Double Bass Crossing Over...

[turf3]

Well it's personal preference but I've been well satisfied with Bel Cantos on my rather heavily built carved Romanian flatback.

I like a heavy blunt sound (think Jimme Blanton or Ray Brown, not Chris Squier or Brian Bromberg) and these deliver. I tried a couple different Spirocore (mittle and stark) on low E in search of more volume; they weren't really that much louder and I didn't like the metallic boingy sound so I went back to the Bel Canto E which isn't very loud, but it matches the rest of the strings tonally.

Using strings marketed for orchestral arco play seems to be a minority choice of bluegrass and jazz players, but I wouldn't totally rule it out.

 

[Dave Leighton]

Well it's personal preference but I've been well satisfied with Bel Cantos on my rather heavily built carved Romanian flatback.

I like a heavy blunt sound (think Jimme Blanton or Ray Brown, not Chris Squier or Brian Bromberg) and these deliver. I tried a couple different Spirocore (mittle and stark) on low E in search of more volume; they weren't really that much louder and I didn't like the metallic boingy sound so I went back to the Bel Canto E which isn't very loud, but it matches the rest of the strings tonally.

Using strings marketed for orchestral arco play seems to be a minority choice of bluegrass and jazz players, but I wouldn't totally rule it out.

Thanks. This is exactly the kind of information I'm looking for. Personal preference... It seems like some don't completely process my first post, not saying you.

I am not new to bass. I understand very well the personal preference of strings... Its as if people fear some type of liability by saying "I like theses strings for this reason", just like you did. This is what I asked for. I am gathering information. Please keep it coming.

Dave

 

[Reiska]

Welcome to the dark side! If your bass likes any gauge of Spirocores ( some brighter sounding basses may become overly bright and twangy with these ), they would be a great starting point as they are sort of industry standard. They are great to learn on as they have this clarity that helps you to hear your intonation, be that playing by yourself, or in a mix. Spirocores come in several different lenghts and gauges, of which most common are 4/4 lights and mediums ( weichs and Mittels ). Solo tuning ( F#, B, E, A ) strings downtuned to orchestral EADG are a great lower tension alternative. I play folk / americana stuff on a big carved bass with Spiro mediums, lots of bowing involved, and I have survived the little slapping on them too. Spirocores tend to last a long time, and lose their overly bright quality during the first couple of months. They age gracefully, so to speak.

Good luck!!!

Edit: I play 98% all acoustic, and use a mic when I have to amplify.

 

[Dave Leighton]

Welcome to the dark side! If your bass likes any gauge of Spirocores ( some brighter sounding basses may become overly bright and twangy with these ), they would be a great starting point as they are sort of industry standard. They are great to learn on as they have this clarity that helps you to hear your intonation, be that playing by yourself, or in a mix. Spirocores come in several different lenghts and gauges, of which most common are 4/4 lights and mediums ( weichs and Mittels ). Solo tuning ( F#, B, E, A ) strings downtuned to orchestral EADG are a great lower tension alternative. I play folk / americana stuff on a big carved bass with Spiro mediums, lots of bowing involved, and I have survived the little slapping on them too. Spirocores tend to last a long time, and lose their overly bright quality during the first couple of months. They age gracefully, so to speak.

Good luck!!!

Edit: I play 98% all acoustic, and use a mic when I have to amplify.

Thanks. This doesn't surprise me about the TI's. I have some of their flats on one of my jazz basses. They settle in very well also.

Knowing my nature, I will, at whatever reasonable expense, be going through a few types of strings. All of this is great information to chew on. Appreciate everyone's time. Dave

 

[turf3]

...I will, at whatever reasonable expense, be going through a few types of strings....

Unfortunately, as you'll discover, "reasonable expense" does not coexist with "double bass". The strings that are "reasonably" priced are the strings you don't want to bother with, and all the strings you'd like to try will make your eyes water when you see the prices. It's a good thing DB strings last for decades.

 

[Reiska]

Knowing my nature, I will, at whatever reasonable expense, be going through a few types of strings.

Most of us have to go this way, and one factor in this is that double basses react to different strings in different ways. That said, my path has been from different gut setups to Evah Pirazzi weich ( chrome wrapped synthetic string that combine gut and steel qualities ) to all Spirocores.

