Weak E string on my SB80

[Tony G]

I've been doing some searching through the threads, but am having trouble finding a solution for my problem. I bought my SB80 brand new from Upton Bass in Boston, in August 2010. I believe it is strung with D'addario Helicore Hybrids. Considering I've only been playing URB for a short time, I've tried not to worry about it and work on my playing. However, as time goes on I can't help but be thrown back at the lack of volume and punch the E string has compared to the A, D, and G. My main concern for tone is in playing jazz pizz. I have a bow, but haven't really worked with it yet, and don't really see myself using it on a gig. I've thought about picking up a used E string in the classifieds and experimenting a bit, but could use some advice.

Thanks in advance,
~Tony G

[Eric Hochberg]

Try a Spiro Mittel E string and see if that improves things. If not, a trip to the luthier is in order, maybe a sound post adjustment will help. Or, go to the luthier first and see what happens.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

Try a Spiro Mittel E string and see if that improves things. If not, a trip to the luthier is in order, maybe a sound post adjustment will help. Or, go to the luthier first and see what happens.

I was told that any adjustments would be complimentary in the first year after purchase by Jack at Upton, so I'll be bringing my bass in to have him do a once over on it and make sure everything is as it should be. However, since he's in Boston, Ma, and I'm near Albany, NY, I won't be able to make that trip likely untill early summer.

A quick string change couldn't hurt just for experimental purposes. Should I try to find a full set of used Spiro Mittel, or just stick to grabbing an E string for now? Keep in mind that I have Helicore Hybrids on my bass, and I believe the consensus here is that I could do far better for jazz pizz strings.

[Matt Ides]

Try a new E. I just switched out Helicore Hybrids for Evahs. The E really sings much better now. Also, you might want to raise the string height a bit if the E doesn't have enough room to vibrate.

One other thing: are the strings even under the bow, but not pizz?

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by Matt Ides

Try a new E. I just switched out Helicore Hybrids for Evahs. The E really sings much better now. Also, you might want to raise the string height a bit if the E doesn't have enough room to vibrate.

I actually did that over the past couple of days, completing one full turn on my adjusters to raise the string height. I did notice a slight increase in volume, but it was equal amongst all of the strings.

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by Tony G

I was told that any adjustments would be complimentary in the first year after purchase by Jack at Upton, so I'll be bringing my bass in to have him do a once over on it and make sure everything is as it should be. However, since he's in Boston, Ma, and I'm near Albany, NY, I won't be able to make that trip likely untill early summer.

A quick string change couldn't hurt just for experimental purposes. Should I try to find a full set of used Spiro Mittel, or just stick to grabbing an E string for now? Keep in mind that I have Helicore Hybrids on my bass, and I believe the consensus here is that I could do far better for jazz pizz strings.

For the cost of a luthier visit to check a sound post, I wouldn't wait until summer. Find a good local guy. Besides, you'll spend more than that on gas to Boston...

If you have the budget, get the full set of spiros. Excellent strings. I can tell you the Evah Weichs sound great on my student's SB80.

[Marc Piane]

E strings in general are notorious for being the first string in a set to die.

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Tony, I'm near Albany and have a roughly year-old Spiro Mitt E you can borrow. PM me.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by KUNGfuSHERIFF

Tony, I'm near Albany and have a roughly year-old Spiro Mitt E you can borrow. PM me.

Wow, that would be great, thanks. PM incoming.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

For the cost of a luthier visit to check a sound post, I wouldn't wait until summer. Find a good local guy. Besides, you'll spend more than that on gas to Boston...

If you have the budget, get the full set of spiros. Excellent strings. I can tell you the Evah Weichs sound great on my student's SB80.

I honestly have not been able to find anybody local to Albany, NY. I regularly make trips out to Boston during baseball season, and figured I would take the bass along with me on one of those trips to get it checked out again by Jack at Upton.

Which spiros would you recommend? I'll look into the Evah Weichs as well.

[Bobby King]

I had an SB80 and my favorite strings on it were Spiro Weichs. The Weich E was better than the Mittel, IMO. The Shen sounded better with slightly lower tension, and Weichs were perfect.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by Bobby King

I had an SB80 and my favorite strings on it were Spiro Weichs. The Weich E was better than the Mittel, IMO. The Shen sounded better with slightly lower tension, and Weichs were perfect.

Good to know. Thanks.



On another note, can anyone confirm which helicore hybrid strings I have? The silk wrap at the tail piece is green and gold.

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by Tony G

On another note, can anyone confirm which helicore hybrid strings I have? The silk wrap at the tail piece is green and gold.

Those are the hybrids, don't know how you determine the gauge on those. Maybe peg end colors...

[Marc Piane]

The peg ends have a colored band that tells you the gauge. Truthfully those strings never worked for me.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

Those are the hybrids, don't know how you determine the gauge on those. Maybe peg end colors...

Originally Posted by fingers

The peg ends have a colored band that tells you the gauge. Truthfully those strings never worked for me.

Ok, cool. I'll take a look when I get home from work and post up what color they are at the peg end.

I want to thank everyone that has posted for their help on this matter. It is greatly appreciated.

[Matt Ides]

Originally Posted by Tony G

Good to know. Thanks.



On another note, can anyone confirm which helicore hybrid strings I have? The silk wrap at the tail piece is green and gold.

Lights = Gold wrap at peg end
Medium = Blue "
Heavy = Red "

[michaeln]

My SB90 really woke up when I changed the Helicore Hybrid Lights that came on it and put on EP Weich. The E speaks with authority now. I think they are a great match for this bass.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by Matt Ides

Lights = Gold wrap at peg end
Medium = Blue "
Heavy = Red "

Great, thanks for the color codes!

Originally Posted by michaeln

My SB90 really woke up when I changed the Helicore Hybrid Lights that came on it and put on EP Weich. The E speaks with authority now. I think they are a great match for this bass.

Well, for now I'm going to try the Spiro Mitt E that KUNGfuSHERIFF is letting me borrow. I will definitely keep the EP Weich's in mind though. I was quickly looking at the Jazzers as well, if anyone has any thoughts on those.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by Matt Ides

Lights = Gold wrap at peg end
Medium = Blue "
Heavy = Red "

Ok, I took a look at my bass, and something isn't quite right. As I mentioned in a post above, the silk wrap at the tail piece is green and gold, where the gold spirals around the green. However, at the peg end, the colors are all different. They are as follows:

E - green
A - black (or very dark blue or purple?)
D - gold
G - red

Help please....

[michaeln]

If they have about 1" of gold silk immediately above the green / gold silk (between the bridge and the tailpiece), then those are Helicore Hybrid Lights. I'm pretty sure that's what Shen installs at the factory.