Double Bass 2022 Spirocore Challenge

[Jason Hollar]

Hey

If you read that carefully you’ll see that the belcanto G went on for 5 mins and the weich 3885 G went straight back on… does that count?

I’ll allow it.

Although technically in violation of the rules, we could all use a little forgiveness these days.

 

[TroyK]

 

[Scott Lynch]

I’m still in. Still have had the same set of mittels on my bass all year. Experimenting with slightly higher string height right now.

 

[Don Hergert]

It's hard to vote no against one of our low pitched brothers, but the rules were clear. If it had said a non Spiro string could be on for 5 minutes, then...

This challenge has illustrated a lot of things about Spiros and also a lot about human nature. In this case, the grass might have been greener.

 

[BobbyT]

I wasn’t technically in the challenge because I put the Spiros on in Dec. 2020, and the rules say you can’t have had Spiros for every month of 2021.

But I still wanted to chime in here because I’m now coming up on the two year mark and still feeling great about how the sound annd playability and have no plans to change or try anything different.

After 10+ years playing synthetic strings there is just another level of dynamics and nuance available with Spiros that I am really enjoying. It feels like my instrument has opened up in many ways.

 

[Sam Reese]

Five minutes with the Bel Canto G string...is that any different metaphorically than Eve taking a bite of the apple? I think not, and for that reason- you're ***

 

[Don Hergert]

Ugh... I hate it when that happens.

 

[TroyK]

Judges:
@Jason Hollar
@dhergert
@Sam Reese
@Sam Dingle
@Bar Star

Here's what I've got, you can take it from here. I don't make a distinction here between people who have weighed in this week and said they are definitely still in and people who haven't checked in for a while, but never reported falling out. It looks like at least 1/2 of us made it this far.

In:
@TroyK
@Scott Lynch
@oliebrice
@Matt Ides
@ablumley
@PaperbackRyder
@ericsmith
@lrhbass
@Reiska
@jlmorgan84
@Ryan in PDX
@strigidae
@JLubinsky-Mast
@Levin S
@abaguer

Out:
@Aragorn35016
@Selim
@Sean Riddle
@Brad_Pearson
@Rama Temmink
@Doug Harrison
@what the pluck

I think we have a split judge's decision on:
@Jason Hollar

 

[Don Hergert]

Troy, I think all the judges have weighed in on @what the pluck 's unfortunate situation. Do we have to have 100% unity with that, or does a majority among the judges work?

Also, does anyone have any differences with @TroyK 's lists??? If so, please speak up!

 

[TroyK]

Troy, I think all the judges have weighed in on @what the pluck 's unfortunate situation. Do we have to have 100% unity with that, or does a majority among the judges work?

Also, does anyone have any differences with @TroyK 's lists??? If so, please speak up!

I've got no oversight of the judiciary. You guys work it out!

 

[Jason Hollar]

I suggest a majority decision is fair.

 

[Don Hergert]

I'd agree, majority decision.

And my vote counts for three votes! (Just kidding )

 

[Bar Star]

I think a simple majority should carry the decision.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

The stakes are so high… I can’t watch!

 

[Don Hergert]

So, it looks like a simple majority of the judges agree that a simple majority of the judges can decide.

Is that right?

 

[james condino]

Does it count if I have all Spiros on one of my basses for the whole year that never come off? It's the one with a Krivo pickup that I always gig with. All of my others are Spirocore, but one has an Olive G that is older than this thread....

 

[Don Hergert]

Hmmm, my simple life is disappearing...

... Does it count ...

It counts as statistically significant, yes. And even more for me since this was on your Alcoa.

Everyone still engaged in the Challenge made a formal commitment at or before the beginning of the event on January 1 this year.

 

[Sam Reese]

@what the pluck why did the Bel canto only last 5 minutes on your bass? I probably would have left something on easily longer than 5 minutes...say, a half an hour or so anyway.

 

[abaguer]

I"ve been out because i don't have spiros on my classical bass and have done gigs with it this year but I've had full set spiro 42s on my jazz bass which has seen 90% of the work and they are still going strong. Currently doing 5 to 7 shows a week in local theatre run where I have pizz and arco parts and they do both jobs nicely. Also amplify well with dark but clear sound and cut through 7 piece band with horns.

 

[Ryan in PDX]

I've had very few public double bass excursions this year, but recently participated in a workshop. I had the least experience as a player, the cheapest bass, and the only Spiro set. Listening back to my recording, I am honestly shocked at the range of sounds I was getting - and more for better than for worse. The other basses all sounded good with (I think) Evahs, Obligatos, Helicores, and guts... but I have zero string envy right now and, at least temporarily, zero string curiosity as well. More than plenty to work on as far as my playing goes, but I'm beyond content with my sound.