Double Bass Back up set for Gut.

[bigshiny]

Recently had my van broken into and the thieves took my bag that had all my extra/back up stuff in it. I'm sure they tossed it when they looked in it. I use Lenzer Gut wound E and A with plain D and G. My question is this. How often do you hear of a wound E or A break? I know that the D and G will much sooner because of the smaller diameter. Didn't know if I could get away with just purchasing the D and G for awhile and keep an eye on the E and A. I play 40's and 50's. So slap/pizz is about 50/50. Any info will be appreciated. Also, if anyone knows of a alternative to gut that will sound good for both styles with the similar tension, that would be helpful too. Thanks guys.

 

[Bobby King]

Actually, I've never broken a plain gut string, but I've had wound ones break, usually above the nut.

 

[bigshiny]

I've had plain gut wear out and break after a period of time. I think the only time I have had a wound break on me was above the nut also. That was about 10yrs ago. I was informed that usually the nut slot is to narrow for the string to move through it. Most likely when switching from steel to gut strings players don't take into the consideration of the larger diameter of the gut string. And also the fact that they sometimes have a round wire wrap. There's no way you can tune without breaking the string if you don't file it open a bit to let it travel.

 

[Jeff Kissell]

Pay attention to the classifieds here on TB, my back up set was purchased used over the last year.
-J

 

[bigshiny]

Thanks!

 

[BeowulfKingsley]

The Cordes Lambert set makes a good temporary backup for guts...at $75 a set for their Deluxe, it can't hurt to have around! I was pretty skeptical about them but for a synthetic (and one based on trimmer line at that!) but they're pretty convincing. I actually have the D and G on one of my basses I use for slap and pizz right now...I couldn't use gut on the lower strings, at least for what I do on that bass, and the Lamberts are the same on the E and A (for me) but you might want to try those out.