String choice and ID (newb content)

[singlemalt]

It is my first time on the DB side, so please be patient.

I did: read the newb stuff, and get a teacher for a weekly lesson.

I also bring a cool goodie as offering to the DB folks: a string ID search tool that helped me identify, within a couple of models, the strings on the bass I am playing.

http://www.quinnviolins.com/qv_stringidsearch.shtml

By plugging in the colors of the string silks I found I have the Thomastik Spirocore, for a 3/4 size DB.

This bass is a 1940 Kay C-1, a loaner that I have to get going with DB. I would like to leave it in better shape than I got it, in return for the generous loan. It needs to have the finger board resurfaced to get rid of some serious divots at key notes on the G and D strings. I have a qualified luthier willing to do the work. Once the fingerboard is planed down the action should be much improved.

In addition, I would like to treat the kid who owns it to a new set of strings, and this is where the question comes up. Would the LaBella 7710's be an improvement? Neither one of us bows.

I could have this bass for the next six to nine months, and I will be playing more roots rock/ rockabilly type stuff, so would guts be a better choice?

Thanks

[Marcus Johnson]

Welcome to DBs. Your good intentions regarding leaving the loaner in better shape than when you got it is admirable. My only caveat would be to run any prospective fingerboard work past the bass' owner first, just in case he/she has grown to love all those dings and divots. Y' never know.

Regarding the strings... I would prefer a set of old Spirocores to most new strings, including the La Bella 7710s, which I've never been fond of. Spiros age very well, and some bassists like them best after a loooong break-in period. Again, ask the owner about it.

Guts are a big decision. I love them and use them myself. I would not suggest them for almost anyone just starting out. I would probably tell you to stay with the Spiros and buy yourself some time with a good, qualified double bass teacher. Whoops, I see you're already doing that.....

Finally, thanks for the link to the string identifier. I always forget where that thing is... kinda weird, since I've bought so many strings from Chris Quinn!

[singlemalt]

The owner is a very talented high school kid who has a better DB to play at school. He gets his licks in on that during school hours and works on his electric playing at home.

The Kay has been neglected because of the high action and deep, buzzing divots. They just didn't want to spend the dough, what with college looming. He may be taking this bass off to college in the fall, so I thought it should be playing well. My local luthier would do the work for a couple hundred, the new set up should be a big improvement.

Seems like a pretty fair trade for the loaner, and I'm really happy to be getting going with out the anxiety of buying gear for what may be a non starter. We talked about that when I made the deal to borrow the bass.

I have to say, I am very much enjoying playing the DB. What a cool sound and feel! Its a little like starting a weight lifting program, hard at first, but the improvements come pretty quickly.



I'll just leave the strings alone and get the work going, to see how much of an improvement we get just from a better setup.

[Uncletoad]

What he said.

[AMJBASS]

Getting it set up is probably a good idea in that case. I agree with Marcus. If you are going to get a set of strings, buy a set of Thomastik Spirocores. The Weich(light) gauge are easy to play and have a nice full sound.

[singlemalt]

The string ID function tells me I have Thomastik Spirocore on there, but did not specify the gauge.

I should have been specific. I have the ones with the red silk on the tail end, and the purple silk at the tuners. Could anyone please tell me exactly what I've got? It would be very helpful to know just where I'm starting from.

Thanks!

I plan to drop it off later this week as I have a two week work commitment that will limit practice time. Hopefully, it will be done and ready by the first of Feb.

[Marcus Johnson]

Spirocore Weichs... (light gauge).

[Francois Blais]

Purple at the peg end is Weich gauge.
(yellow would be solo-tuning)

[singlemalt]

Thanks!

Any possibility of getting a good hillbilly slap out of these? The tension of these strings seems way too high, and I'm not really into pain. Its a very stiff feeling string.

They will be fine for the time being as I've got lots to learn and I'm mostly working on jazz charts and scales and arpeggios for now.

Anyone have any experience with tuning down a half step? That's what the band uses for the guitarist to get his heavy blues sound.

I'll revisit the issue once the fingerboard is resurfaced and the new set up has lowered the action.

Thanks for all the help.

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by singlemalt

Thanks!

I'll revisit the issue once the fingerboard is resurfaced and the new set up has lowered the action.

Setup work is string dependent to a large degree. Different strings will tension the neck in different ways and the fingerboard planing, soundpost and bridge adjustments should be in response to that tension. There is no truss rod on a sting bass to conteract string tensions. If you set up your bass with Spirocore Mittels in standard tuning then move to Weichs a whole step down you'll have wasted some bread.

Make the string choice and have it set up for you and what you're intended use is.

[Francois Blais]

The "scotch" related posts have been moved here:
scotch whiskey (DB forum thread)

François