Double Bass Bass String Riddle

[TroyK]

I can't believe that no one has suggested Spirocore Solo. I think what you're trying to do is tough to get right, actually and your best bet is to try a bunch of stuff, unfortunately.

I'm not saying Spirocore Solo is the right answer, but I'll send you an old one if you want to try it. You can send it back afterward.

 

[Sam Dingle]

i think he raved about spirocore solos once. What made you stop Samuel?

 

[SamuelHarris]

Spiro solos were fantastic!!!...in the practice room. On the band stand they were just too wimpy/soft feeling and sounded like that too. Sort of what the 4/4 Weichs are doing just not as much. I think really the key actually would be "dead spiro 4/4 G". Really breaking in the strings would help a lot I bet.

Actually TroyK I've decided to try your Jazzers w/Original Flat Chrome G combo. Recently tried a very used set of Jazzers and liked them alot but had a similar "the G is too twangy" experience. The strings should arrive tomorrow and I'm excited to try them out! I feel the jazzers rode the fine line between Mittels=too stiff and Weichs=too soft. 3/4 Weichs might do the trick as well and I'll probably try that at some point too. Just snagged a 3/4 Weich E (which will also arrive tomorrow) and will throw that on to see how it compares to the 4/4 Weich E before throwing on the Jazzers/OFC combo.

 

[TroyK]

...
Actually TroyK I've decided to try your Jazzers w/Original Flat Chrome G combo. Recently tried a very used set of Jazzers and liked them alot but had a similar "the G is too twangy" experience. The strings should arrive tomorrow and I'm excited to try them out! I feel the jazzers rode the fine line between Mittels=too stiff and Weichs=too soft. ...the Jazzers/OFC combo.

Yes! See I didn't throw that answer out because it was not the question you asked and I hate when people just shout out their favorite strings regardless of what the question was, but I think this is a great solution as you described. It's really my go-to setup, though I'm actually back to an old set of Spirocore Weichs at the moment, oddly enough. I've never known if the SWeichs I use are the 3/4 or 4/4 set, I'm going to see Jake this month and get that sorted.

Please report back!

 

[iiipopes]

If you work through the math, when adjusted for both pitch and scale length, the SF Solo A-downtuned-to-G has within a pound of rated tension as the Spiro 4/4 Weich G string. And the overall tonality of SF's are a shade darker than Spiros, at least when new out of the package.

 

[TroyK]

If you work through the math, when adjusted for both pitch and scale length, the SF Solo A-downtuned-to-G has within a pound of rated tension as the Spiro 4/4 Weich G string. And the overall tonality of SF's are a shade darker than Spiros, at least when new out of the package.

I've done this math and the gauge works out too, if I recall, so it's something I've always wanted to try. Used Superflexible Solos don't tend to show up in the classifieds, so it's always felt like an expensive experiment to me. I've learned that math doesn't always result is something musical.

I'm happy to hear that someone has done this, though. If I get the itch some day or see a used one, I may give it a try.