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Double Bass Are Spiros overrated for bowing?
- Thread starter philopadaumus
- Start date
First, respectfully, I don't think that Spiros are "overrated" for arco at all, if anything, they are much maligned! 
This is an interesting question that is sure to elicit many polarizing opinions. Please remember that some basses don't take to certain strings for a variety of reasons, ex: dark strings on a dark bass=too muddy a sound, etc.
It is important to also be mindful of the fact that people have a sound in their head of what they want their bass to produce, and expectations of what they want their bass to feel like (speaking to action and response). Some strings just "won't do that", what ever "that" may be. I also feel that this topic completely subjective, everyone is entitled to their own opinion- and they should be respectful of the opinions of others in turn.
That said, I am of the opinion that Spirocore strings are GREAT arco strings- again, for ME on MY bass.
Why?
Spiros have a great, highly controllable sound. They are bright, with lots of harmonic content, but they are also capable of a dark, warm tone. They have a very wide dynamic range, and they speak well in all registers of my bass, from the C at the bottom of my extension, to the highest notes I can hit in thumb position, to harmonic partials, be they from open or stopped strings. I have yet to sit an a section in which they would not blend beautifully with the other basses.
I concede that they can't "do it all"- they'll never sound as dark and lush as Flexocor 92's or Passiones; but they are amazingly versatile. I can get everything from a warm, delicate sound to a bright, brash sound that will cut through almost anything, and everything in between!
The only strings that I feel have a wider arco sound palate are gut, but that is a story for another thread- and yes, I realize saying that will undermine my credibility with some!
Spiros start quickly and easily, on or off the string- regardless of the bow position or stroke, and regardless of the speed or pressure I am employing. They have a wide dynamic range, and can easily execute anything from whisper quiet pianissimo to thunderous fortissimo.
They also last a long time- some would say their sound gets better as they age!
Sure, there are strings out there that are easier to bow, but if one is willing to put forth the effort to learn how to control the arco voice of Spirocore strings, they will be greatly rewarded.
MHO, YMMV...
Regards,
Joe
This is an interesting question that is sure to elicit many polarizing opinions. Please remember that some basses don't take to certain strings for a variety of reasons, ex: dark strings on a dark bass=too muddy a sound, etc.
It is important to also be mindful of the fact that people have a sound in their head of what they want their bass to produce, and expectations of what they want their bass to feel like (speaking to action and response). Some strings just "won't do that", what ever "that" may be. I also feel that this topic completely subjective, everyone is entitled to their own opinion- and they should be respectful of the opinions of others in turn.
That said, I am of the opinion that Spirocore strings are GREAT arco strings- again, for ME on MY bass.
Why?
Spiros have a great, highly controllable sound. They are bright, with lots of harmonic content, but they are also capable of a dark, warm tone. They have a very wide dynamic range, and they speak well in all registers of my bass, from the C at the bottom of my extension, to the highest notes I can hit in thumb position, to harmonic partials, be they from open or stopped strings. I have yet to sit an a section in which they would not blend beautifully with the other basses.
I concede that they can't "do it all"- they'll never sound as dark and lush as Flexocor 92's or Passiones; but they are amazingly versatile. I can get everything from a warm, delicate sound to a bright, brash sound that will cut through almost anything, and everything in between!
The only strings that I feel have a wider arco sound palate are gut, but that is a story for another thread- and yes, I realize saying that will undermine my credibility with some!
Spiros start quickly and easily, on or off the string- regardless of the bow position or stroke, and regardless of the speed or pressure I am employing. They have a wide dynamic range, and can easily execute anything from whisper quiet pianissimo to thunderous fortissimo.
They also last a long time- some would say their sound gets better as they age!
Sure, there are strings out there that are easier to bow, but if one is willing to put forth the effort to learn how to control the arco voice of Spirocore strings, they will be greatly rewarded.
MHO, YMMV...
Regards,
Joe
Last edited:
I love sprios for arco, as DC Bass said they sound great from a low C to the notes above the fingerboard. I have used them on three basses and they have sounded great on all of them. One of my basses they feel a lot looser and sound a little darker and I'm not sure why but they do. (both basses have same string length and they are both sprio mittles) I have tried obligatos and Evah D and Gs but always went back to full sprios. Now I do have to say they take a while to calm down. IF you were to get a brand new set allow at least a few weeks of playing a few hours a day for them to really break in and loose their harshness, but once they break in they are great.
