What strings did ray brown use?

danengland · #1 08-10-2007, 02:12 PM

Hi
I rememeber reading somewhere that Ray Brown used Spirocore Weichs - does anybody know if this is the case?

TroyK · #2 08-10-2007, 03:21 PM

I saw him using Spirocore Mettiels once, but I think he had different strings at different times and on different basses. I wouldn't doubt that he also used Weiches.

I think he also used Lycons, which don't exisit anymore. DRURB has the package as an Avatar.

If you look at old pictures of him, you'll see plain gut on at least D and G.

So, it depends on how old the recording you're listening to is.

I don't know what was wrong with that flakey guy. Switching brands of strings every 15 years or so. Geeze, just pick something and stick with it like the rest of us.

SpectorBass308 · #3 08-10-2007, 03:28 PM

bass strings

Uncletoad · #4 08-10-2007, 04:29 PM

Lots of discussion about this all over this board. Search Ray Brown for details.

Summary is that he used Guts until around '59. After then he used steel strings. He spent the several decades with Spirocore Mittels. He may have switched to Weichs in the last waning years as his hands were wearing out.

He sounded like himself throughout his career regardless of the strings he used.

See the "ultimate solution" thread.

TroyK · #5 08-10-2007, 04:36 PM

I was fortunate enough to see him play twice. The second time was the month that he died. He looked great, he sounded great and he pulled those strings about a foot and half on every quarter note with no apparent effort.

He was amazing.

One time I saw him, he was playing through an SWR WM15 combo (surely borrowed) and he sounded exactly like Ray Brown.

By the way, John Clayton has his bass now and when he plays it, he sounds just like John Clayton.

drurb · #6 08-10-2007, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyK

I think he also used Lycons, which don't exisit anymore. DRURB has the package as an Avatar.

Oh, I did love those strings... There was a special Ray Brown set. Check the gray box at this link where it says, "Bassist Paul Warburton remembers:"

Paul Warburton · #7 08-14-2007, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

Oh, I did love those strings... There was a special Ray Brown set. Check the gray box at this link where it says, "Bassist Paul Warburton remembers:"

Lycon strings were the strings of the gods!!!

msabp · #8 10-26-2009, 10:13 AM

There was a guy in (I think, but I'm not sure) Greenland who made strings for Ray Brown, they where his signature set and they sounded great on arco, pizz, or whatever. But that guy died and his family kept making them, but they never got them quite right.

davidprice · #9 10-26-2009, 10:32 AM

No idea what strings he used but had the privilege of meeting him several times (I've worked on staff at the Monterey Jazz Fest for 20+ years). Always a true gentleman, very friendly and very approachable - as was Milt Hinton.

A photo of mine of Ray:

copyright me, blah blah blah...

Paul Warburton · #10 10-26-2009, 10:45 AM

As Toad said in that old post, it depends on what period.
Ray was a friend and I kept pretty good track of his stuff.
Early guts on the G and D with A and E wrapped guts. Then Artone guts on the top with steel on the bottom. Then the Fabuous Lycons from Denmark (his special endorsed package) all steel. Then Thomastik orchestras with the demise of Lycon.
Last time I played his bass it was strung with Thomastik Solo strings tuned down to regular tuning and the action was way low compared to the last time, but he was still ******* loud and earth-moving.

Aw, what the hell. Here's another chance to post this shot of us at a jazz party......both us using Thomastik O's.
The legendary PW Porno Star look.

Eric Hochberg · #11 10-26-2009, 10:48 AM

Are you sure that photo is Ray? Looks more like Milt to me, at least the left hand...

Paul Warburton · #12 10-26-2009, 10:57 AM

Oops, Eric. We posted at the same time.
Actually, Ray is copping a feel with his left hand in my shot.

EDIT: Milt took our picture, BTW.

davidprice · #13 10-26-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehochberg

Are you sure that photo is Ray? Looks more like Milt to me, at least the left hand...

Yeah, that one is Ray. It is not a very clear pic given the motion. Unfortunately I didn't get any of Milt. I was at a terrific conversation that Milt did with Danny Barker. Wish I got some shots of that.

This place is such a great resource as exemplified by Paul's definitive string low down...

EDIT: now you are making me question my memory as you are right that it looks a lot like Milt - I had "Ray Brown" written down and he was there a number of times -- whereas I only remember Milt 2 times at Monterey while I was working there.

Paul Warburton · #14 10-26-2009, 11:12 AM

Thanks, David.
That was a fun thing we did every year here in Denver. The Dick Gibson Jazz Party.
We had just gotten off of one of The Judge's (Milt) Bass Spectaculars. Ray, John Clayton, Keeter Betts, Carson Smith, Milt, George Duvivier and myownself. None of us wanted to be next to Ray. He'd drown us out.
Wise ass.

Uncletoad · #15 10-26-2009, 11:27 AM

Does anyone know how high he set his strings?

Paul Warburton · #16 10-26-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

Does anyone know how high he set his strings?

I don't do that measurement thing specifically, but through the years I would say, by today's standards, medium. I don't remember a period where I would think "Wow. That's really high."
In the end they really were pretty low, at least to me. I was shocked how he could get that sound acoustically without a lot more grab.

Marcus Johnson · #17 10-26-2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

Aw, what the hell. Here's another chance to post this shot of us at a jazz party......both us using Thomastik O's.
The legendary PW Porno Star look.

Which one is you?

Kaspar Vadsholt · #18 10-26-2009, 04:51 PM

In '92, during my conservatory days, I attended a clinic by Ray Brown in Copenhagen. His acoustic sound filled the room, yet he played so relaxed. I got to play for him on his bass, strung with spiros, and the action was surprisingly low.
But it still sounded like Ray Brown; that biig, commanding sound.
Afterwards we talked, I had my wife and my newborn child with me, and he was very kind and gracious.
Anyway, a nice memory to have.

Paul Warburton · #19 10-26-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Which one is you?

The one that looks very nervous.

Scott McC · #20 10-26-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

The one that looks very nervous.

I think that look is more of a lanky Harvey Keitel thing than porn star. Beauty of a picture sir!