Velvet strings megathread part III - Page 4

PRUNEFACE · #61 03-15-2011, 04:58 PM

I love my Velvet Compas 180s w/ C/E string. I don't know, however, whether it can be tuned to solo tuning safely. Does Velvet make a Compas 180 C-extension set that tunes to solo? I can't load their site for some reason on top of everything else and I can't find a "SUIT" or "SOLO" set for C extension.

EDIT: Can MY set be tuned to solo?

eerbrev · #62 03-15-2011, 07:37 PM

most people I know who use solo tuning and have a c extension just get used to having a 5th in between their low E and B (A) strings, thus avoiding the issue entirely. There are a few sets with a low D/F# string, but i can't think of any off the bat. seems like an expensive prospect to me.

eerbrev

PRUNEFACE · #63 03-16-2011, 05:51 PM

well I suppose most importantly I am asking if the Compas 180s can be tuned solo, as their tension is WAY less than Thomatik Infeld's and Pirastro's

Jake deVilliers · #64 03-16-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRUNEFACE

well I suppose most importantly I am asking if the Compas 180s can be tuned solo, as their tension is WAY less than Thomatik Infeld's and Pirastro's

Why don't you just email Nuno at info@velvetstrings.com - I'm sure he knows the answer.

Eric Hochberg · #65 03-16-2011, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

Why don't you just email Nuno at info@velvetstrings.com - I'm sure he knows the answer.

The Compas 180 Suit set are made for solo tuning and orchestra tuning.

PRUNEFACE · #66 03-17-2011, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

The Compas 180 Suit set are made for solo tuning and orchestra tuning.

interesting that you say that -if you look at the charts they have there is NOT much difference in tension. For example, a Thomastik Spiro G is 33kg(round-abouts) and the G of the REGULAR Compas 180s is 25kg. I believe the suit set is 24/25 kg at orchestral tuning. I could be looking at this entirely wrong, however.

PRUNEFACE · #67 03-17-2011, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

Why don't you just email Nuno at info@velvetstrings.com - I'm sure he knows the answer.

Unfortunately it was undeliverable

Jake deVilliers · #68 03-17-2011, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRUNEFACE

Unfortunately it was undeliverable

That's funny - I emailed him just last week...I just checked and the Velvet site seems to be down.

You can get him at his personal email: basscrazy72 (at) hotmail.com

PRUNEFACE · #69 03-17-2011, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

That's funny - I emailed him just last week...I just checked and the Velvet site seems to be down.

You can get him at his personal email: basscrazy72 (at) hotmail.com

may want to edit out his email address so he doesnt get spammed, but I emailed him. Thank you!

AndreasH · #70 03-24-2011, 09:43 PM

Hey, Talkbass! Long time no see

Does anyone have experience with the new Garbo set with gut G?

I've tried a similar combination with older Garbo E+A, light D and Artone G and I really liked it!

I've been playing Carlos Chordas for about a year now, but I keep looking back at the good old Garbo days

So if someone out there has a report, or even a comparison between regular Garbo G and Garbo gut G, I would be very happy!

JayB · #71 04-11-2011, 08:43 AM

I have a question for Anima users. I just put on a complete set, which I'm digging for many reasons. Unfortunately, as I got a set installed during my spring setup at David Gage's shop, the A string snapped while being tuned to pitch. No biggie, they had them as singles in stock and I got my refund from the shop I got the full set from (thanks Quinn Violins!)

Upon closer inspection, I noticed the gaps in the winding is a SLIGHTLY wider/more corse on my A than with the E and D, which have really tight windings currently. The G is different in the expected way. Could I have gotten an older generation for the replacement loose string? Or will the other two "catch up" as they stretch? If I got an old one, I might just order another A. Either way, not a deal breaker, these things rock.

jdombrow · #72 04-11-2011, 09:28 PM

Jay, you may need to have the nut slots widened a bit. I had the same problem with my Anima A string - it broke while tuning one day. My teacher pointed out that they are a larger diameter than most strings and it was likely getting caught in the nut.

JayB · #73 04-12-2011, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HCF

So, maybe this was just me or an installation mistake, but this has already started to happen with my 2 week old Animas. Not quite as bad, but I can see silk. Is this just a look thing (which I could care less about), or am I close to a breakage already?

Man, I hope these things last. They have that Tom Waits "Heart of Saturday Night" tone I love and I really want to keep using them.

Nuno A. · #74 04-13-2011, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayB

So, maybe this was just me or an installation mistake, but this has already started to happen with my 2 week old Animas. Not quite as bad, but I can see silk. Is this just a look thing (which I could care less about), or am I close to a breakage already?

Man, I hope these things last. They have that Tom Waits "Heart of Saturday Night" tone I love and I really want to keep using them.

Dear Jay, im sorry i didnt answer your email before, but i was out of the country, i will email you today, meanwhile , if you want to save time drop me a line with your address so that i can send you a replacement string.
best regards

Nuno

JayB · #75 04-13-2011, 09:06 AM

That's service, folks! You rock (and swing!), Nuno.

EDIT:

I've now received several e-mails from Nuno that have solved my issues above and beyond my expectations. Yeah, Velvets are not Spirocores and will have some sorts of durability concerns compared to say all steel or plain gut. That said, these guys clearly stand behind their product and want to make sure bassist who buy their stuff get a what they pay for. If the expense of frequent replacement is scaring you away from Velvets, I've found that such a fear would be unjustified. Communicate with them and don't try to game the situation. I bet you'll be pleased with the response you get from this small, bassist owned and operated company.

Nathan Levine · #76 04-15-2011, 09:47 PM

Just installed a set of Blues. They sound great and are settling in quickly. A bit bright perhaps, but i know they will darken up nicely in the days (weeks?) to come. Weirdly though, I am getting a strange metallic buzz when I bow the E string. Nothing seems to be vibrating against anything else. Any ideas?

stanhamrick · #77 04-16-2011, 04:19 PM

Hi,

Decided to try the Animas. I really like the sound and tension, the feel is a little different but I think I can live with that. The strings (particularly where my hands spend the most time) are turning dark. Is that normal/common? Is that my hand sweat ph causing that? Should I be concerned?

Thanks!

Bijoux · #78 04-16-2011, 04:36 PM

I used a set of Animas about 6 years ago. They also turned black, and my fingers would get sort of a dark green I think. I guess it was normal. I really had to be good a wiping them down every time I played.
I liked them a lot at first, but for a period of 2 years i felt like their kept feeling more and more stiff and dull, and well... I hate changing strings, and they cost a lot of money. But if I didn't mind the money and the fact that I don't ever want to change strings if I don't have to. Animas would then be probably my number one strings.

martinc · #79 04-17-2011, 10:08 AM

I've been using Animas since last September and have had no discolouration at all....either on the strings or on my fingers. So I would not say it's normal.
They still sound good. I'm very happy with them.

Nuno A. · #80 04-17-2011, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stanhamrick

Hi,

Decided to try the Animas. I really like the sound and tension, the feel is a little different but I think I can live with that. The strings (particularly where my hands spend the most time) are turning dark. Is that normal/common? Is that my hand sweat ph causing that? Should I be concerned?

Thanks!

Its normal that the strings will get darker, thats a natural reaction of the copper with the oxygen.. honestly i never had the green or black fingers, although i've read of players who got them, and my strings never really got so dark as some i've seen, maybe its has something to do also with the players perspiration. try cleaning the strings with a bit of toothpaste in a rag, toothpaste cleans the copper nicely.

Nuno