Double Bass 2022 Spirocore Challenge

[JLubinsky-Mast]

Personally I feel like I've already won. Since I've not taken a pen knife to my ear drums based on the whine of the G&D. Haha.
I'm using some very old weichs that never got a lot of use.
Both my basses ('39 Moretone with guts, and a '52 American Standard) are extremely "transparent", I feel like they really highlight the differences in mixed sets. This is different from the bass I owned before (late 1800's German thing) which I think blended strings better.
A few years ago I had weichs on the E&A and mittels on the D&G, which was just an experiment I tried while waiting for a set of reds to arrive. And to my ear, on the American Standard, there was significant and significant tonal difference.

I think I'm going to sit on this weich set for a while, but I may try the mittel G, and hope it fixes some wimpyness, and doesn't stick out too much.

 

[Papageno]

I read reports that a new variant of BSOAS (Bass String Obsession Acute Syndrome) is currently spreading rapidly...

 

[Bar Star]

My appeal is that usually most people whom I play with, know me to play gut strings, and they expect a "thing". I'm cool putting myself through misery to find the tone in my fingers, but, I'm still going to make a choice before I leave my house to a gig, that best serves the people I'm playing with.

I’d suggest talking to your bandmates/bandleader(s) about your interest in trying new strings (maybe don’t mention why though!) and see how receptive they are. They might be willing to try it out for one gig and you would all get to experience the difference together. Their feedback would be valuable data for you (and us!)

Or maybe just bring the bass with the Spiros and see if anyone notices/cares!
After all, as @james condino regularly reminds us, usually the only people who notice the bass tone are you and the one bass player in the audience!

Either way, you would ensure that get to last a little longer in the challenge and don’t “leave your fate in the hands of the judges”

 

[oliebrice]

Been using them for nearly 4 years and outside of the occasional hankering to try Gerold Genssler's strings, I have no plans on going back

Stay strong! I spent a lot of money scratching that itch and ended up back on the mittles poorer and happier...

 

[Selim]

@Selim , did you feel this way about the entire 3/4 weich set or just the G? Only asking because according to Joey Naeger's spreadsheet, the 3/4 Weichs are slightly less tense than the 4/4 Mittels (assuming a 41.5" string length) with the exception of the G (Mittel = 60.7, 3/4 Weich = 62.3).

That was the whole set. Better when I paired them with Polychrome DG.
I think it might have mostly been that I just preferred the 4/4 tone (both mittel and weich) for arco. And I could be remembering it wrong re tension.

 

[Ed S]

Just another kibitzer here (tho I'm having a used Spiro mite E sent to me today that I'm eager to put under my Evahs.) But to the extent this challenge is aimed at compiling data, I thought it might be worthwhile to allow a brief "sabbatical" during which participants could switch back to their old/different strings. If you allowed participants to switch strings - maybe for a week, maybe during months 5-8 - it might allow them better to compare what they are hearing/experiencing w/ the spiros.

Just a thought.

 

[Sam Reese]

I certainly learned a ton when I switched from Evah Slaps to back to Spiros!

 

[TroyK]

This isn't supposed to be complicated. Put Spirocores on for a year and don't experiment with other strings. I realize that some people have an "office bass" that they teach with and I'm willing to hear special cases, but no sabbatacals, no breaks. You've got to make it a year with Spirocores.

This is not primarily about data gathering, it's about giving Spirocores a fair chance and focusing on playing and making things work without going to the sting box or trying new things.

There will be some interesting information that comes out of it, but that's a side benefit. 2023 can be the year of contrast to that year that you stuck with Spirocores.

 

[Ed S]

Cool. Enjoy!

 

[JLubinsky-Mast]

Are we having fun yet?

 

[TroyK]

You know what? I am.

I am also having my first existential string crisis (4 days in).

The 3885W set I installed has a not good quality about the G String and both it and the neighboring D were being Wolfie, which doesn't seem to be a thing with other string sets. So, I ordered a fresh set and was/am going to get some luthier help if needed once it arrives.

But, sticking the S42M G on there resolved the problems with both D and G and is frankly pretty awesome. Now, I'm wishing I had waited to order the fresh set.

Practiced about 5 hours yesterday and was in bliss, arco and pizz.

 

[Brad_Pearson]

When I put the matching Weich G string on the other day it felt really out of place next to the rest of the worked-in set. Its starting to mellow out now and I'm enjoying the clarity under the bow, especially practicing scales all the way to the end of the board. Synthetic cored strings just don't sing up there the way an all metal string does. Not that I have much musicality up there, its just fun to shed.

 

[Aragorn35016]

1-2 hours a day of practice every day, half of which is arco. No problems other than those of my own generation. I like the strings way more than the EP’s I had before. Definitely louder and clearer. More growl on pitz. I’m pretty sold.

 

[Don Hergert]

It's good to see some string experiences happening. It was pretty quiet in here this morning, I was afraid everyone had changed their strings to something non-Spiro and started a new thread.

Like going to play a gig and finding out the rest of your band gave you the wrong address...

 

[JLubinsky-Mast]

It's been interesting going back, I understand what people love about these strings. But i'm not wired that way.
My E&A have had more use the last time they werer on the bass than the D&G, so I'm not hating them.
But, every morning between 5&6 am (my apartment is slated for demoliton and I have no neighbours either side of me), for the past month I've been opening the bass case and going through a routine of long tones, finger exercises, and arpeggios. A pleasurable way to start the day
This past week, when I pull the towel from the between the strings that unmistakable "ziiiing" emanates from the bass.
Here's hoping March holds duller tones...

 

[Mark_T]

I’m an eager (mostly-)lurker here. Just threw an old S42W extended E and A on my bass. Still have the FD D and G but I’m planning to swap those tomorrow too (I’m slow at changing strings and ran out of time, also wanted to try strings one at a time).

Not promising to stick with it but curious anyway. Some of this reminds me of jumping in the cold water in the canals of Copenhagen (I did it a few times last month) and getting out and telling people “it’s bracing but it feels great” (which I also did).

Happy playing folks!

 

[Mark_T]

I’m an eager (mostly-)lurker here. Just threw an old S42W extended E and A on my bass. Still have the FD D and G but I’m planning to swap those tomorrow too.

Welp, the S42W D went on and came right back off. I tried it for a little bit, but playing up the neck revealed a stark tonal difference between the FD G and adjacent notes on the S42W D. One the strings was going to have to go. The tone on the G was so much prettier - sweet and singing with good sustain. The D was a bit nasal and pinched, so off it came and I’m back the FDs on the top two strings. For reference, I’m basically a pure arco player.

I’m still liking the Spiro E and A, but I wonder if I might prefer Mittels for those two strings… Anyway looks like I’m leaving the club but good luck to those of you who stay.

 

[TroyK]

Thanks for stopping by!

 

[Don Kasper]

I'll leave this here for those who may need it....

You're Welcome!

 

[Aragorn35016]