Velvet strings megathread part I

[David Kaczorowski]

The Animas were terrible under the bow both in terms of response and the sound they produced.

[myrick]

I tried bowing 180s for 6 months. Lovely sound on the bass I used them on, but very difficult to control. Very prone to squawks, grunts, shrieks and sniffles. Took a very deft right hand and constant alertness to keep them on good behavior.

They crapped out within six months, which angered me, having paid so dearly for them, but also made me happy that I was thus forced to change. Went to Obligatos on that bass, in some ways a similar sound and response to the Velvets, but infinitely easier to control, and last longer - not to mention cheaper.

FWIW, I also had an unhappy - and expensive - experience with Schertler sound reinforcement gear. I admire their efforts to search for new technologies to get better sounds (strings, amps, pickups, whatever) but think they could do a lot more testing and QC before they put their stuff on the market.

[Monte]

Originally posted by myrick

FWIW, I also had an unhappy - and expensive - experience with Schertler sound reinforcement gear. I admire their efforts to search for new technologies to get better sounds (strings, amps, pickups, whatever) but think they could do a lot more testing and QC before they put their stuff on the market.

As we have discussed before, alla this stuff is pretty subjective. I formerly used something nearly identical to Myrick's rig (Golden Trinity, Bass Max, and AI Conta) and now have infinitely better luck with the Schertler Dyn-B. To each his own. With a good stage I still prefer completely acoustic or my AKG C3000, but the Schertler has been excellent through many different PA systems.

Also, I never had any problem with the Velvets dying out early, although there have been multiple reports here of Obligato's having that problem.

Just trying to point out that I try not to get into saying what I use is a great solution for everyone. I don't use K & K stuff anymore, but I have had 6 different bassists buy the Bass Max based on my recommendations for a lower priced pickup. I love gut strings, but they ain't for everyone. I think sometimes you just gotta go through the trying out for yourself and your bass. Lord knows I've tried about every string, pickup, etc. known to the doublebass. I'm proud to say I have not changed one thing in my rig (bass, strings, electronics) since I switched from Velvets to Pirastro guts about 7 months ago. That's an accomplishment for me. What's even more amazing is that if I got $500 to use towards bass equipment, I'd have a hard time finding something, as satisfied as I am with what I'm using currently.

Monte

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Originally posted by Monte


I'm proud to say I have not changed one thing in my rig (bass, strings, electronics) since I switched from Velvets to Pirastro guts about 7 months ago. That's an accomplishment for me. What's even more amazing is that if I got $500 to use towards bass equipment, I'd have a hard time finding something, as satisfied as I am with what I'm using currently.

Regardless of what gear it is that gets you there, that's a nice feeling.

[Nuno A.]

Even if i'm going a little away from the subject.....
I feel the same as Monte......
I now use the schertler amplification and G and D plain gut strings and A and E velvet garbos...
Give me $1000 and i dont know how to improve my sound...i'm really happy with it....
I live 5 mn from the schertler headquarters, which means that every week (since they are GREAT PEOPLE)
im there asking questions and see whats new....
I'm sure that if you have any doubts...email them...
they got a lot of diferent strings but it really depends what are you looking for.....
if you tel them what you're looking for ...they will answer yo for sure....

Thats how i found the sound i was lookinf for for years.

NUNO

[Marty Forrer]

I just installed a set of these that I got from Lemur.
So far they're looking good. I replaced a set of Helicores, and all of a sudden I've got that Paul Chambers "bounce"! Yay! They're much softer, so my left hand immediately feels more relaxed, and they have just the right amount (for me) of sustain. I dont like the sustain of Helicores and Weich. I had to file out two of the nut slots a little, but no big deal. Mmmmm, I'm a happy camper.

[sean p]

hey marty,

are the garbo's wound, or bare gut?

sean p

[Marty Forrer]

They're wound with copper, or something similar, except for the G, which is wound with something else.

[Adrian Cho]

I believe the G is wound with polyamide and the problem with it is that it is impossible to bow. I used to use the Animas and now use Olivs and Eudoxas. I wouldn't mind trying the Garbos but not if the G can't be bowed.

Adrian

[Marty Forrer]

My bow just gathers dust, so it's not a problem for me.

[Francois Blais]

Hi.
I'd like to hear comments about Compas 180's and 360's, please.
(pizz use only)
What's the difference?
How about their tension?
Finish? (round, flat, etc.)
Lifespan?
etc.

TIA!

[olivier]

180 = flat wound
360 = round wound

Principal character for these strings is low tension, evenly distributed on the four strings. I got my restored Mirecourt three years ago from the official Velvet/Schertler dealer in France. It came with Velvet 360 which I did not like: too bright (but the bass was fresh from the shop), and difficult arco attack due to low tension (and round wound). Sold them for 50 eurobuck to a rockabilly kid who told me he liked the low tension thang.

[E_bottom]

Could any of the Velvet users please give me an idea of how the strings differ in sound quality form one another? Also could someone give me an idea of which Velvet string gives the bass the loudest natural sound.

[E_bottom]

Thanks Ed as always it's a pleasure . . . I think.

[David Kaczorowski]

Look at the Velvet website. It seems Compas 180 are no longer being made. Also, the site now states that Garbo and Anima are synthetic as well as the compas360.

That's kinda interesting. Two summers ago I installed a used set of Animas to try out. They seemed to lack some of the bottom I was used to gut having. After the winding broke on the G string I cut the string in half to check out the core which turned out to be some kind of synthetic. The cat I bought them from swore up and down they were Animas and not Compas; it seemed true, they were identical to the new Animas I installed after that. hmmm.......

[Nuno A.]

With people like Ed posting, i just feel useless..
He's so right....
A friend of mine use velvet garbos and was completely happy......... i just use the A and E...
I know a guy who just uses the G and D ...
so............play them on your bass and make the decision...only way to be sure...

NUNO

[bootsaco]

i have one questiona about velvet strings that i hope won't be too stupid. i'm just wondering if, since they are synthetic gut, are they still wider in gauge than most steel strings, like gut? i'm in the mood for experimentation lately, but i'd rather not get my nut slots widened just for the sake of experiment.

thanks,

Andy

[oldsaw]

Originally posted by bootsaco
i'm in the mood for experimentation lately, but i'd rather not get my nut slots widened just for the sake of experiment.

thanks,

Andy

Either I'm getting faster with age or all of you have paying gigs at 10:00 pm.

Andy,

Instead of Velvets, I prefer Jocky boxer briefs.....plenty of room in the nut slots.

[Pete OLeary]

Originally posted by bootsaco
i have one questiona about velvet strings that i hope won't be too stupid. i'm just wondering if, since they are synthetic gut, are they still wider in gauge than most steel strings, like gut? i'm in the mood for experimentation lately, but i'd rather not get my nut slots widened just for the sake of experiment.

Velvet strings are NOT synthetic gut. They are genuine gut wound with varying materials.
A search of the string forum might produce the actual sizes of the strings in question.

[kip]

Originally posted by oldsaw



Instead of Velvets, I prefer Jocky boxer briefs.....plenty of room in the nut slots.

Either you have a two string bass, or.......
For humanitarian purposes your application to the Polar Bear Club is hereby denied.