String Question For Doublers

[bassist1962]

This question is for those who play both DB, and BG. What strings do you use on each instrument, and why? I am asking because my dad used to tell me how I had such a thin tinny sound on BG, compared to his DB. I used roundwounds on BG, dad used guts on DB. When I first heard Danny Thompson, I thought he played BG due to his tone. It shocked me to learn that It was a French DB, with Spiro starks. I don't mean to sound as I am putting anybody's sound down, I just didn't realize until the last few months how much a DB could have such a metalic ring to it. So I was just wondering what strings you guys used for each instrument. Is the metalic ring a normal thing? What's the deal?

[Bobby King]

For me, gut on double bass is like using flatwounds on electric -- more punch, more bottom, less sustain,"old-school".
I have a DB w/guts and a EB w/ flats and those are probably my faves because I'm pretty old-school oriented.

But because I have to play a lot different styles and do recording sessions, I also have a DB w/ steels and EBs w/ roundwounds.

It's still possible to use steel on DB and roundwound on EB and get a deep punchy tone, and there are some upright players that really go for a bright, sustainy sound.

A lot depends on the bass, the strings, the set-up, and most of all, the player!

[TroyK]

Ideally, I'd match the string sets, but I've found that it's helpful to use longer strings on my DB than I do on my Fender.

[Chasarms]

I use Dean Markley SR2000s on my EBG (Modulus Q5) because they intonate really well and offer a clear, ringing, bell-like tone. I would not call the sound "metallic" but it is not gut like.

I am using TI Belcantos on my DB right now, but I think Pirastro Flat Chromesteel is probably my favorite string for mostly the same reasons.

[bassist1962]

[quote=Bobby King;3805731]For me, gut on double bass is like using flatwounds on electric -- more punch, more bottom, less sustain,"old-school".
I have a DB w/guts and a EB w/ flats and those are probably my faves because I'm pretty old-school oriented.

But because I have to play a lot different styles and do recording sessions, I also have a DB w/ steels and EBs w/ roundwounds.QUOTE]

That has been my conclusion as well.

Troy: I prefer a halfround string on BG. Where would I start to match the string for DB?

Charles: 'Bell like' is a more appropriate term for what I described.

[PB+J]

I tend to try to get them both into the same place--I like a reasonable bass, strong midrange, and dislike high end. On my double bass I have an old-ish set of spiro weichs and on my electric I have either flats or Smith Compressors, which are nickel and ground smooth

I can't stand the ringy, zingy sound of new strings or stianless steel rounds. I like the sound of a string that's been played for six months or so.

Spirocores have a reputation for being the rotosound rounds of the double bass world: bright, trebly, long sustaining, ringing. That's true of the spiro mittels, but to my surprise on my bass the spiro weichs have a much softer, warmer tone

[tornadobass]

I've been using light gauge Chromes flatwound strings on my G&L L-1000 bass. Clear, but smooth and nice sustain. I have trouble getting used to the finger noise of rounds when I play them now.

On my American Standard URB, I've been using Permanents for awhile now. I think they're fairly similar in character to the Chromes...big, yet clear and well-defined.

My BugBass, OTOH, has light Helicore Hybrids. On that bass, I'm still in the same tonal range, but it has low action and these strings are easy to play. The tone is more even and "normal" sounding than Weichs on this bass.

[bassist1962]

Originally Posted by PB+J

Spirocores have a reputation for being the rotosound rounds of the double bass world: bright, trebly, long sustaining, ringing.

This also was one of my thoughts, hence why I thought BG when I first heard Mr. Thompson.