Some say that outside orchestral world there really are only two types of strings, guts and spirocores. I`ve found this true after spending awful lot of money, time and effort.

IMO Spirocores are a great starting point as they are great to learn on, and as they can sorta set the bar for other type of strings.

 

[Dave Leighton]

Most of us have to go this way, and one factor in this is that double basses react to different strings in different ways. That said, my path has been from different gut setups to Evah Pirazzi weich ( chrome wrapped synthetic string that combine gut and steel qualities ) to all Spirocores.

Some say that outside orchestral world there really are only two types of strings, guts and spirocores. I`ve found this true after spending awful lot of money, time and effort.

IMO Spirocores are a great starting point as they are great to learn on, and as they can sorta set the bar for other type of strings.

I was leaning towards the Spirocores. Pretty much everything I've read is positive. And having experience with TI's helps. I do appreciate everyone's concern that I understand the cost. I do. I am making a significant switch from electric to DB.

After my visit with the luthier Saturday, I'm going to take what she recommends in her evaluation, continue to read and ask questions.

Then sell more gear and do what needs done to continue a journey that has me enjoying playing music again!

Dave

 

[Ed S]

...

IMO Spirocores are a great starting point as they are great to learn on, and as they can sorta set the bar for other type of strings.

IMO this is a GREAT observation, b/c EVERYONE will be able to compare strings to spiros. And if you start elsewhere, so many folk will ask, "Well, have you tried spiros?" Buy a used set inexpensively and, if not thrilled, stow them away in your drawer or resell for little - if any - loss.

 

[John Chambliss]

Be sure to get a bow also - it will help with your intonation. Inexpensive bows are fine; carbon fiber are a good value on the inexpensive side. BTW, you may eventually fall in love with the bow!

 

[Dave Leighton]

Be sure to get a bow also - it will help with your intonation. Inexpensive bows are fine; carbon fiber are a good value on the inexpensive side. BTW, you may eventually fall in love with the bow!

Thanks! The fact that I am in a Bluegrass band, and now have a DB, I would not doubt anything...

 

[Ed S]

Thanks! The fact that I am in a Bluegrass band, and now have a DB, I would not doubt anything...

What is your band's instrumentation, and how "strict" are they with their bluegrass? If they are at all open, you can start off with just bowed notes at the start and/or end of certain tunes. But with certain other tunes, bowing long notes the first time through can be a really neat way to build tension/add dynamics. As with most things in BG, apply sparingly.

 

[marcox]

What is your band's instrumentation, and how "strict" are they with their bluegrass? If they are at all open, you can start off with just bowed notes at the start and/or end of certain tunes. But with certain other tunes, bowing long notes the first time through can be a really neat way to build tension/add dynamics. As with most things in BG, apply sparingly.

My bluegrass band just started playing a moody, minor-key original that starts as a slow waltz with bowed bass (which suits my very basic arco skills just fine), then goes to a fast 4/4 after the first verse/chorus. It's been a lot of fun to arrange and perform.

 

[Dave Leighton]

What is your band's instrumentation, and how "strict" are they with their bluegrass? If they are at all open, you can start off with just bowed notes at the start and/or end of certain tunes. But with certain other tunes, bowing long notes the first time through can be a really neat way to build tension/add dynamics. As with most things in BG, apply sparingly.

Singer/guitar, fiddle/singer, string player-guitar, mandolin, banjo.

Pretty laid back. 80% I would say is Bluegrass, rest is American Folk, Country and or... Working on Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen right now.

Lots of latitude. As I've said in other posts. I'm an electric bass rock guy. Everyone else has fairly diverse backgrounds.

They said come play, then please join! Play how you want and what instrument you want. So i played an AEB for 4 months on 40ish songs Now I have a DB and I'm going back to square 1 in every way.

It's all good. Right now I'm focusing on having as much fun, without hurting myself and killing the songs...

2 gigs in and I have managed to get through...

Again so appreciate the encouragement and advice!!!

Dave

 

[DJ Bebop]

Just saw this, putting it here...

 

[Ed S]

My bluegrass band just started playing a moody, minor-key original

Not at all an original, but we like playing Bury Me Beneath the Willow in Gm. Also fun bowing opportunities.

