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Double Bass Budget strings

#4
You could pick up the Corelli Tungsten strings from Bob Gollihurs website. They're good to begin with. I think spirocores are fairly cheap, too.

Check the classifieds here, used strings are a beautiful thing for the double bass.
 
#7
Forgive me if I missed it, but is there a particular style of playing you prefer?

Generally speaking- D'Addario Helicore strings would be my suggestion for an "okay" quality, low costing string. Gollihur sells them for $115.00 a set. In the past I've used their "Orchestra" set- I liked them! I tried them when they first came out and stuck with a set for a good long time. Sure, there are "better" strings out there, especially when one has a particular style or sound in mind- but for over all value they are tough to beat at their price point.

Used strings can also be a great value- there are always some great deals to be found here on the TB classifieds.

Good luck,

Joe
 
#9
Meddle771 said:
You might as well get a set of spirocore mittels. Their not the cheapest, but they will last you a very long time which will make up for the extra 50$ you'll spend compared to the Corelli's or Helicores, In my opinion.
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This is very good advice- provided Spiros fit your playing style. They last so long it's crazy- seriously! I had a set on a bass for twelve years, and I only changed because I thought I was missing out after reading all the "string of the week" threads here on TB. Spirocore Mittels are probably THE greatest value available to a working bassist-
THE SOUND, great feel, and they wear like iron.

Discaimer- I'm using Gamuts on the bass I use for everything besides classical orchestra- that's the "other" THE sound! :)
Not inexpensive, but they last forever too!

Joe
 
#11
Sounds like GUT to me! :) Do you bow at all? Gut can be tough to play arco, especially the less expensive sets (imho-ymmv).

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Lezner guts were recommended to me by a very experienced player. They may seem expensive, but they will last you a long time, so in the long run they are a great value. The classic sound of which you speak was created with gut strings...but beware: They can be tempermental in some climates...I feel that their tone is worth any sacrifice...that's just me though- again, ymmv.

Other than that- Spirocore Mittel gauge- new they will sound bright and zingy- then they will settle into a beautiful sound that improves with age- also a great value: they last FOREVER (seriously, no hyperbole!). They would be more of a "late fifties through the 60's (and beyond)" classic pizz sound.

Joe
 
#12
BTW: If you think that Spiro Mittels are expensive, think of how expensive it would be to go and try every OTHER string out there, only to find that all you needed was ONE set of Spiro's!!!

It's called "String Fever"- most of us go through it, spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on strings only to end up back where we started!

So, my .02 is either a set of Lezners or Thomastik Infeld Spirocore Mittel gauge.

Good luck!

Joe
 
#13
DC Bass said:
BTW: If you think that Spiro Mittels are expensive, think of how expensive it would be to go and try every OTHER string out there, only to find that all you needed was ONE set of Spiro's!!!

It's called "String Fever"- most of us go through it, spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on strings only to end up back where we started!

So, my .02 is either a set of Lezners or Thomastik Infeld Spirocore Mittel gauge.

Good luck!

Joe
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Thanks, I'm 14 and I'm still pretty new to the double bass (though i've played electric for ages). Don't gut strings require maintenance? And how much would a set of spiro's roughly cost? Btw, I don't think I'll be playing arco, I'm hoping to play jazz or bluesy music.
 
#14
First- If you don't mind some advice: Don't rule out arco playing completely. Even if you don't plan to join an orchestra, arco practice is the best way to develope your intonation- and it's a lot of fun when you get half way decent at it! :)
And despite what some people may tell you: You CAN bow on guts or Spiros, it's just not as easy as it is on some other strings!

Gut maintenance- yes, there is some work involved, but it's not laborious. Depending on the climate where you live you may need to do more or less- lots of changes from high humidity to the lack thereof and back can cause the biggest problems. Generally speaking though, you may need to oil them from time to time; and they sometimes will get little "whiskers" that you have to clip off.

Gut strings that have a winding on top of a gut core can be tough to keep in tune- the two materials react differently to environmental changes. It has been my experience that plain gut strings are very stable, and I live in a climate that is hard on gut strings.

Spirocore cost- shop around a little, you might find some deals. I usually buy my new steel strings from Gollihur's Music- and they sell them for about two hundred bucks, and they used to include shipping in that price.

Buying a set used is a great way to go too! Some people love the zingy sound of a new, fresh set- so they like to change them often and sell the "broken in" strings here on Talkbass. It's a GREAT symbiotic relationship- like the little birds that go into crocodiles mouths to clean their teeth! :cool: "Everybody wins!"

Good luck!

Joe
 

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