Spiro Mittels for the win

[Wilbyman]

I spent a long time on weichs, then did some time on Kolstein Varicores. Then I went back to weichs before into Obligatos.

I recently picked up a Shen SB-200 gamba flatback from Beerman's in NC. (love Bob and Gael, they are great guys and do terrific work). The bass was set up with a set of Mittels they had been using to set up instruments for a while. Bob said he would leave them on the bass for me, no charge on strings.

Not sure where I've been on Mittels all these years although I don't think I was "ready" for them until now. I never thought I was strong enough to play them, but now I feel like I have been wasting alot of energy on lower tension strings. You have to really lay into the Obligatos to get the kind of punch the Mittels give up with nary a finger wag.

I feel kind of stupid gushing about Mittels because I am the last person on the planet to realize how great they are, but I have to confess the error of my ways to you guys.

W

[Marcus Johnson]

Every time I play Spiros, I have a moment where I think "what the hell am I doing experimenting with anything else?" They're priced better than anything else on the market, since they last for years, and they sound and feel great, pizz or arco. I always find my way back to them every now and then. As always, there's a set in the drawer right now... waiting for my wandering eye (ear?) to return home to mama.

[Wilbyman]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Every time I play Spiros, I have a moment where I think "what the hell am I doing experimenting with anything else?" They're priced better than anything else on the market, since they last for years, and they sound and feel great, pizz or arco. I always find my way back to them every now and then. As always, there's a set in the drawer right now... waiting for my wandering eye (ear?) to return home to mama.

Thanks Marcus...I agree on the value too. Obligatos are cheaper but they're totally beat up in 8 months of steady gigs and I don't think they sound good after they've been de-tensioned. These strings are pretty old now (although I think it is more from installations and removals than actual playing time) and they sound awesome. I just ordered a set of Velvet Blues for this bass but I don't think I'm going to take the Mittels off anytime soon.

[JtheJazzMan]

The mittels definitely have a ton of punch, but I turned off them in favour of the lighter spiros for the tone up in thumb position. Im curious to see the starks, just to see the novelty strength bridge cables that they are.