Double Bass Custom steel strings

[Kristian]

Does anyone know if there is someone making custom made steel strings?
I'm playing a five string 1/4 bass tuned in fifths so there are not many choices on the market. My bass doesn't like gut strings unfortunately...
Right now I'm using the red Mitchell set with a permanent high D tuned to E( the Pirastro high E strings are to thin and low tension...).

 

[Co.]

Thomastik and Pirastro can make strings from their usual product line for your needs. If they can make custom tunings, they certainly can make custom lenths also.
Both have slightly different prices for custom orders. Just ask them directly.
If you like Spiros with Permanent on top, you might also like a custom set of Perpetuals for your tuning. Very good pizz and arco. Very clear but also warm sounding. Good articulation. Great harmonics.

 

[Kristian]

Thomastik and Pirastro can make strings from their usual product line for your needs. If they can make custom tunings, they certainly can make custom lenths also.
Both have slightly different prices for custom orders. Just ask them directly.
If you like Spiros with Permanent on top, you might also like a custom set of Perpetuals for your tuning. Very good pizz and arco. Very clear but also warm sounding. Good articulation. Great harmonics.

They don't have time unfortunately. Or you need to order a minimum of twelve strings to a higher than normal price...

 

[Sean Riddle]

While not steel core, Gerold Genssler is always an option for custom strings.

 

[Kristian]

While not steel core, Gerold Genssler is always an option for custom strings.

Yes, I have a set of Gensslers strings but my bass likes steel. I also have a removable neck and guts are a bit sensitive to being taken on and off.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

Corelli and Dogal both make strings for smaller instruments

 

[Co.]

They don't have time unfortunately. Or you need to order a minimum of twelve strings to a higher than normal price...

Thomastik has a minimum order policy, but Pirastro don't and they are reasonably priced for custom orders.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Thomastik has a minimum order policy, but Pirastro don't and they are reasonably priced for custom orders.

I wouldn’t say that about Pirastro. Last time I asked a customer string should cost three times the price of a regular string. And I loosely remember that you had to take about three of them.
But my mind is not that good now and it was several years ago.

 

[Kristian]

I wouldn’t say that about Pirastro. Last time I asked a customer string should cost three times the price of a regular string. And I loosely remember that you had to take about three of them.
But my mind is not that good now and it was several years ago.

Yes, Pirastro didn't accept to make a custom string for me...

 

[Co.]

I once ordered a custom high E string from Pirastro and that was only about 10-20% higher in price than a G string.
I also ordered a high e string from Thomastik. They told me, they usually don't make them but have a high F prototype, that they could give me for free.
So no complaints from my side.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

It was not a steel core string I was asking for but a Evah weich high C. That might explain the different experience.

 

[Kristian]

Thomastic gave me the last high f prototype, if I need more I need to order a minimum of 12 strings for around 200 euro each.
Pirastro has an obligato and a passione high e, you can't order anything else.

 

[KohanMike]

I found out the other day that La Bella will make custom strings, but they get busy and hold off at times, like now. I want flatwound 23" scale .048, .068, .088, .108.

 

[Kristian]

I found out the other day that La Bella will make custom strings, but they get busy and hold off at times, like now. I want flatwound 23" scale .048, .068, .088, .108.

Do they make custom strings for doublebass as well?

 

[KohanMike]

Do they make custom strings for doublebass as well?

I would think so if they make standard DB strings.

 

[Kristian]

Do they make custom strings for doublebass as well?

I wrote to Labella, they can't help with custom doublebass strings unfortunately.

 

[Francois Blais]

Maybe Super-Sensitive?
Nowadays they only kept their Red Label (solid steel core) and Sensicore (synthetic core) lines in their bass portfolio.

 

[paulunger]

Last time I ordered high E strings from Pirastro, I had to buy 3. They also would only make a Passione version, which is fine because it’s great string.
If you order from them, be sure to tell them your string length.

 

[Kristian]

Last time I ordered high E strings from Pirastro, I had to buy 3. They also would only make a Passione version, which is fine because it’s great string.
If you order from them, be sure to tell them your string length.

Im actually using their passione high e string right now and I'm quite happy with it. Just want to see if there is something else out there...
Do they adjust the string length? They didn't ask last time. I'm using a 3/4size (i guess) string in my 1/4 bass and it works fine. A little low tension maybe...

 

[paulunger]

Im actually using their passione high e string right now and I'm quite happy with it. Just want to see if there is something else out there...
Do they adjust the string length? They didn't ask last time. I'm using a 3/4size (i guess) string in my 1/4 bass and it works fine. A little low tension maybe...

They did for me. My bass has a 39 inch string length and so I lose about 8-9 pounds of tension.