What are great light guage low tension strings for my Czech/Ease

[GeeBass]

Here is my situation – 12 yrs ago, I broke my L hand in 5 places in a bad head-on car crash.
I’ve been playing electric bass professionally full time since then – but after all this time I was longing to try to get back to playing some upright again.

I ordered a Czech Ease from Gage’s shop, and due to severely reduced hand strength and a doctors recommendation NOT to ‘play thru the pain’, I’m looking for some nice warm, full and round sounding strings that have very low tension and a lighter guage. I understand that some tone and ‘bigness’ will be sacrificed doing this – but I will always be playing thru a small amp – and it is either this, or probably not being able to get back into playing acoustic bass again – so I will need to make these tradeoffs work for me by modifying touch to coax out tone, and amp settings.

I’ve had Thomastic Superflexables suggested (although I hear these are only available in orch and solo gauges), also weichs, and solo guage Thomastics. I know Harvie S suggests the LaBella 7720L set for this bass – but it is hard to find anyone else who uses these to get impressions on them.

So – you experienced players - please let me know your suggestins for a great light guage very low-tension string set for my Czech Ease bass. I’ve been away from the upright world for quite awhile, and I am out of touch on what is available these days to suit my particular unusual needs. I’ll be playing rootsy, bluesy music, jazz standards, ect.

Also: Is anyone using “solo” guage strings tuned to standard pitch for a lighter setup and action – let me know if this is a posibility for me – or are these just TOO light to get a good sound from ?

Thanks in advance everyone !!!

[KSB - Ken Smith]

I don't personally use them but I have played basses with Solos tuned normal to lessen the tension. With the amp and tone settings, you should be able to play as you like and let the amp do the work. Pick the string though that gives the best sound as well. Over playing solo strings to compensate for thin sounding strings puts you back where you started.

There are some brands out there as well that are lighter gauged and tension like Correlli's. I played one bass with them and they felt nice for Pizz and bowed ok as well.

A good set-up with minimal Fingerboard camber should also help the playing touch.

[GeeBass]

Thanks for the info Ken !!

I'm also looking, now that Ken has brought this up - for setup / fingerboard suggestions/tips for a low setup with
the lighter low-tension strings

BTW: I don't intend to play arco much, if at all - so arco performance is a very low consideration.

Any more comments/suggestions from experienced players is appreciated !

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by GeeBass

Thanks for the info Ken !!

I'm also looking, now that Ken has brought this up - for setup / fingerboard suggestions/tips for a low setup with
the lighter low-tension strings

BTW: I don't intend to play arco much, if at all - so arco performance is a very low consideration.

Any more comments/suggestions from experienced players is appreciated !

The only two people I will let work on my personal Basses now for set-up/restoration are Jeff Bollbach in L.I. NY and Arnold Schnitzer in NY. I also have work done by Paul Biase in NYC as I know him 35 years and trust him but for a delicate set-up as you describe, I recommend Arnold or Jeff. No one else in NY or within a 300 mile radius of you that I know of does as good consistent work as they do, no one.

[GeeBass]

Ken - I was hoping - since I'm getting this bass new directly from the Gage shop (I live in north NJ)- to get a decent setup from them upon delivery - I'd hate to have to take it elsewhere immediately upon delivery to get what I need setup wise. So, I am trying to learn what I need to request to achieve a light/low action and feel, while still letting the strings 'speak' strongly and not buzz or rattle on the board.

I'm also trying to get some more experienced suggestions re: light guage low-tensions strings that would work well for my needs on a Czech Ease - my L hand situation makes my string needs for lighter guage & low tension out of the 'norm' for most players. The Gage shop was suggesting throwing on weichs - so I need to get a good idea of the best string for my needs, as I'm not so sure the weichs would provide the string feel I've described that I am looking for.

My Czech Ease has arrived, and it's about to be strung & setup this week - so please - let's hear some more opinions and suggestions for nice low-tension light guage strings to use on it.

Also - would like to hear impressions/opinions from anyone else using "solo" guage strings tuned to regular tuning.
What brands/models are you using ?

THANKS for all the help !!

[conte2music]

flexocor light guage or solos? I think the flexocors sound pretty nice on the czech-ease. Maybe a spiro weich e with the other three flexocor. Best of luck, and I hope you can make any arrangements needed to get back on double bass regularly.

[Pat Harris]

I use a set Thamastik Spirocore solo strings on my bass.... and leave them in standard tuning. It's been great for jazz, and they're great for playing solo classical lit. I don't know why everyone complains that you can't bow Spiros, but I don't have a problem with them. They are not the best for bigger "classical" ensembles where you need to really move some air, but for what you're looking to do, I think they could be ideal.

[Mark Perna]

If you really want low tension strings go with gut strings and an action just high enough so they speak (which is a little higher than with steel strings). They're expensive but they'll last a really long time and there will be even less pressure on your hands than with solo gauge Spiros tuned down a step. I've used Gamuts in the past and really liked them.

mark

[AMJBASS]

I would also recommend the Thomastik Spirocore solo set. They are very easy to play, and I find them to have a really nice tone as well. I think you would do well with them.