As Nathan points out, the "Low G" I am referring to is the second lowest string on a 5ths tuned bass. I decided to use "Low G" to differentiate from a "High G" or "Normal G" for 4ths tuning. I was not aware that Velvet had discontinued their 5ths set, which is a shame. It was a great set, and one of very few options for 5ths players.
Unfortunately Gensslers are out of the budget for a lot of us, the Obligatos are just as (un)popular among 5ths players, Eudoxas are expensive and gut isn't for everyone, which leaves Spiros. The Spiros are usually shipped in sets, and a lot of distributors/shops (at least here in Canada) are very reluctant to break the set.
Solo F# strings tuned up work for some bassists/basses, but really don't for a lot of us. This has been explained by people saying it was designed to be a bottom string, so the gauge is wrong. Solo strings are usually higher tension as well, so the increased tension of tuning it up chokes the bass. Some players have attempted taking a higher tension 4ths A and tuning it down, but that usually leads to more tension problems, because we are trying to get a string to do something it was not designed to do.
On the positive side of things, significantly fewer bassists in 5ths experience problems with solo A strings, or 5 string low C/B strings, and it has reached a point where more strings are offered in solo and 5 string sets than not. This means that we are one string away from a huge variety of 5ths sets. Better yet, with Thomastik making the Red Mitchell Spirocores and Pirastro making the Eudoxas and Obligatos, those companies (which account for most of the string options) already make a 5ths tuning G for a different set. So it really shouldn't be much of a stretch to make them in the rest of their offerings.
I currently play Red Mitchell Spirocore C and G, with Permanents on top. A lot of 4ths players mix a low Spirocore with just about anything on top, as well, and they are a great string. They are sometimes unforgiving, but pretty good under the bow, and a good crossover/pizz string as well. Just like 4ths, Spirocores aren't for everyone. It would be nice to have more options.
Unfortunately Gensslers are out of the budget for a lot of us, the Obligatos are just as (un)popular among 5ths players, Eudoxas are expensive and gut isn't for everyone, which leaves Spiros. The Spiros are usually shipped in sets, and a lot of distributors/shops (at least here in Canada) are very reluctant to break the set.
Solo F# strings tuned up work for some bassists/basses, but really don't for a lot of us. This has been explained by people saying it was designed to be a bottom string, so the gauge is wrong. Solo strings are usually higher tension as well, so the increased tension of tuning it up chokes the bass. Some players have attempted taking a higher tension 4ths A and tuning it down, but that usually leads to more tension problems, because we are trying to get a string to do something it was not designed to do.
On the positive side of things, significantly fewer bassists in 5ths experience problems with solo A strings, or 5 string low C/B strings, and it has reached a point where more strings are offered in solo and 5 string sets than not. This means that we are one string away from a huge variety of 5ths sets. Better yet, with Thomastik making the Red Mitchell Spirocores and Pirastro making the Eudoxas and Obligatos, those companies (which account for most of the string options) already make a 5ths tuning G for a different set. So it really shouldn't be much of a stretch to make them in the rest of their offerings.
I currently play Red Mitchell Spirocore C and G, with Permanents on top. A lot of 4ths players mix a low Spirocore with just about anything on top, as well, and they are a great string. They are sometimes unforgiving, but pretty good under the bow, and a good crossover/pizz string as well. Just like 4ths, Spirocores aren't for everyone. It would be nice to have more options.
