Double Bass Another string question

[phillips362490]

I'm sure this question has been discussed before but I do not see listed recently. I am a bluegrass player, pizz only. I am using velvet garbos now. I like the sound and feel of them but feel uneasy about them breaking like I've heard from a couple of buddies of mine and read here on TB. I tried them on my ES-1 a while back when my band was doing a bit more gigging but replace them with my steels and a golden Spiral G & D so I could quit worry about finding a broken string when heading to a gig. I have been using a mixed set for years due to the G string being so small that it wears my fingers out and being easier to play as well as producing a punchier sound. I later replaced the Golden D with a steel D due to a little more sustain.

I am enjoying the feel of the Garbos so much that I would like to know what other strings have the same diameter and feel of a bigger string like the Garbos other than Super-Nils or real gut. The super-nils are too flabby and don't sound good on my bass and the guts are too expensive. From what I am reading on TB and the other talk forum, I would like to know about the size of the strings in the Eurosonics, Super Silvers and Obligotos or any other good quality strings in relations to the Garbos.

Jim Memphis, Tn

 

[akmusicfreak]

someone else was kind enough to post this link so I'll pass it along.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

This chart has the string diameters of a lot of different makes it list Obligatos as well so you can use that as your reference point when looking at the other brands as well as string tension comparisons.

I play some Bluegrass and go to the jams sometimes.
I have a czech hybrid strung with Spirocore Mittles, my string height is a little high for acoustic only setting, around 11mm to 9mm. I find the Spyros not to be flabby or to hard to pull, a little bright at first, but that goes away a little after time. I also find the Spiros to be pretty loud strings, they carry well.

These strings can be a little rough on the right hand if you like to slap a lot, being that they are all steel strings, but I find the other benefits to be worth it.

Sorry about the long rant about Spyros I know it's been said before, but every time I pick up my DB to play I'm happy about my string choice, and the sound I get with them.

Just as a warning if your using a pick up with Spyros for Bluegrass you need to roll the mids and highs down on the EQ a little.

 

[phillips362490]

Thanks for the string chart. I have not seen it before. It has a lot of the info I have been looking for.

I have used the Spiros off and on for years also. The only thing I do not like about them is the G string. They are the one string you can count on. They do produce a good solid tone and volume. I have also used the Helicore Pizzs. If these lower tension strings do not work out for me, I'll go back to the Spiros with a gut type large diameter G string.

I would like to know what kind of results others have had with the Euros for example. Thanks,

Jim Memphis, TN

 

[bluegrasscat]

the INNO Super Silvers are nice!! i am using the SS slaps.. i was using guts. but have found that these are so similar, and a joy to play!! not a BOW string at all! and no constant tuning issues..

I had obligatos, but they just werent the sound i was looking for!! ( and i had to find strings that blended better( G and D) and i have never tried EURO's either.. good luck on the quest!!

 

[masoncountybass]

I agree with bluesgrasscat............I just bought my wife a new EC1B Englehardt. We had Jerry Fretwell put Inno Super Silver Slaps on it. Man what a CANNON.

We were gonna use Inno Super Silver but opted for the Super Silver Slaps because they are eaiser on the fingers. they still have great boom and sustain but the lower tension (not flappy) helps with her dish pan hands.

She used Clef Guts on old CCB but they are not bluegrasser friendly, always needed tuning. We play festivals and indoor shows and even going from the van to the indoor shows was a killer........ and forget sunny/hot festivals.

words of wisdom from "Hangin' Rock Juction" bluegrass band.

 

[M Ramsey]

FWIW, I've been playing Garbos on my American Standard for years. Yeah, there has been some breakage. I've also broken Spirocores, Helicore Orchestral Heavies, gut strings, you name it, it'll break if all the conditions are right.

I've seen the stories here of Garbos breaking and I've actually had 3 to break in about 5-6 years worth of using them on a regular basis, on two different basses. (basis, basses ? )

I don't really see the Garbos as being any less reliable than any other string. Oh, yeah. I pull my strings really hard, too.

 

[phillips362490]

Thanks for relating your experience with the Garbos. I'm still a little hesitant about finding one broken while in the case not being used like I've heard. I will keep mine on until something happens or they need replacing due to loss of tone.

Thanks too for the other comments made about the success of the Innovations Silvers. It seems that a lot of folks have been pleased with their sound for bluegrass and ease of playing. I'm considering trying a set of them or their G and D with a Helicore E and A combo, due to me having them already. I'm still curious about others experience with the Euros.

Jim Memphis, TN

 

[superman]

I don't think you would like to pair S/Silvers with helicores,,the tension would be a lot different,and the sound is completly different,,,I like the S/Silver A&E, matched with a gut G&D,but I still think that garbos are closer to guts than S/Silver,,but it still depends on the bass,If you do like the tension of the garbos the s/silvers will be close,but the slap silvers will prob. seem floppy,,they have tension about like supernyls,which I have never cared for.I do wish that Garbos had some other design in place of the string which goes through the peg,of the Garbos that have broken on me most have really not broken in two but the wound part of the string just came loose from the peg string.I have used garbos A&E for a long time when I was on the road and found them to be very good,they held up great.

 

[phillips362490]

Thanks Superman for the advise about the Helicores and SS. Did you mean the sound would be different overall from the Garbos or different between the Helicores and SS? Meaning an unbalanced sound for the four together?

Is the G string on the SS as small in diameter as the G on the Helicores? The small diameter of the G string on metal strings is the problem I have with a full set of Helicores or Spiros. I have trouble getting the full sound out of it which causes me to depress it harder thereby causing soreness and a blister on the left hand. I have been using a mix set for years due to that problem. I like a big G string. I also agree with you about the Supernils.

How does the Super Silvers compare in sound and string diameter to the Garbos? What is it about the mix of the SS and Gut that you like, compared to a full set of SS? Is it the sound or the feel of the strings?

Like everyone knows and a lot have stated, I've stepped in the middle of string hell and have not found a way out yet.

Jim Memphis, TN