Starting over

salcott · #1 10-07-2010, 10:34 PM

I'm going to be kinda starting over left hand wise after a two month hiatus due to a finger injury, and am looking for advice on "easy-on-the-hand" strings to use while I rebuild strength and calluses. In anticipation of resuming playing, I put on a set of Spiro solo, tuned normally. Does anyone have experience with either EPs or Bel Cantos in solo gauge tuned to standard pitch? A good pizz sound is my main priority, but I would like to be able to bow as well.

James Gibson · #2 10-07-2010, 10:57 PM

Maybe try Corellis. They are really comfy! They are really bowable and the pizz sound is pretty interesting.

Andrew McGregor · #3 10-08-2010, 01:01 AM

EP Weichs are pretty nice, but I hear EP solos tuned to orchestra don't work well. I'd say the Weichs are about the same feel as either Corellis or Spiro Solos at orchestra pitch.

Eric Hochberg · #4 10-08-2010, 05:00 AM

I had trouble with intonation with the EP solo A tuned to G. Velvet Compas 180 Suit is a very nice low tension set when tuned to orchestra pitch. A bitch to install...

sevenyearsdown · #5 10-08-2010, 05:19 AM

I had to take 6 months off due to a shoulder injury. When I came back I kept the same strings, but just lowered my string height (my bridge is adjustable). As my strength came back, I would raise the height/tension back up a half turn here...a half a turn there with the bridge adjusters. It took me a while, but the string height and tension are back to where they were prior to my injuries.

best of luck

geoffbassist · #6 10-08-2010, 10:57 AM

I think Evah wiechs would do the job, I love belcantos with a bow but couldn't make them work on a jazz gig with an amp. Good luck with getting back into it.
Cheers Geoff

Michael Glynn · #7 10-08-2010, 10:58 AM

I can second the recommendations of the Corellis (370M are very low tension) and Compas 180s. Both can be very good hybrid strings in my opinion. Not the same kind of sustain as you might get with spirocores, of course. On some basses the Corellis might sound kind of lifeless, though.

Have you tried bowing the Spiro solos? I've found these to be pretty good arco strings, and many orchestral players have used detuned Spiro solos.

salcott · #8 10-08-2010, 12:47 PM

Thanks, guys, for the replies and advice.

Meddle771 · #9 10-08-2010, 06:07 PM

Corelli 370