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Double Bass Azola Bass String Help!!
- Thread starter Ren909
- Start date
I don’t know.. Possibly Spirocores, but sure, neither was the previous owner.
The strings are in good shape. But I’d like to find some that are more flexible and organic sounding acoustically and work well with the piezo built into the bridge, and work well with pizzicato and arco playing. The scale length is 39” 1/2
The strings are in good shape. But I’d like to find some that are more flexible and organic sounding acoustically and work well with the piezo built into the bridge, and work well with pizzicato and arco playing. The scale length is 39” 1/2
The LaBella set you're showing on the other thread should fit, unless they make them longer today than they used to.
It's normal to have a bit more slack than with a DB, but that shouldn't be a no-no.
39.5" falls more in the 5/8 size area but it's close enough to 3/4.
Don't put half-size strings ou your Azola, despite being tempted as they would fit more easily.
The scale of you bass would over-stretch them, and they would feel very tight, not what you'rre looking for.
I had an Azola BugBass a long time ago and was using regular DB strings.
The E is the sole string that may look more difficult to fit, but it's not an impossible task.
All strings can be cut to reduce overlenght, as long as you stay in the silked area.
Not all the silked part needs to be wrapped on the tuners.
Can you show a picture of the E at the tuner so we can see the over-lenght please?
It's normal to have a bit more slack than with a DB, but that shouldn't be a no-no.
39.5" falls more in the 5/8 size area but it's close enough to 3/4.
Don't put half-size strings ou your Azola, despite being tempted as they would fit more easily.
The scale of you bass would over-stretch them, and they would feel very tight, not what you'rre looking for.
I had an Azola BugBass a long time ago and was using regular DB strings.
The E is the sole string that may look more difficult to fit, but it's not an impossible task.
All strings can be cut to reduce overlenght, as long as you stay in the silked area.
Not all the silked part needs to be wrapped on the tuners.
Can you show a picture of the E at the tuner so we can see the over-lenght please?
Sure.. Interesting you say not to put a 1/2 size scale set on there, as that scale is just short of the Azola’s 39”1/2 inch scale.. but I can understand that once you start tuning it could really ramp up the tension ( not good!) My worry on putting a 3/4” scale is that the E string is 4” over length where it meets the nylon wrap. I could cut the nylon back some, but the metal part of the string would have to be wrapped around the tuner post.. What is the main downside by doing that? Here’s a pic of the E and A string..which is 2” over the nut. I left the original D & G on which has a red nylon lead at the tailpiece and a purple one at the tuner.. Previous owner didn’t know what brand or length. Thanks!
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Half-size strings are designed for 38cm scale (at least Spirocores), so on a 39.5" scale, they'll be pulled at a higher tension than intended.
I see the LaBella are quite long indeed.
The D&G in your pic seems to be Spirocore Weich gauge.
If they are 1/2 scale, then they were a special order from Azola to T-I as they're not in their catalog.
Can you please post a pic of the tailpiece with the strings mounted?
Something that could be interesting is Spirocore solos in 1/2 size. (set 3871,0)
gollihurmusic.com
Solo gauge is a whole tone higher, but when tuned at orchestra pitch there is much less tension.
With the 39.5" scale, I think the result could be great *if* they fit on the instrument.
I'd get in touch with @Mark Gollihur who could measure the strings and verify with you if they fit.
Hope this helps!
I see the LaBella are quite long indeed.
The D&G in your pic seems to be Spirocore Weich gauge.
If they are 1/2 scale, then they were a special order from Azola to T-I as they're not in their catalog.
Can you please post a pic of the tailpiece with the strings mounted?
Something that could be interesting is Spirocore solos in 1/2 size. (set 3871,0)
Spirocore SOLO Tuning Upright Bass Strings
The ubiquitous Spirocores; among the first high-quality steel strings made, they're an old favorite for jazz and other pizz styles, and have the (deserved) reputation for exceedingly long life. Big, booming pizz tone, and full-bodied arco (though there are easier strings to bow), set these as a...
gollihurmusic.com
With the 39.5" scale, I think the result could be great *if* they fit on the instrument.
