Double Bass 2022 Spirocore Challenge

[Jason Sypher]

10 year check in with the same set of Dominants with a Spiro Stark E that is only 6 months old, changed only because the old one finally broke: I can only echo @Ryan in PDX 's sentiments. There is so much to be said for sticking with a set of strings and a basic setup and learning how to find your voice from that place over time. So often I have seen people looking for a magic bullet in the form of a new bass or amp or set of strings that will get them the sound they are looking for; but by jumping from one thing to another in this quest, it is easy to overlook the one constant in all of it - the player. It's true that new things are exciting, but there is also a certain beauty in discovering how to be your best self with precisely what you already have at your fingertips.

Clearly I am on my second glass of post-gig wine, but I am reminded by an old favorite passage from Will Durant when this topic comes up:

Marry. It is better than burning, as Holy Writ has it, and enables one to think of something else. For an abnormal man like Nietzsche, a sister may be better than a wife; but a normal man will find a sister inadequate. Once that elementary problem is solved, we can move about in the world without being distracted at every turn by the flutter of a skirt; we realize that however different the garments may be, women* are substantially identical; that under the varying phenomena (as a metaphysician would say) there is always the same underlying reality. And so we become moderately content, and even learn to love our mates after a while. It may be true that a married man will do anything for money; but only a married man could develop such versatility.

And so it is, I think, with basses and strings and amps. Post-gig wine or no, the fact is that the gig was excellent on a bass that has been the main axe for 18 years now, with an amp that has been the main amp for 15 years, and with a 10 year old set of strings. This focus on the music would not have been likely had I been tweaking and experimenting with gear. The old wife is a good wife, and the dancing is more enjoyable for the familiarity.

Back on topic, keep on rocking those wonderful Spirocores!



* please forgive Mr. Durant this politically incorrect phraseology; this book was written in the 1930s, and it's clear that he and Ariel did indeed love each other very much!

He has a point. Find one that has many of the traits you admire while also a solid core of steel. The wrapping will eventually tarnish and may unwind at points but if the core is solid you will be able to work around the snags. There will be a lot of zing in the beginning, it might even be fatiguing but eventually the zing and brightness will mellow into a warm fundamental foundation that you can build upon. There will be plenty of new strings, some of which will appear more attractive, even promise you will become a better more attractive player. But to follow their lead is folly for after the initial flush you will find that you are now less than you were, before you chased the new plastic core nonsense. Now broke, you will try to go back and put the old familiar back together only to find you’ve dented it and created new weak spots threatening to break. Because it was you all along.

 

[Keith Rawlings]

10 year check in with the same set of Dominants with a Spiro Stark E that is only 6 months old, changed only because the old one finally broke: I can only echo @Ryan in PDX 's sentiments. There is so much to be said for sticking with a set of strings and a basic setup and learning how to find your voice from that place over time. So often I have seen people looking for a magic bullet in the form of a new bass or amp or set of strings that will get them the sound they are looking for; but by jumping from one thing to another in this quest, it is easy to overlook the one constant in all of it - the player. It's true that new things are exciting, but there is also a certain beauty in discovering how to be your best self with precisely what you already have at your fingertips.

Clearly I am on my second glass of post-gig wine, but I am reminded of an old favorite passage from Will Durant when this topic comes up:

Marry. It is better than burning, as Holy Writ has it, and enables one to think of something else. For an abnormal man like Nietzsche, a sister may be better than a wife; but a normal man will find a sister inadequate. Once that elementary problem is solved, we can move about in the world without being distracted at every turn by the flutter of a skirt; we realize that however different the garments may be, women* are substantially identical; that under the varying phenomena (as a metaphysician would say) there is always the same underlying reality. And so we become moderately content, and even learn to love our mates after a while. It may be true that a married man will do anything for money; but only a married man could develop such versatility.

And so it is, I think, with basses and strings and amps. Post-gig wine or no, the fact is that the gig was excellent on a bass that has been the main axe for 18 years now, with an amp that has been the main amp for 15 years, and with a 10 year old set of strings. This focus on the music would not have been likely had I been tweaking and experimenting with gear. The old wife is a good wife, and the dancing is more enjoyable for the familiarity.

Back on topic, keep on rocking those wonderful Spirocores!



* please forgive Mr. Durant this politically incorrect phraseology; this book was written in the 1930s, and it's clear that he and Ariel did indeed love each other very much!

I never can understand infidelity on the part of the married man in the relationship. You obviously connected on some form or the other at one point in time with that person enough to get married. All women are basically the same physically, but it’s how you connect on that other level that makes the difference. If you had that connection previously, then you can get it back; why mess around with someone you don’t know? In other words, you’ve got a lady at home; why do you want to bother with some other lady that you don’t know and have to spend all this time figuring out that new person?

People give up too easily it seems. Rant over…and now back to your regularly schedule Spiro talk.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

I played two gigs yesterday and loved it but after the last one I wondered if the tension may have been a bit low. I felt myself digging in and applying more pressure than normal with my left hand to get the solid tone out and my hand was sore this morning when I woke up. Before a church gig this morning I cranked them up about two mm and it was much better. The old punch and tension returned and the tone is very good. String height and tension are such difficult things to judge on a bass and I’ve found that having both too low can actually make a bass harder to play because the bass becomes harder to speak. With that in mind, I don’t know that the differences between 3/4 weichs and 4/4 mitts are enough to spend the money on if one has a good set of either. They are very close. I believe the 3/4 weichs bow a bit better than the old 4/4 mittels so I think the jury has decided. I went ahead and bought a weich extension string. Although the mitt extension string works well, it is just a bit large and with ten years on it, it doesn’t speak the same way the A does. It will be. This will be the first set of new spirocores in several years so it will be an experience to see how they develop on this bass. No, the Oliv G will not go on this bass.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

I’ve been very happy with my 3/4 Spiro Weich E&A with Perpetual Stark D&G on my LaScala Hybrid, but I bit the bullet and ordered some new 4/4 Spiro Weichs to try again (first time on this bass though). I will report back!

