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Double Bass Custom/Mixed string sets- what works?

SeayBass

SeayBass

Supporting Member
Jan 29, 2006
880
472
Washington DC Baltimore VA MD
#1
Hi all,

As a customer of Quinn Violins, I received an email today, and they were asking for advice on what custom string sets to stock. They have a nice selection for violin, viola, and cello, but haven't gotten requests to sell mixed sets from bassists.

I laughed out loud! I told them to come here and dig around talkbass.com for a while. But then I thought, "why don't you do this, Eric? You could just start a thread and ask all the string geeks on talkbass for their two cents. . ."

so here goes->
what custom sets do we want Quinn Violins to sell to us?
please keep it simple. Details and explanations are not entirely necessary. This is more a poll.
 
#5
Eddue said:
Instead of mixed sets why not just sell half sets, E+A and/or D+G. That way you can make your own sets or just replace what you need!
Click to expand...

SeayBass said:
this is the type of comment I'd like to avoid on this thread, and just stick to what we use.
thanks
Click to expand...

No, no. If you open the floor to responses then please be open-minded. I thought Eddue's response was right on target. No sooner do you develop a list than someone will want a different mix. Offer 1/2 sets and you're done.
 
#7
Eric Hochberg said:
They should sell singles so anyone can mix the way they want.
Click to expand...

Even better! Lemur, for example, does sell singles. For Spiro mittels at least, the individual pricing of a four-string set is less than $1.00 more than the price for the whole set. So, no real penalty for buying singles.
 
#8
quite so. They do sell singles, so selling doubles, is not much of a change, nor would it help them to lower our costs. Sets of strings sell cheaper than the individual (or pairs).

The point here is that the reseller, Quinn Violins, selling the mixed/custom sets, can order from the maker the specified products in specified amounts. This will enable the seller to reduce their unsold strings, reduce their costs, order more efficiently and therefore reduce our costs.

So this is why I ask, "what do you use?" If they can get info on the most popular mixed sets for bassists, they will stock them and can sell us at better prices.
 
#9
SeayBass said:
Sets of strings sell cheaper than the individual (or pairs).
Click to expand...

Not so in the example I cited. Same holds for EPs at Lemur. I don't see any evidence that sets sell substantially cheaper. I don't use a mixed set but some popular mixes seem to be:

Spiro mitt E/A; Obli D/G
Spiro mitt E/A/D; Oliv G
Spiro stark E; Spiro A/D/G
Spiro E/A; EP D/G
Spiro stark E; Dominant A/D/G

Now just from this small sample, you can see that selling pairs won't produce much gain.
 
#10
Well, mixing Spirocore gauges is one very common trick. Usually people go up a size on the E; stark E with a Mittel set or Mittel E with a Weich set, though someone said they were using a 4/4 Mittel G with a Weich set, which I really want to try now.

Jazzers for E and A and Evah Pirazzis on G and D was a great mix for me.

Permenants with a Flatchrome G worked great for me for a long time.

Spirocore E and A with Gut D and G's is wonderous.

Many of the Pirastro strings benefit from going up a gauge with the E, like Flexocores and Flatchromes.

I've always wanted to try Helicore Orch G or G/D with Hybrid E/A.

But, I'm actually a recovering string mixer, so at the moment, I'm clean and sober on the subject.
 
#11
SeayBass said:
this is the type of comment I'd like to avoid on this thread, and just stick to what we use.
thanks
Click to expand...

I'm really sorry that you took so much offense to my suggestion. I thought it would just make more sense to sell strings in pairs than in mixed sets. And it would be easier for the seller to keep track of inventory. There are so many combinations of mixed set possibilities.

But it was pointed out that if there isn't a noticeable difference in prices then just buy single strings.

I can't understand some of the responses in these forums. There are some TBer's here who seem to be idolized here, if they made the same suggestion you would be singing their praises.

I am sorry my opinion isn't worthy of your consideration!
 
#12
Eddue said:
I'm really sorry that you took so much offense to my suggestion. I thought it would just make more sense to sell strings in pairs than in mixed sets. And it would be easier for the seller to keep track of inventory. There are so many combinations of mixed set possibilities.

But it was pointed out that if there isn't a noticeable difference in prices then just buy single strings.

I can't understand some of the responses in these forums. There are some TBer's here who seem to be idolized here, if they made the same suggestion you would be singing their praises.

I am sorry my opinion isn't worthy of your consideration!
Click to expand...

Eddue, I don't think he was snubbing you that bad. ;) I think these things can be self-correcting. In any case, SeayBass seems receptive now and your idea is being reinforced. Let's all sing together now... :D
 
#15
TroyK said:
Well, mixing Spirocore gauges is one very common trick. Usually people go up a size on the E; stark E with a Mittel set or Mittel E with a Weich set, though someone said they were using a 4/4 Mittel G with a Weich set, which I really want to try now.

Jazzers for E and A and Evah Pirazzis on G and D was a great mix for me.

Permenants with a Flatchrome G worked great for me for a long time.

Spirocore E and A with Gut D and G's is wonderous.

Many of the Pirastro strings benefit from going up a gauge with the E, like Flexocores and Flatchromes.

I've always wanted to try Helicore Orch G or G/D with Hybrid E/A.

But, I'm actually a recovering string mixer, so at the moment, I'm clean and sober on the subject.
Click to expand...

Scott Colley using Spiro E/A with EP G/D.

I used Helicore G/D with Hybrid E/A for few years, it works well.
 
#17
On my gig bass Stark E, mittel A,D and G. I don't consider them a mix since they are all Spiros.Uncle Toad's advise, strongly recommended for small jazz combos.
On my magnificent Paulus, strictly used for studio work, i use Spiros mittel E and A and EP Weich D and G. This combination retains tons of growl in the low end and yes, i consider it an insteresting mix.
Mike
 
#20
Arco bass: EP Weich GDA, Permanent E
Pizz bass: Gamut Lyon GD, EP Regular AE

I like mixing it up too. On the arco bass the decision to do so was based on string response under the bow. The EP Weich E string was a little too slow on my bass.

On the pizz bass it was more of a financial decision. I could not afford the full gut treatment and I had some old EPs in the drawer.
 

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