Strings for my Kay

[fuzzy beard]

My 43 Kay M1 had super sensitive strings on it when I bought it. I wanted to wait and try as many strings as possible before deciding what to get. To be honest I am getting to inpatient to wait. When deciding to buy a upright I played a lot of basses. Wich means I also was able to try a lot of strings. Problem is I did not have the fore sight to pay attention to what I was playing. But I know enough to know what I have on now is my least favorite!

So here is what I am looking for. A low tension string, as much volume as possible. A gutish tone? Will be playing 99% pizz. Maybe some tasteful slap. Mostly folk and bluegrass. And I have about 150 bucks to spend.

Have been thinking about dedario zyex, dedario orchestra's, innovation super silver's, and although I tried Spirocore weich on a different bass and was not impressed it seems like everyone is using them.

Thought, comments, suggestions, strings for sale?

[ctxbass]

Originally Posted by fuzzy beard

So here is what I am looking for. A low tension string, as much volume as possible. A gutish tone? Will be playing 99% pizz. Maybe some tasteful slap. Mostly folk and bluegrass. And I have about 150 bucks to spend.

If this is what you are looking for, Innovation Super Silver's would be a great choice. Be sure that your bridge and nut slots are wide enough and coated with graphite (pencil lead) so the strings don't bind.

[DoubleMIDI]

Super Silvers or Silver Slaps if you want to go lower (typical gut tension).

You may need to open up the nut and bridge grooves for these larger diameter strings.

[iiipopes]

Ask Daf Lewis on basschat.co.uk . They have an entire subforum on Innovation strings. He is the Innovation liason.

[fuzzy beard]

Looks like double bass chat is down right now.

[fuzzy beard]

Would the super silver's have more volume than the slaps due to tension?

[MostlyBass]

Pirastro Obligatos are a little out of your price range but well worth it. Big round pizz sound, low tension, and easy bowing. They sound great on almost any bass and often sound fantastic on a plywood bass.

[fuzzy beard]

What are your thoughts on longevity? I have heard mixed reviews.

[MostlyBass]

Obligatos last forever. I studied with a guy in the Lyric Opera who liked them after a few years!

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

If you want to try Oblis on the cheap, talk to this guy. He got the set from me not too long ago. I wasn't a fan, but maybe they'll work for you.

FS/FT - OBLIGATOS

[DoubleMIDI]

Daf Lewis is on tour until next week, so an answer might be delayed a bit.

I'm rather sure that Silver Slaps are a bit quiter than Super Silvers, but haven't tried the later. Since they are both rather low tension, none of them will choke the bass and then the rule "more tension is louder" is valid.

A lot of people say that Obligatos only last a few months, other think different (and probably play them differently).

I think that strings need some time to get to their most stable sound state, maybe not a pleasant one, then they are declared dead. Spirocore needs about 6 months until they work well, some cannot wait for that, Obligato 6 month before they are (often) declared dead. Strings change over time, so the only way to find out what works for your bass is get the strings (maybe used) and play them for a longer time. If you still like them after a few months, good. If not, get something else.

Tension does not change too much, it gets a very little bit lower the more the string stretches (so mass is put away from the vibrating part and the tension for the lower mass is also lower to keep the frequency).

[ctxbass]

IMHO, Obligatos don't sound like gut. I spent way too much time and $$ trying to get the gut sound without the drawbacks of gut strings. I finally settled on dealing with guts, but I found that Super Silvers came the closest as far as sound and response.

[fuzzy beard]

How much are a decent set of guts? How is volume with guts? Do they come up used often? And are the pain in the rear they sound to be?

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by fuzzy beard

How much are a decent set of guts? How is volume with guts? Do they come up used often? And are the pain in the rear they sound to be?

Plain gut D and G last a long time, plenty of volume and mix well with A and E spiro or other metal wrapped strings. Metal wrapped guts are not recommended for midwest climate. Too much humidity change which affects the gut core and makes them a pain in the you know what for tuning, and working life. Used Dugoleckis, Gamuts or Chordas can be a cheaper way to try them out and they come up occasionally in the classifieds.

[MostlyBass]

I usually order my upright strings from Bob's House of Basses

He's got Obligatos for $196 and LaBella Guts for $287. I have never bought nor used guts on my bass. I use either Obligatos or Flat ChromeSteels.

[silvertone]

Another vote for Pirastro Obligato's via Bob Gollihur's portal.

I don't post often here but I play a lot of bluegrass around the Bay Area - upright on a German plywood bass, and these strings are great 'cause they last forever, have a full round tone and never ever cause me blisters. I can play for hours with no issues or discomfort.

[martinc]

Try Zyex Mediums.
In my experience with two Kay basses and my King and Eberle, Innovations (Honey, Super Silvers) just do not have enough "body" for a plywood top. Too much "plastic" string sound and not enough of my bass.
I have just gone through a re-evaluation of my Eberle's strings. Been changing them like crazy over the winter to see if I can come up with the right combination of left hand feel with hefty sound and thump.
Anima's, Garbo's (light and reg), Solo Dominants, Spiro Weichs, Helicore Pizz and various combinations of these along and some others with steel/guts have all eventually come up short of the sound I am looking for.
The closest SET that gets ME near the sound I like is the Zyex Mediums. Garbo's are OK too but expensive and "slower" to react than steel or synthetic strings.
I am also very happy with Jazzers on the E and A (or Spiro Mittel E)/Jazzer A) and Zyex D and G.. I plan on going into this year's festival schedule with our band with this combination...or maybe using a Lenzner gut G.
A Lenzner gut G and D combination with the Jazzer E (or Spiro Mittel E) and Jazzer A is also quite good.
I never got around to a Dominant E and A with gut D and G but I suspect they would work well too on a Kay.
But...that's just me. I play firmly and need strings that don't bottom out or have too much zing and growl.
We all play and hear differently...so I am relating my own situation for your consideration. No guarantees.
Good luck.

[MostlyBass]

I had a set of Zyex that D'Addario sent me when they were testing the string. I liked it but they were a little higher tension than I liked and I felt the Obligatos have a much bigger and more resonant string.

That said, I feel the Zyex make a great string for someone who is mainly orchestral with some jazz, etc. on the side. Whereas the Obligatos just work so well for everything.

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by silvertone

Another vote for Pirastro Obligato's via Bob Gollihur's portal.

I don't post often here but I play a lot of bluegrass around the Bay Area - upright on a German plywood bass, and these strings are great 'cause they last forever, have a full round tone and never ever cause me blisters. I can play for hours with no issues or discomfort.

Sorry Silver, but Oblis are some of the shortest lasting strings I've ever used. 9 months max and they die! Many others here have had the same experience. Of course amount of play time will influence this.

[MostlyBass]

I got a lot of use out of Obligatos but I would change the E string as I didn't care for the string roll when bowing.