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Double Bass Conundrum

M

Marcus Johnson

Nov 28, 2001
8,533
96
Maui
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#1
Jaysus... So I've been playing this half/half set, Spiro bottoms/Obligato tops. The Oblis are okay but basically mehh. The Spiros, OTOH, are talking. They are really old. But they sound pretty much like late-era Ray. No banjo-ness left, just that Spiro front, and then fundamental. Growl is really nice, but not excessive. Arco is beautiful.

As some of you know, I have fallen for guts in a big way. But lately, I've really enjoyed the response of the Spiros on my La Scala bass. I give up some in volume, but the quickness is really nice to work with. Plus, I tuned it when I put 'em on, and I haven't since. :D

So now, Quinn is offering a "back to school" special on Spiros... $169.99 a set through October. I'm gritting my teeth, trying to be pure and chaste, but... boy, I'm having a hard time. I figure i could buy TWO sets of these, and not look back for quite some time. My wife would be slightly happier when she sees the string bill on the credit card. Arggh.

I wouldn't consider it if it didn't make sense musically. But dammit, those things sound good on this bass. Just like Arnold said they would. :atoz:
 
#2
Marcus,

That is a good price on the strings, and they aren't likely to get cheaper as time goes on. Furthermore, the strings will not spoil if they go unused for a while- so stocking up, even if you only buy one set makes sense to me.

"Better to have and not need than to need and not have."

On the other hand, if you carry a balance on your credit card- the interest will cancel out any perceived savings...

As I read back what I've written I realize that I'm prolly not helping much! :D

Good luck with your decision!


FWIW: I too suffer from the love of gut strings....yes, suffer! :cool:


Joe
 
#3
Well it all depends, Marcus. Are you in or out for guts? if you still like guts in spite of whatever perceived drawbacks they have, then use the money and buy new guts. if not, then buy spiros like they're going out of style and hoard them. ("ah, the last of the 2011s... 'twas a good year for spirocores. just the right amount of front end without too much twang, aftertastes of oak and cherry...")

I'm not you ( I couldn't stand the Maui heat anyways :D), but i think the guts vs spiros is the decision you have to make. do the spiros stand up to the guts?

eerbrev
 
#4
You need $80 for a new Gamut G that will likely last you years. You have a D, A and E that are still good. What is the dilemma?

You wanna borrow my Pistoy G to see if you like it?

If you really want to get funky, get a Pistoy G and D and you'll have most of the quickness of the Spiros with the Gamut sounding goodness of gut.

mark
 
#10
Marcus Johnson said:
Part of the dilemma is that the Spiros sound so damn good on this bass. It's not just economics.
Click to expand...
I played a session at at friend's house, and jokingly kept telling him my carved LaScala (with Spiros) was my 'B' bass. We decided to do it again, and I told him I'd bring my walnut bass. He said "No, this one sounds just the way a bass should."
I hope this messes you up.:)
 
#15
I gotta say tho, the Gamuts still thunder like no other. IMO, the Heavy E is better than a Spiro Stark E: easier to play and speaks a little faster. Whenever I think about going back to cored strings, I just hear the whiny tone I'd get from the middle registers.

Come back to the light Marcus, your bass is waiting to bathe you in that sweet gut sound. :cool:
 
#16
Pretty highfalutin problems you got there Mr. Aloha.

Carry the torch. Bust the nut and buy a fresh set of Guts. You can always string up with them old Spiros when you want to feel ordinary and go slummin with us Plebes.

If yer ride needed tires you'd have bought them already and they would have cost about the same. I'm guessing you don't really care as much about that as yer bass and guts.
 
#17
Most likely I'll do that. Like I said, it's a screamin' deal on Spiros, which sound very good on the La Scala. But then, every time I play the first few notes on the bandstand, I'll be Mr. Wistful Face...... LOL. If I'd never played the Gamuts, it wouldn't be an issue... but I have, so I'm pretty much ruined. Besides... I still haven't tried Pistoys.

Let that be a lesson to any of you who are thinking of string experiments.
 

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