some time to settle in, and all I can say if you will try them out - have patience. Yesterday we had a rehearsal with our bluegrass band and the guys all commented on how well the bass sounded, deep full sound but with lots of clarity and edge to the attack.

Question to other Anima users: How high do you set your strings, BTW; I know Ed's answer

Oystein.

Ed Fuqua · #9 11-14-2005, 01:47 PM

Actually, since I got my bass back from Jeff I haven't raised my action. The action is lower than before, but I'm digging it a lot. I have lost some projection, so I imagine I'll prolly move it up soon. But if I don't like the way it feels I'll drop it back and just use an amp for more gigs.

oystein · #10 11-14-2005, 01:58 PM

There is always a balance between projection and what feels/sounds good. As long as I am able to compete with banjo and dreadnought guitar in an acoustic setting, I am happy with my loudness

Drummers and electric guitarists is another story.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #11 11-14-2005, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

Actually, since I got my bass back from Jeff I haven't raised my action. The action is lower than before, but I'm digging it a lot. I have lost some projection, so I imagine I'll prolly move it up soon. But if I don't like the way it feels I'll drop it back and just use an amp for more gigs.

Isn't this one of the seven signs of the apocalypse?

Ed Fuqua · #12 11-14-2005, 02:20 PM

I don't see how, since i have ALWAYS said use what you need to get the sound you want...

Uncletoad · #13 11-16-2005, 07:51 PM

I spent a week with a Stark E I had laying around. I couldn't resist the temptation. Interesting in that the Stark had much more boom and low end girth while the Orch more growl and upper mids. The Stark is tougher to get moving especially when paired with the other Orch strings. I got used to it but did notice on playback of recordings that the E string notes had ever so slightly less volume with the Stark. I was hitting it harder for less output.

I went back to the Orch for tonight's practice and through the weekends work just to compare. I'm not sure where I'll land on that. They both are cool in their own way. It is a nice balance on the regular orch set all across. The Stark set all across is way to much tension for my stubby fingers these days even though I love the sound.