Thomastic Spirocore Problems

[pauljefferies]

Frustrated of Oxford here! I have tried several sets of medium gauge spirocores on my D bass in recent weeks (sending 3 sets back to the dealer) and have found problems with all of them - anyone else experiencing this? Let me explain:
I wanted to renew my old set of Spirocores but on changing to the first set, and after allowing a few days to mellow, the bass developed a distinct metallic buzz on the octave A at the neck stop posistion on the D string. After a few more days, the G string developed buzzes too. I took the bass to my (excellent & v experienced) repairer who checked the whole bass over. We have now replaced the end pin, bridge, nut and re-shot the finger board twice, but still the same problem persists and I have now used 4 sets of strings. The buzz on the G string also wonders from place to place along the length of the string from day to day. I fear it may be a faulty batch of strings - any ideas please!!!

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Did your old set produce any buzzes? What happens when you put the strings from the old set back on?

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by pauljefferies

We have now replaced the end pin, bridge, nut and re-shot the finger board twice, but still the same problem persists and I have now used 4 sets of strings. The buzz on the G string also wonders from place to place along the length of the string from day to day. I fear it may be a faulty batch of strings - any ideas please!!!

Does this mean you have paint on the fingerboard?

[Mark Perna]

I had a buzz on a Spiro G about 2 years ago. It turned out to be a VERY small kink in the string. It was almost visually unnoticeable but you could feel it if you ran your finger down the string. I had the fingerboard dressed without success, I found the kink and corrected the problem after replacing the string. I haven't had any problems since though.

mark

[Dr.G]

Hi,

I had the same problem with a Thomastik Belcanto string. At first I thought it was vibrating in the bridge or on the finger board because the buzzing really did sound like coming from the instrument. Eventually, I got a new string (for free!) and the buzzing problem was gone. I was told that they had a temporary problem in their production that caused many strings to buzz (Belcanto’s). 4 sets in which all the strings buzz seems very unlikely though. However, before blaming your instrument, I would try other strings that were not fabricated during the same time frame. Putting back your old set is a good suggestion. Maybe Thomastik now has a temporary problem in their production of spiros causing all the strings from that batch to buzz?

Good luck!