 

[DaveAceofBass]

I’ve been very happy with my 3/4 Spiro Weich E&A with Perpetual Stark D&G on my LaScala Hybrid, but I bit the bullet and ordered some new 4/4 Spiro Weichs to try again (first time on this bass though). I will report back!

PS if I can’t stand the D&G I’ll order a new EP Slap synthetic D&G to try!

 

[GlenParks]

So, I've been seeing this thread popping up again and want to chime in.

After:
EP Weichs
EP Slaps
Eurosonic Black
Eurosonic White
Spiro Mittels

I've had a Spiro Mittel E 4/4, and Spiro Weich ADG 4/4 on for over a year. Couldn't be happier on a Shen SB88. Not going anywhere.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

So, I've been seeing this thread popping up again and want to chime in.

After:
EP Weichs
EP Slaps
Eurosonic Black
Eurosonic White
Spiro Mittels

I've had a Spiro Mittel E 4/4, and Spiro Weich ADG 4/4 on for over a year. Couldn't be happier on a Shen SB88. Not going anywhere.

Spirocores on an 88 can 80% satisfy 80% of working bassists on about 80% of their gigs. That combo is pretty amazing for short money.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

I put the 4/4 weich extension string on yesterday and played a trio gig last night. Etch it in stone, tattoo it somewhere. There will be no problem at all leaving these on until at least July 31st 2024 and probably for life. Sometimes things just align and this is it. The 3885s are definitely a bit darker than the 4/4 and they balance well on this bass. Love it.

 

[TroyK]

That's good news. I was up late practicing this week and had the realization that "this is perfect" tension, tone, everything.

 

[Don Kasper]

I'm actually beginning to feel sorry for all string manufacturers other than Thomastik/Spiro....

 

[Sam Dingle]

I'm actually beginning to feel sorry for all string manufacturers other than Thomastik/Spiro....

Just saw Pirastro and spiro strings are going up in price soon. Didn't realize how expensive they were. I'm stickin to my perpetuals on top and waiting till they break at this point.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

Just saw Pirastro and spiro strings are going up in price soon. Didn't realize how expensive they were. I'm stickin to my perpetuals on top and waiting till they break at this point.

Where did you see this, out of curiousity? Is the manufacturer raising their price, or is this just related to the continued weakening of the dollar?

 

[Sam Dingle]

Where did you see this, out of curiousity? Is the manufacturer raising their price, or is this just related to the continued weakening of the dollar?

got this from lemur and texted a friend who said they got one about Thomastik Strings

 

[DaveAceofBass]

UPDATE: I put the 4/4 Weichs on my LaScala Hybrid late last night, replacing my mixed set of 3/4 Weich E&A paired with the Perpetual Stark D&G. The new strings are terrific...I forgot how easy they are to play and how much clarity you get on all four strings. My previous mixed set was good, but this is better, at least for now. The only drawback might be arco, but I haven't used my bow since I put them on. The mixed set was darker and duller, this set is very clear and easy to play. Spirocore will forever be one of my favorites, and there is a good reason why so many of the top players have used them over the years.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

got this from lemur and texted a friend who said they got one about Thomastik Strings

String Emporium has the best prices in the US--they were running a July 4th sale on Pirastro and Thomastik. Thomann has the lowest prices anywhere, I assume because they are based in Europe.

 

[TroyK]

Someone just liked this post that I made at the beginning of 2021. It just goes to show that you've got to give both Spirocores and yourself a chance.

Having Spirocores back on my bass for the first time in about a decade is like bringing home a pet ocelot. Sharp and angry, super badass and exciting, but I'm sleeping with one eye open, just in case it tries to kill me.

 

[Jason Hollar]

I just did my third gig this summer with no amp. Granted, both rooms I played were restaurant wallpaper duo gigs with real piano (lids down).

I don’t think I could’ve done them with my old S42 Weichs - a dream to play - but didn’t rock the top like my current 3885 Weichs.

I’m kinda thinking I like playing certain gigs without an amp and might step up to a set of Mittels and start swapping and see how it feels.

The S42 Mittels would probably be the safer choice … or should I go big and try the 3885 Mittels?

edit: holy smokes new Spiros are almost $300!

 

[TroyK]

S42 Mittel. Watch the classifieds.

 

[TroyK]

...

edit: holy smokes new Spiros are almost $300!

Edit: another argument for Spirocores. Suddenly longevity is a much bigger financial factor.

There are some favorite Pirastro strings that I replaced between 8 (Permanent) and 15 (Jazzer) months. Original Flat Chromes and Flat Chromesteels were somewhere in between.

 

[GlenParks]

He has a point. Find one that has many of the traits you admire while also a solid core of steel. The wrapping will eventually tarnish and may unwind at points but if the core is solid you will be able to work around the snags. There will be a lot of zing in the beginning, it might even be fatiguing but eventually the zing and brightness will mellow into a warm fundamental foundation that you can build upon. There will be plenty of new strings, some of which will appear more attractive, even promise you will become a better more attractive player. But to follow their lead is folly for after the initial flush you will find that you are now less than you were, before you chased the new plastic core nonsense. Now broke, you will try to go back and put the old familiar back together only to find you’ve dented it and created new weak spots threatening to break. Because it was you all along.

You know, I didn't see this before posting the other day... But today... Oh Brother, Quantum Entanglement is really something.