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Double Bass DB Strings- Reasonable price, jazz bassist

C

Cara Steinberg

Feb 12, 2019
8
0
#1
I recently broke my upright bass string. I am now in the process of looking for a new set of strings and am SO overwhelmed! They are really expensive...

I used to have Heritage Jazz Strings, but I think they are kinda poopie since I have had 2 strings break since I got my bass (2 years ago) and I'm trying not to blame the conditions in the house where its stored.

I know everyone on these string forums love Spiros, but they are a huge investment. Is it worth it?

Another thing to keep in mind, I won't be able to play my bass for a while this fall since I have to leave it at home while I go away to college, if that affects anything?

Some info is that I want-
- Good jazz strings
- Good for Pizz
- Reasonable price?

Any advice is helpful, thanks sm!!
 
#2
Check here often (and search deep): For Sale: Double Bass Amps, Strings, & Accessories

Can’t go wrong with Spiros (and they’ll pop up fairly often for sometimes great deals on the TB classified). Also, they’re practically indestructible, so it should be fine to leave on the bass if you don’t play it for a while (I would be more worried about the state of the bass bass the state of the strings, which by the way, be sure to detune them by a half or whole step before you take that long break).
 
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#3
Phil Rowan said:
Check here often (and search deep): For Sale: Double Bass Amps, Strings, & Accessories

Can’t go wrong with Spiros (and they’ll pop up fairly often for sometimes great deals on the TB classified). Also, they’re practically indestructible, so it should be fine to leave on the bass if you don’t play it for a whole (I would be more worried about the state of the bass bass the state of the strings, which by the way, be sure to detune them by a half or whole step before you take that long break).
Click to expand...
Ok, I will be sure to do that before I leave it. Any other storage suggestions?
 
#7
I'd grab mitts myself. Weichs are too small feeling*. Either way, though, if you put on spiros and like them, they'll easily be able to stay on until you sell the bass (and probably after that, if the buyer also likes spiros).

*I like guts and other larger-diameter strings, so this is an obvious YMMV statement. My caveman brain and hands like the larger diameter.
 
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#9
Cara, different basses like different strings, and there is no string that's best for all basses. That said, a few good choices for you:

Thomastik Infeld Spirocore (mittel or weich) - expensive but last forever
Thomastik Infeld Superflexible - much cheaper than Spiro, a little less bright but not too different
Pirastro Perpetual - much cheaper than Spiro and very nice
Pirastro Evah Pirazzi weich - nice ping on the attack, cost more than Perpetual but less than Spiro
Pirastro Obligato - a bit thumpy, if you like that
Innovation Honey
Innovation Rock-a-Billy

I generally buy new strings from String Emporium or Gollihur, used ones from the classifieds here.
 
#13
Heritage strings have synthetic core that feels very different to steel core strings.
Innovation Braided have a very robust Core, different from other synthetic core strings, that might feel more familiar to you than steel core strings. They get a bit darker over time but still sound good. They don’t have the lifespan of Spirocore strings (which can be 10-20 years), but if you want something similar in sound and feel I would go with the Braided which I prefer over Evah Pirazzi Weich.
An alternative with a bit less tension than the Braided are the Innovation Polychromes, which might work as well for you.

I once played on a bass with very old Heritage strings and hated that plop with an extremely short sustain. So it might be time to get new strings.
 
#14
+1 for Spiro weichs.
One thing- if both your strings broke in the same place, for example where they rest in the nut, you might want to address the cause of the breaks. Strings do break, but it’s not common so you might have a small and easily fixed issue with the instrument itself. Good luck!
 
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#15
Not a spiro fan myself, but ANY string should last longer than a couple of years. Sure, the upfront cost is high (especially compared to other instruments), but they should last for years and years. Not seeing any signs of wear on my guts 1 year in... And my Innovations were as good (defined however you wish! ;)) the day I took them off as the day I put them on 8 years earlier.
 

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