I'd get in touch with @Mark Gollihur who could measure the strings and verify with you if they fit.
Hope this helps!
Yes, Very helpful Francois! Thank you!
I’ll contact Mark, It does seem like it could have been a special order as 1/2 is too short adding that unwanted string tension and the 3/4 is too long.. What does happen if one cuts the silks shorter to have less mass on the tuners and then wraps the actual string around the post? I’m guessing damaging to the integrity of the string?
Nice call on the strings that are on there! They’re nice but feel somewhat stiff to me. I’m looking for something a little nicer feeling with nice volume and some “ bloom” if that makes sense. I know it’s not a normal upright so I can’t expect that volume or bottom end acoustically but once I plug it in that of course changes.. here’s a few shots
I’ll contact Mark, It does seem like it could have been a special order as 1/2 is too short adding that unwanted string tension and the 3/4 is too long.. What does happen if one cuts the silks shorter to have less mass on the tuners and then wraps the actual string around the post? I’m guessing damaging to the integrity of the string?
Nice call on the strings that are on there! They’re nice but feel somewhat stiff to me. I’m looking for something a little nicer feeling with nice volume and some “ bloom” if that makes sense. I know it’s not a normal upright so I can’t expect that volume or bottom end acoustically but once I plug it in that of course changes.. here’s a few shots
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Steel core strings can be cut at the silk part, but you should put a drop of glue on the silks to avoid unraveling of the silks.
But if you ever want to sell the strings later it would be problematic to find a buyer.
You can simply let the ends stick out of the peg to avoid that.
If the peg has the same diameter as a DB peg, winding by the metal wound part of a steel core string on the peg should work. Not nice, but sometimes hard to avoid.
But if you ever want to sell the strings later it would be problematic to find a buyer.
You can simply let the ends stick out of the peg to avoid that.
If the peg has the same diameter as a DB peg, winding by the metal wound part of a steel core string on the peg should work. Not nice, but sometimes hard to avoid.
Maybe these would work:
gollihurmusic.com
I guess they're made shorter, but still for a 3/4 size scale.
Once again, @Mark Gollihur could tell you if they'd work.
String Sets for the Eminence Electric Upright Bass
A longtime favorite of players in a variety of styles, D'Addario's Helicore Hybrid strings are for players who perform both arco and pizzicato. "Just right" damping provides good pizzicato sustain and attack, with quick, accurate bow response, too. A universal choice for a broad range of styles...
gollihurmusic.com
Once again, @Mark Gollihur could tell you if they'd work.
I'm showing my own EUB's string fitting.
It has a regular 3/4 scale lenght but the afterlenght at the tailpiece is much shorter than your Azola.
As you can see in the picture, there's a lof of slack, but it works.
I'm leaving about three inches of silked string before cutting.
It has a regular 3/4 scale lenght but the afterlenght at the tailpiece is much shorter than your Azola.
As you can see in the picture, there's a lof of slack, but it works.
I'm leaving about three inches of silked string before cutting.
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These may not fit on a regular DB though.
Being new, it's normal they can sound tinny and bright, furthermore being Spirocores.
You have very good strings already, let them settle in a few weeks first and see how it goes.
Being new, it's normal they can sound tinny and bright, furthermore being Spirocores.
You have very good strings already, let them settle in a few weeks first and see how it goes.
Very cool Carrather's love John's work thru the years as I used to have a Jazz fretless of his. I just finished speaking with Mark like you a very helpful and informative guy. He needs the measurements from my bridge to the ball ends on the tailpiece to move forward. He did have some very interesting suggestions. I'll keep you updated! Thanks again everyone!
The Strings ( Spirocores) have been on the Azola 3-4 years and are still in very nice shape, j We’ll see what David says
You may want to try Spirocore Solo 4/4 size which I *sometimes use on my BSX Allegro EUB. They'll have less tension and sound great under the bow and fingers. If any of the strings are too long, there are the tricks as others have mentioned about leaving some string off of the tuning key and/or looping the string in the tailpiece.
*I have Perpetual solos on now, but about to go back to Spirocore Solos.
*I have Perpetual solos on now, but about to go back to Spirocore Solos.
