Double Bass 2024 Spirocore challenge

[TroyK]

It didn't take quite as long for me to start feeling good about mine, but there is definitely a mellowing period and arco definitely helps.

There's also the "at home" sound vs the "on the gig" sound. At home, I would prefer something darker and more organic, like Flexocores, but with a band, on a gig, that zinginess cuts through and everything sounds warmer and rounder.

 

[Scott Lynch]

I'm out. Installed a set of EPs, quickly realized my mistake and had the 3/4 weichs back on before the EPs were even fully settled.

Oh well. That was a pretty good run for me. Maybe I'll do it again.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

I’m a bit torn. I love the way the Evahs sound acoustically but I’m finding they’re a bit hit or miss on gigs. I have a 3 year old set of Spiro Mitts that were on my bass about 2 and a half years in my string drawer.

 

[Ryan in PDX]

Spiro Mitts

This is the way.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

Going to try a sound post adjustment first. It’s choking up on the A string so the sound post might help open it up a little.

 

[jmpiwonka]

I went from perpetual (A was a little wolfy) to Oliv with Spiro mittel A and E. The A was really choked up.
Luthier was out on tour for a few months so I never got the post loosened. Tried a heavier tailpiece then put some Helix strings on.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

I don’t wish to derail this thread further, but I did get the sound post adjusted today and it seems to have helped, at least acoustically. I have a few amplified gigs this week so I guess that will be the real test.

 

[TroyK]

Set up is huge. Little things can make a big difference. Even changes in the weather.

 

[Inky13]

They were old when I bought the bass in 2007. Probably good for another seventeen years!

 

[Roxbororob]

OK consider me won over!
Who uses the nylon tube on the D string (supposed to dampen upper harmonics when sitting on the bridge)?
@james condino @Chris Fitzgerald @TroyK ?

 

[TroyK]

I don't. Have never tried it.

 

[Roxbororob]

I left it down yonder...

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I play Dominants over a Spiro Stark E, and I don't think the Dominants have that feature.

 

[Roxbororob]

Thanks guys (for responding so fast)!

So for the record, today is day one for me (new set).

 

[DoubleMIDI]

For me I use it on my 5-string DB with a high C to reduce friction on the A peg (D is topmost peg).

 

[atlbassist1987]

I'm a few months in with the mittels. Did any of you mittel guys and gals lower your action after installing them? I love the way they sound especially after losing the initial zing. I wasn't patient enough with them last year and reinstalled EP weichs after a month or so. I should have been more patient! My string height is 8mm on the g and the added tension of the mittels is noticeable. These strings have lots of authority and they speak evenly all over the fingerboard. I never thought I would use steel but I ditched olivs after tuning issues during a performance of Into the Woods and landed on ep weichs which sound nice but lose their tone quickly.

 

[TroyK]

I'm using 3885 Weichs E-D and S42 Mittle G. I tried all mittels and would have had to really lower the strings and even then, my bass was reacting to the added tension in a way that I didn't like.

But, that's an issue with my bass.

 

[atlbassist1987]

Troy, how high do you keep your strings? I'm thinking of going down to 5mm on the g for the mittels.

Mike

 

[TroyK]

My G seems to be about 7mm at the end of the finger board and the E is closer to 8 or 9.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

I would go down to 5 to 6 mm for the S42 G, maybe 6 if you have a scale around 105 cm.
But for the E I would never go below 9 mm and prefer 10 to 11 mm.

I had my S42 on a 110 cm scale and going into thumb position with 8 mm on the G was no fun (more or less impossible for me).
But the tension on 110 cm is significantly larger than on 105 cm.