Quote:
Originally Posted by Samie  I use to think that a jazz setup usually ment lower string set up. The more I look into youtube, many virtuoso DB arco players are using lower and lower action with higher tension strings.
Is this correct? can u get a good arco sound with low action high tension strings?
how low is this set up? http://youtube.com/watch?v=6l4JazNapIk |
Ok, first off that Bass was tuned up a whole step which is called 'solo tuning'. These are not necessarily high tension strings. Each string is different and acts differently on different Basses. His Bass has sloping shoulders (possibly cut) and an extended fingerboard. Obviously that Bass is set up for solo playing.
He sounds great by the way.
For solo playing, it is not uncommon to set the strings not only lower, but slightly closer together as well. Each soloist has his own preference for set-up but that is another subject.
For Orchestra or Jazz I mainly use Flexocor 92s in either regular gauge, Stark/heavy gauge or regular gauge with a Stark E. I also have Basses with or without C-Extensions.
On one of my Basses (the Martini) I have had it as low as 3mm/G and 6mm/E with Stark gauge Flexs (Ext. E/C as well). On some recent programs I did with 3 different orchestras I had a lot of Pizz things to play, mainly Christmas concerts. For that I raised the strings to 5mm/G and 8mm/E if not slightly higher.
A few weeks earlier I did a Jazz duo gig with that same Bass and used the lower set-up. Jazz Pizz and Orchestra Pizz (with a Bow in my hand) are completely different techniques from on another. I pull from the side for Jazz by the end of the fingerboard so lower is fine and I pick higher up the fingerboard towards the Neck for Orchestra (depending on the volume needed) lifting from under the string. Another Jazz gig I did with a trio recently with drums added required my to raise the Strings because I was not using an Amp. This was the request (no amp) for that actual gig.
My other Orchestra Bass I currently use has my higher set-up as well now but with regular gauge strings. Mostly I notice the difference with the Bow as far as the pressure needed for each type/gauge of string. A few months earlier I had a duo gig with Bass and Vibes. I used a Bass with regular Flexes and a Stark E with medium action, about 4mm/7mm. The strings on that Bass are fairly loose but not floppy, just not tight. Because that Bass is so deep sounding I found myself playing extra hard to hear my notes. That Bass is so loud in the distance though but so deep when you play it. I got a HUGE blister by the end of the first set. Popped it with a tooth pick and finished the gig (3 sets).
Strings, tension, set-up etc is always different on any given day. As winter approached and the Backs all shrunk on my Basses, they pull the Fingerboard slightly closer to the strings lowering the action on their own. This calls for some Bridge adjuster tweaking. At times like this, it's great to have the adjusters as I have even used them while playing between rests. Re-tuning while playing is the other problem but I guess I'm quick on the draw because no one ever complains about my intonation... Practice, practice..
