Double Bass A little advice

[Dr Stankface]

Hi guys. I'm mainly an electric bass player but have had an upright for a while. Haven't picked it up in a while and I just remembered why. I have an Engelhardt EC1 and the stock strings sound like crap and the bridge has the strings set obnoxiously high (even for an upright). I want to get back more into playing it in a jazz setting. Can anyone recommend a good bridge and low tension strings to get my spirits back up on my playing my upright? Many thanks to everyone.

 

[reedo35]

Yeah, the stock strings are usually The infamous red Label strings, the cheapest and worst strings available. If you are playing mostly Pizz,and like low tension, you might like Velvet Animas ($$$)
For something a little less expensive, There are Obligatos, Dominants,Maybe even Flexicores or Helicores, depends on what you want. As far as the bridge goes, unless it is really messed up, instead of replacing it, take to a luthier, have some adjusters put on it, and have it reshaped. The price for the setup work will be less than the cost of a new bridge ( and then maybe you can afford some Animas! )

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Spirocore in weich gauge are the standard low tension jazz string.
You will need to take the bass to a luthier to have a bridge fitted and the fingerboard may also need to be dressed to allow buzz free playing.
Your current bridge may be carved down, although an adjustable bridge is nice.

 

[Dr Stankface]

I believe i'll pick up an adjustable bridge and some Animas.

One problem, I have nobody around here to set it up for me. Gotta look around.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Where can I get some Animas?

Haven't checked Lemur Music yet but i'll do that ASAP.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

You'll end up with Spirocores sooner or later .

 

[bassist1962]

I love plugging this site:

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Good Dr., Check this site out for a luthier.

 

[Silversorcerer]

Rather than an adjustable bridge, which will undoubtedly need fitting at the feet and the arch, why don't you take it to a luthier for a decent set-up of the bridge it has? Having adjusters is great, but they can be installed in almost any bridge and most likely your current one as well. Pay attention to the nut height as well. After that is the scoop of the fingerboard. Good bridge blanks are made by many companies and it is more important that these be set up with properly fitted feet than that the manufacturer is this or that.