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Double Bass Cheap eBay Gut Strings--Having Issues

gna

gna

Nov 6, 2024
28
32
Saint Paul, MN
#1
I was playing a mix of SBW Deluxe Dirty guts and Silver slaps on my plywood bass. They were ok. I was gut-curious, but balked at the price for gut strings, so I decided I'd try the cheap gut strings from eBay. I got G, D, and A strings, paired with a wound Efrano gut E I got used. I've had them on for a month, and they have been...problematic.

They're hard to keep in tune, which I expected, but the pitch right when plucked seems different from the sustained note, too. I get lots of buzzing on the fingerboard with certain strings in various positions that I did not have with SBW strings, and I'm not sure where the issue is--some buzzes seem to come and go, some consistent. I tried raising the bridge a little, to no effect. The slapping feels good, but all of a sudden I'm getting problems with two strings ringing that wasn't there a few days ago--not sure if technique or string vibration is cause. I've tried oiling the strings with mineral oil, which seemed to help a little, but I'm ready to go back to the SBW strings.

The strings, though, sound surprisingly good amplified--I've played them on a couple of gigs and they sound "fuller" through the amp. The guys in the band have commented on how good the bass sounds. So I haven't switched backed yet

Is this a case of you get what you pay for? Or are guts going to be a problem, even if I spend more $$ for better strings?
 
#4
It's hard to compare most other strings to the consistency and reliability of SBW Deluxe Dirty Guts. Tone may be a slightly different story, but Dirty Guts are pretty close.

My ideal plain gut set would be Lenzner, but alas, the cost (although Gollihur's price for these strings has dropped remarkably); but still for so much le$$, I'll probably stay with the fattest Dirty Guts for the duration.

I appreciate that you have made the effort to try and basically review the cheap eBay versions. Thank you for that!
 
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#5
Don Hergert said:
It's hard to compare most other strings to the consistency and reliability of SBW Deluxe Dirty Guts. Tone may be a slightly different story, but Dirty Guts are pretty close.

My ideal plain gut set would be Lenzner, but alas, the cost (although Gollihur's price for these strings has dropped remarkably); but still for so much le$$, I'll probably stay with the fattest Dirty Guts for the duration.

I appreciate that you have made the effort to try and basically review the cheap eBay versions. Thank you for that!
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think I’ll put the dirty guts back on. How long do a set last you?
 
#6
When I used to use them with SilverSlaps EA, I'd change SilverSlaps twice to each Deluxe Dirty Guts D and G. I've never had a Deluxe Dirty Guts string physically fail in any way and honestly the only reason I changed them out was because of their age, not their functionality. They are so simple, I'd expect them to last for decades. In contrast to that the SilverSlaps do over time tend to have visible problems with their windings and tend to have their internal silver plated metal foil layer turn color. And some other strings I tried tended to snap unexpectedly.

The newest full set (in their thickest gauges, .105" to .170") that I'm currently using have been on about a year now and I see no wear despite a lot of playing. FWIW, I'd categorize them as being noticeably higher tension than SilverSlaps.

It seems that at every gig someone asks if they're real guts -- including some double bass players.
 
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#8
I'm getting on very well with my eBay gut D and G. They're not 100% consistent along their length, but close enough for the simple bass lines I play.

One thing that helps is searching out lumpy spots and gentle sanding. That fixed two buzzes which were a problem.

When I have to replace them I'm prepared to buy more than one set and throw any which are really bad. At that price you can't expect consistency!

I wouldn't use them for lyrical bass lines, but last night in the pub with friends I thumped out basic stuff and had several compliments on how good the bass (a battered Romanian hybrid) sounded.
 
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#10
I used 220 grit (P220, the European equivalent). The string surface isn't that smooth. Just make sure not to take the high spot down too far, or you make a thin spot! And don't press hard, 2 or 3 passes then check, repeat.

600 would work, just slower.
 
#12
I love the sound of guts, but I prefer playing with steel strings. My recommendation for starting with guts is to buy a good brand used D and G (ex: Efrano, Clef, Lenzner, Gotz) gut string and pair them with used or new Spirocore weich E and A strings. That combination will last a good while and give you time to decide whether to move up to better guts, switch to steels, or whatever.

Edit: And get your bridge checked out and your fingerboard dressed.
 
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#13
I started with inexpensive guts and worked my way up to Gamuts eventually. My opinion is that there is a night and day difference between the cheap stuff and the pricey stuff.

As far as sanding goes, I used to use a super fine grit - mirror polishing grit. I'd have to check my supply closet to find out the exact number. I didn't so much sand mine as I did more of a rolling/polishing stroke on them. You don't want to remove much material, just keep them round and smooth.
 
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#15
Thanks for all the advice. Gamuts are high tension, right? I have a wound Efrano gut E string, and a Lenzer gut G string. Looking for gut D and A strings--might buy singles from String Emporium if I can't find used. Maybe I'll sand the cheapo guts and see if I can smooth them out.

I put the SBW strings back on in the meantime.
 
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#16
gna said:
Thanks for all the advice. Gamuts are high tension, right? I have a wound Efrano gut E string, and a Lenzer gut G string. Looking for gut D and A strings--might buy singles from String Emporium if I can't find used. Maybe I'll sand the cheapo guts and see if I can smooth them out.

I put the SBW strings back on in the meantime.
Click to expand...
There's no such thing as high tension guts. They may be slightly higher than some other brands, but still very low as compared to steel or many hybrids.
 
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#19
Povl Carstensen said:
I think one could say that within that range, they are relatively high tension. Because their classification is based on "old" tuning, A = 415 hz or something. I use lights, with a light+ for D. But others might want to chime in...
Click to expand...
Here's where personal preferences, playing styles, and the instruments themselves matter. I found the "Light+" D too floppy.
 
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#20
gna said:
Thanks for all the advice. Gamuts are high tension, right? I have a wound Efrano gut E string, and a Lenzer gut G string. Looking for gut D and A strings--might buy singles from String Emporium if I can't find used. Maybe I'll sand the cheapo guts and see if I can smooth them out.

I put the SBW strings back on in the meantime.
Click to expand...
As an update, I bought Lenzner gut D and A from String Emporium with my tax return and put them on the bass Friday night with my other two gut strings. They're still stretching, but I have to say I really like the sound so far, especially the D and G. The plain A is a bit flubby, but the bass sounds really good.
 
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