Spiro S43 Solos?

[lowEndRick]

Has anyone attempted to use these as a hybrid string? It has been suggested to me that these strings do well tuned EADG for arco, pizz, slap etc.

Low tension with many of the qualities of the Spiro Mittels.

[Ike Harris]

Haven't used them on a "real" bass yet. I have an Azola Lightning Bug that needs 1/2 strings in a low tension. I ordered the Spiro solos and they seemed to be the answer for me and this situation. They seem to bow very well, darker than the usual Spiro sound, of course great pizz(growl), and very easy on the left hand. hope this helps.

Ike

P.S. let me know how they work for you if you get some

[glenfong]

Originally Posted by Ike Harris

Haven't used them on a "real" bass yet. I have an Azola Lightning Bug that needs 1/2 strings in a low tension. I ordered the Spiro solos and they seemed to be the answer for me and this situation. They seem to bow very well, darker than the usual Spiro sound, of course great pizz(growl), and very easy on the left hand. hope this helps.

Ike

P.S. let me know how they work for you if you get some

hey Ike,

what color are the peg head ends on your solos? are the tailpiece ends red like the Spiro mediums?

Glen

[Ike Harris]

Originally Posted by glenfong

hey Ike,

what color are the peg head ends on your solos? are the tailpiece ends red like the Spiro mediums?

Glen

Yellow on top and the usual red bottom threads.

[greitzer]

Originally Posted by lowEndRick

Has anyone attempted to use these as a hybrid string? It has been suggested to me that these strings do well tuned EADG for arco, pizz, slap etc.

Low tension with many of the qualities of the Spiro Mittels.

I just read an article in one of the bass magazines that Renaud Garcia-Fons uses the Spiro solos. His sound is incredible, whether pizz, arco, or the other stuff he does (various percussive sounds). I've been thinking about this as well.

[lowEndRick]

Originally Posted by greitzer

I just read an article in one of the bass magazines that Renaud Garcia-Fons uses the Spiro solos. His sound is incredible, whether pizz, arco, or the other stuff he does (various percussive sounds). I've been thinking about this as well.

Yeah, I may try them too. They seem to have a lot of what I am looking for in strings. Its hard to imagine one string being able to do it all.

My only concern is that they seem kind of thin. When I looked at the string gauge sticky it seems the solos are even thinner than the weichs. I like a meatier string.

[greitzer]

If I get them, I'll post a review after I've had a chance to use them.

[Eric Swanson]

Checked on his website. Also says he is using a Weich E string, with the Spiro solos on ADG. Pirastro Flat Chromsteel on his top C:

http://www.renaudgarciafons.com/english/index.html

Pick "skip intro" (at the bottom); on the lower left, pick the furthest back, slim tan band; on the far right of this, go to "misc." scroll down under "equipment"

My old teacher, Terry Plumeri is a long time Weich user, with an amazingly, sweet, expressive bowed tone (and full technical freedom).

So now I am currently torn between trying the S43 and a new pair of Weichs. My old Weichs are DOA and my Bel Cantos, while nice, are too dark, on my bass.

Notice that Renaud Garcia Fons is also a Pops user (and likes a cake at least 10 years old!). Noticed that the Weichs liked my antique Pops better than the new Kolstein (both/either "soft" or "all weather") that I have been trying for the past couple of months. With any of these rosins, no more than two light swipes.

Wondering if the S43's would also like a less "grippy/gluey" rosin, like the Pops (old). (?).

Also notice that my Morizot is not as good on the Weichs since I had a new grip put on. It only put the weight up to 130 g, but it seems to be dampening the lighter strings a bit more.

All to say that I am guessing (emphasis on "guessing") that the S43's would like a lighter setup (bow, rosin). Any experience out there with this dynamic, on the S43's (tuned to orchestra)?

[damonsmith]

I am using them now. You lose a bit of depth, which I am finding you can get back with the right touch.
I have pretty good arco chops and I try to solve my problems by practice and not gear, but I just was not going to get a good enough sound on the A string in thumb position, for example.
I play about 75% arco and I needed a string that was going to speak better and a better set up.

I still have it where I can dig in, but it takes fighting the bass out of the equation.
I can still get a full sound, I lose a bit of depth and gain some percussiveness and clarity. Most of my pizz playing ends up being in a free jazz context. So now I went from a thumpy William Parker/Peter Kowald concept to a Barry Guy/Dave Holland in the '70s - fair enough exchange IMO.

[Thomas Stone]

@Damon.

Have you noticed a reduction of volume in your playing?

We occupy a similar musical territory and I know you, as do I, primarily play acoustically.

I guessing my bass isn't as responsive as yours:I already have to play at f to get what I'd consider (or rather what I'd want as) mp in a group setting.

However I'm very tempted by some lower tension strings (weichs may well do it rather than solos) as I'm prone to flair ups of tendonitis in my forearms.

Thomas

[damonsmith]

The volume is fine, it even projects more, just a little less body. I have a super responsive bass, so that is on my side.