As anyone will say you won't know until you try them for yourself. Like my experience with Evah and Obligato D&Gs a few people told me I would love it and a few told me just to stick with all spiros so its different for everyone.
As anyone will say you won't know until you try them for yourself. Like my experience with Evah and Obligato D&Gs a few people told me I would love it and a few told me just to stick with all spiros so its different for everyone.
I've tried pretty much every string available on the market today, and Spiros remain my favorite does-it-all set.
NOTHING has as much crunchy power as a strong downbow on a low note.
NOTHING has as much crunchy power as a strong downbow on a low note.
I hear folks swear by these strings. I actually have them on my bass, and they're all I know. That's why I'm asking. Also I'm very new to the bass. Here's the problem (and this could be operator problem) They tend to have a scratchy sound and less attack when bowing at a faster speed, Especially the "E" string. I've been working so hard to correct this I've tried many things. I've read one forum where folks also had an issue with scratchiness, and one solution that seems to make sense to me is that most arco players use a coarser hair. I haven't yet tried that. But I'd rather go that route than purchase a whole new set of strings. I don't know if I have broken them in yet, I only had them for less than a year and practice at least three hours per day. Here's what I'm trying to accomplish, an Immediate attack when I bow. It's fine at a slow speed, but when playing at faster speeds I don't want my bass sounding like an airy tuba. I'm just trying to figure this out
There are a few who've studied with Michael Moore who might be able to correct me if I'm wrong but didn't he used to use Spiros? Not too many get a more beautiful arco sound than MM.
Sounds like you might wanna experiment with different rosin.....
Sounds like you might wanna experiment with different rosin.....
Black bow hair, a rather soft rosin and giving the string a very short bow pressure impulse on the beginning of the string vibration (only if needed) help a lot to get get the string start precisely. Also a bit of rosin on the bowed area on the string can help. Try out what works best for you.
Don't run out for black bow hair immediately, it is just a bit better and it works with white hair too. But you might want to try a bow with good white quality hair to know if your bow hair might be bad and you might need a rehair.
Don't run out for black bow hair immediately, it is just a bit better and it works with white hair too. But you might want to try a bow with good white quality hair to know if your bow hair might be bad and you might need a rehair.
I agree, try different rosin first. Carlsson, Kolsteins (soft, medium, or all weather, I use all weather). I personally don't like black hair for spiros, its too much noise for me. It is easier to start a note with black hair but I feel like you always hear that hair on the strings even when you are pulling a good fundamental tone. For me white hair and kolsteins all weather works great. As others have suggested it maybe possible that you need a rehair. But again what works well for me may not work well for you, but I would try different rosin and maybe a bow that you know has good white hair on it, maybe if your teacher has one or something, just to see if there is a difference.
My bass wears Spiro mitts but I must say that a strong downbow on a low note of EP weichs pretty much buries Spiros in terms of raw power. That is, at least on my bass and many others I've experienced. Of course, it's not all about power. I also don't play much arco these days.
I now have 2 basses, both of which have worn the same set of Spiros. One bass is generally difficult to bow, regardless of the strings on it. The other bass is relatively easy to bow and sounds wonderful with the Spiros.
I've learned that the strings and bow (I have 2 bows now, too) are still only part of the equation. The particular instrument is also part of that same equation, in my limited experience.
I've learned that the strings and bow (I have 2 bows now, too) are still only part of the equation. The particular instrument is also part of that same equation, in my limited experience.
I definitely agree with you. I put a set of spiros on my other bass (a much cheaper bass) and they sound great!! My more expensive bass seem to have the scratchy sound. But since my last post I've changed the rosin, and the problem is solved. It makes a world of difference now.
Same tune, with Terry Plumeri, "studio" and "live" versions.
Spirocore Weich strings, Pops rosin, Seigfried Finkel bow:
Spirocore Weich strings, Pops rosin, Seigfried Finkel bow:
Off-topic, I have to say I'm not the biggest fan of Mr Plumeri's "feather-touch" pizz style way up the board (almost at the neck joint)... But his arco play is just another example of spiros being great for bowing. Back when I still played them, I liked them a lot under the bow. Especially Starks.
Best
Sidecar