 

[Dave Leighton]

So some update. I have played four shows with the DB. Each one has gotten a bit better and I have taken away some good lessons.

I have been doing online lessons that Missy Raines does through Artist Workshop. That's been extremely helpful.
I have somewhat comfortably reworked my fingering and position placement from how/where I played on AEB or Electric on about 75% of the songs we play. Good thing in this is it has also help solidified these song in my old hard brain.

I took the bass into what I understand is somewhat of a DB Whisper up here in NW Washington. Got a clean bill of heath on the bass. Plywood, built in Germany. Solid all around bass and she said I did well on what I paid for it.

I had some Supernils on it. Did not like really anything about them.

Just put on a set of ZYEX mediums on it. Even with my rudimentary DB skills. The bass sings! I have been using a Northern Lutherie Duel Sensor Pickup. I can get decent enough sound with it, especially with the new strings.

Will continue to fiddle...

Dave

 

[bherman]

So some update. I have played four shows with the DB. Each one has gotten a bit better and I have taken away some good lessons.

I have been doing online lessons that Missy Raines does through Artist Workshop. That's been extremely helpful.
I have somewhat comfortably reworked my fingering and position placement from how/where I played on AEB or Electric on about 75% of the songs we play. Good thing in this is it has also help solidified these song in my old hard brain.

I took the bass into what I understand is somewhat of a DB Whisper up here in NW Washington. Got a clean bill of heath on the bass. Plywood, built in Germany. Solid all around bass and she said I did well on what I paid for it.

I had some Supernils on it. Did not like really anything about them.

Just put on a set of ZYEX mediums on it. Even with my rudimentary DB skills. The bass sings! I have been using a Northern Lutherie Duel Sensor Pickup. I can get decent enough sound with it, especially with the new strings.

Will continue to fiddle...

Dave

I recently put Zyex mediums on my bass as well (shen flat back hybrid), they sound great but are pretty stiff for my 68 yr old hands. So now i have a used set of Zyex lights coming my way, to see if they retain the same sound with a softer feel. One type of string that I recently tried was Pirastro Golden Slaps, great tension and really nice strings. But they were a bit too muted sounding, with little sustain. Perfect for bluegrass but that’s not what I’m playing these days.

needless to say, TB classifieds are your friend - lots of members buy strings to try, use them for a short while, then flip them. The Zyex mediums I bought only had a few weeks use on them, the Goldens even less.

 

[rickwolff]

you alls[/SIZE] time. Have a great weekend.

Dave

I can tell you're 'up north'. (I'm originally from Minnesota myself). Here in North Carolina (North Cackalacky) we would say 'I really appreciate y'alls time. (Or, if you want to be clear you're meaning plural "All Y'alls". LOL

 

[Whit Townsend]

I’ve been using Innovation Rockabilly Reds for the last 5-6 yrs, a holdover from a pretty loud and raucous rockabilly trio. They are easy on my hands and seem to work well on my Romanian ply. Soft and round tone but loud enough. Only prob is you can’t bow em.
My pickup system is a Shadow dual pickup blended preamp, pricey but the best sounding, practical, and versatile system I’ve eve used.
Have used this set up for bluegrass, rockabilly, roots rock, blues, singer songwriters, and current my acoustic Grateful Dead cover duo/trio. Sounds good unplugged, with a small amp or a stack, or thru the PA.

 

[Dave Leighton]

Update: So after a year I settled at this point on Innovation Golden Slaps. I have a Lifeline pickup that I use mostly for amplifying. And I have been noodling with an Ear Trumpet Nadine. I am running through a Phil Jones preamp and Broughton LPF/HPF. For the most part, I am running ampless. The bass continues to sound better as my hands continue to learn what to do.

The culmination of this year was a fantastic weekend of gigs. Fridays gig was a year and a day from my first gig on DB with Blue Collar Grass Band. And about two weeks after I first started playing DB. PAWS for a Beer is a dog park in Fairhaven, just south of Bellingham, WA. We play there once a month and have developed a great following from there.

Saturday started with a fantastic opportunity. We played at the North Cascades Bluegrass Festival, at the Deming Logshow, Showgrounds. Great people. Very gracious.

Then Saturday capped off with a 30th Bday party Hoe Down.

I am looking forward to what goes down this year