DenverBass
Supporting Member
I thought it was so the silks don’t wear each other out in the pegbox?
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Double Bass 2024 Spirocore challenge
- Thread starter Jmilitsc
- Start date
I thought it was so the silks don’t wear each other out in the pegbox?
Troy and DoubleMIDI,
I just lowered the S42 mittels down to 6, 7, 8, and 9 mm and it is unsurprisingly much nicer to play. I was at 8, 9, 10, and 11 mm before!
I've come full circle from beginning with a fishman bp 100 and jazzers in 2003 to using spiros and a full circle now. I should have checked my string height when I installed the spiros coming from olivs and ep weichs. Back in business!
I just lowered the S42 mittels down to 6, 7, 8, and 9 mm and it is unsurprisingly much nicer to play. I was at 8, 9, 10, and 11 mm before!
I've come full circle from beginning with a fishman bp 100 and jazzers in 2003 to using spiros and a full circle now. I should have checked my string height when I installed the spiros coming from olivs and ep weichs. Back in business!
Prior to lowering the height I was working on cello suite 2 in d minor on the mittels and between that and some gigs the muscle in my left hand got quite the workout.
This is how it was explained to me by the luthier who setup my bass recently when I asked about the purpose of the tube. He called it “the rattler.”
I ended up taking it off because it wouldn’t stay in place.
Random question for the Spirocore hive mind. What the oldest set of Spiros you’ve ever put back on a bass?
My bass is wearing a set of S42 that I probably bought in 2008 and used until about 2012. I put them back on in December to replace a set of S43 solo that went on in 2019.
They sound fantastic. The E is tremendous.
After about 5 years of play they're pretty much done for me (though I usually eke it out another couple) - I've put older sets back on before and it revitalises them briefly but they go back to old sounding fast. I don't know if that's just my tastes, or how my particular bass responds. When they're past their 5 years or so, it's still a sound that can be used, just not the sound I'd choose Spiros for.
Earl
Supporting Member
1979, I have the E and A on right now.
My 3885 Weich are just over 2 years old. I have a set of S42 mittel of unknown vintage because I bought them used in the classifieds, but have not used them much, except for the G which has mostly been on since 2020.
From reading here for a couple of decades, not everyone feels that they really last forever. There is a 2-5 year crowd and an "even though the fuel gauge says empty, I think I can make it to where I'm going" crowd.
I'm not sure yet, but I think I'm probably with the 2-5 year folk.
I love Pirastro strings, but 8-15 months tops for every one I've ever used.
From reading here for a couple of decades, not everyone feels that they really last forever. There is a 2-5 year crowd and an "even though the fuel gauge says empty, I think I can make it to where I'm going" crowd.
I'm not sure yet, but I think I'm probably with the 2-5 year folk.
I love Pirastro strings, but 8-15 months tops for every one I've ever used.
I love the way the Evahs sound acoustically on my bass, I really do. But in a performance context, they’re very hit or miss. And I still feel like the A string just isn’t speaking as fast as I’d like (this is after experimenting with the string height and sound post placement).
I’m trying to decide if I should put my relatively new set of 3/4 Weichs (they were on my bass most of January & February) or my approximately 3 year old set of S42 Mitts that were on my bass a total of about 2 and a half years. Or if there’s a 3rd option I haven’t considered that isn’t super expensive.
I’m trying to decide if I should put my relatively new set of 3/4 Weichs (they were on my bass most of January & February) or my approximately 3 year old set of S42 Mitts that were on my bass a total of about 2 and a half years. Or if there’s a 3rd option I haven’t considered that isn’t super expensive.
2.5yo S42 seem pretty optimal, and they have a great A string right? Seems like the way to go if your bass likes them.
Kind of? The Spiro S42 A did choke up a little on my bass, but not in a bad way, like the Evahs if that makes sense. Not like it was detrimental to the acoustic or amplified sound. I had the sound post adjusted in an attempt to open up the Evah A string, and it did help a little. Maybe it would help the Spiro A as well?
The 2.5~3 year old Spirocores are back on my bass. First time since October.
Never had any issues with Weichs 3885.0W D string noises, but if your fingerboard is off, then yeah, you will have issues. I had a set of Weichs that were over 26 years old, they had been on a plywood Hofner Bass back in 1995, for about 6 months, and I removed them when I sold the bass (put on a set of TI Super Flexibles). They went on my Johan Rauner (Wilfer) in 2021 and sounded great for about 6 months, but then died.
The Helicores I had were great, but died after 6 months.
Right now, my new set of Weichs which went on in the fall of 2023, are not as bright and the overtones are beginning to fade a little, and less snarl than when new. I play about 2-3 hours a day, every day. If I really push them, they still have good sound but I plan to replace them this fall. I had to raise the action by about 1mm per string so they don't buzz when I play them harder to get the volume I need, now that they have begun to drop off in volume and tone.
As far as arco goes, well number one is get the freshest Pops you can find, and then they start and sound great, no squeaks. Also, next re-hair will be dark instead of white hair. I have no issues when bowing as far as balance or tone of the strings, but would like more, like when they were new.
I have noticed this winter, with the pineapple expresses running non-stop, here in California, that the bass sounds better with the onset of each storm, and is less full in sound when they pass and it dries out.
I cannot for the life of me figure out why anyone would keep a set of strings for years on a bass, unless they don't play it very much, and even then, they die just from tension. The tone and volume of new strings is so outstanding that why would anyone want to hear thunk thunk, instead of the singing overtones new strings provide. Maybe it's just my ear, but it makes a huge difference in my playing and the other guys notice whenever I get a new set, they tell me how much better it sounds.
The Helicores I had were great, but died after 6 months.
Right now, my new set of Weichs which went on in the fall of 2023, are not as bright and the overtones are beginning to fade a little, and less snarl than when new. I play about 2-3 hours a day, every day. If I really push them, they still have good sound but I plan to replace them this fall. I had to raise the action by about 1mm per string so they don't buzz when I play them harder to get the volume I need, now that they have begun to drop off in volume and tone.
As far as arco goes, well number one is get the freshest Pops you can find, and then they start and sound great, no squeaks. Also, next re-hair will be dark instead of white hair. I have no issues when bowing as far as balance or tone of the strings, but would like more, like when they were new.
I have noticed this winter, with the pineapple expresses running non-stop, here in California, that the bass sounds better with the onset of each storm, and is less full in sound when they pass and it dries out.
I cannot for the life of me figure out why anyone would keep a set of strings for years on a bass, unless they don't play it very much, and even then, they die just from tension. The tone and volume of new strings is so outstanding that why would anyone want to hear thunk thunk, instead of the singing overtones new strings provide. Maybe it's just my ear, but it makes a huge difference in my playing and the other guys notice whenever I get a new set, they tell me how much better it sounds.
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I will never join your stupid gang!
...however, I just replaced a full set of Perpetuals (stark D&G) with a used set of S43 solos. They are definitely easier on the hands and my bass really, really likes the more gut equivalent tension. I'm surprised the tiny diameters aren't bugging me like they have in the past.
...however, I just replaced a full set of Perpetuals (stark D&G) with a used set of S43 solos. They are definitely easier on the hands and my bass really, really likes the more gut equivalent tension. I'm surprised the tiny diameters aren't bugging me like they have in the past.
The Spiros I just put back on are probably lower than I've ever had them before, most likely as a result of finicking with the height of the Evahs.
If I can adjust my technique and/or get used to them to get the sound I want, I hope to avoid raising them. They're super easy to play and it doesn't appear to be much of a detriment to acoustic volume.
If I can adjust my technique and/or get used to them to get the sound I want, I hope to avoid raising them. They're super easy to play and it doesn't appear to be much of a detriment to acoustic volume.
Okay, I am a little late to the party but I have joined the spiros for life club. I just put a set of 3/4 Mittels on my instrument and am blown away by how much fun they are to play. They sound spectacular with the bow. It is nice to really lean into the string. So many colors are available.
I am not one for "growl" but with higher action and Spiro's you get so much fundamental and zero clack or mwah.
I am not one for "growl" but with higher action and Spiro's you get so much fundamental and zero clack or mwah.
yeah, string height plays a difference. I had perpetuals on my bass when I first got it. I saw others mention them having lots of growl, mine at 9mm on the g to 11mm on the e were pretty powerful and percussive, not an abundance of growl.
