• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Fifths Tuning - Strings

#21
Pirastro sent me an Evah solo F# and low C to try and the gauge was really large and the tension was very high. I couldn't use them. So I would not recommend you spend your money on them.
I can't use the Dominants because I am always changing my strings between the low C and the bassetto tuning. Both times I have tried Dominants, they broke the first time I took them off and put them back on. I can not afford their unreliability. That being said, Joel Quarrington has used Dominants in the past and likes them. They are the lowest tension solo strings available.
 
#24
wouldn't know till we try it though. My buddy down here has an Evah Pirazzi solo A with Dominant D, Dominant F#(G), and Spirocore C.
He really likes the high A and is contemplating trying the D and low G along with it.
If gauge is an issue, they've got the weich set available too now.
The fat D is a great string, but probably takes getting used to. 2 days is not really a great way to judge strings.
lol, I'm not trying to sell Evah Pirazzi's. I don't work for them. I just think they're pretty good strings, and my buddies agree.
Depends on the bass too I guess.
 
#25
Mike D. said:
wouldn't know till we try it though. My buddy down here has an Evah Pirazzi solo A with Dominant D, Dominant F#(G), and Spirocore C.
He really likes the high A and is contemplating trying the D and low G along with it.
If gauge is an issue, they've got the weich set available too now.
The fat D is a great string, but probably takes getting used to. 2 days is not really a great way to judge strings.
lol, I'm not trying to sell Evah Pirazzi's. I don't work for them. I just think they're pretty good strings, and my buddies agree.
Depends on the bass too I guess.
Click to expand...

Heh. No, I get what you're saying. It was kinda a love 'em or hate 'em reaction.

PS: Who is your friend? It would be great to speak to a classical guy in fifths.
 
#26
I`m bumping this old thread because I`m right in the middle of it now and don`t want to start a new one yet. Let`s see how this works, if there happens to be any fifts-tuning players checking TB out.

I got into fifths thing quite recently and bought some Pirastro flat chromesteels with low B, solo Fis, D and solo A. D and A are decent but the lower strings did not work at all. I was all too impatient and ended up using Spiro mittel A downtuned and D with FCS B and solo A ( or I used them every other day, while getting crazy about wether making the switch or not, the other days I was using full Spiro mittel set in fourths :) )

I finally got the full Spiro Red Mitchell set today. I have to take my bass to the luthier to check out what needs to be done setup-vice and I know that the strings are completely new. The low C is wonderful, it roars like crazy, the G is marvellous too. Then there`s the typical Spiro mittel D and a high A that is on the thinner side a little. I like how the set sounds, it seems to like a little less tension than the fourths mittel set, or at least for that low C. I took the strings down a little, now set up at C 8mm to A 5mm.

On my bass this makes the higher strings sound louder than the low C and when I raise the action the C starts to make quirky sounds and gets harder to play. Again, I know that the strings are completely new and it will take weeks to get them settled in properly.

I will try the FCS D and A tomorrow, even when they are significantly thinner gauge than Spiros. I kinda got to like the older school-ish pizzicato sound of that A string.

The bass will go to luthier and the strings will be played in, but meanwhile I`d like to know what strings are you fifth tuning folks using with Spiro C and G?
Dominants are popular and I would like to try them some day, but if the acoustic volume of the C string maintains to be an issue I`d be interested in something not so loud, to balance the difference. I practice 50 / 50 arco / pizz but play exclusively pizz with other people.

Thanks in advance, Reiska
 
#29
Spiro low strings are some of the best low strings on the market, especially the Low B(C) and E. Glad to hear you like the G as well.

Using dominants on top has always been a pretty "standard" 5ths setup. for people who are looking for a darker sound I've heard Bel Cantos being recommended. The most important thing to try for is relatively even tension across the strings. Some solo and orchestral sets of the same make of string are VERY different.

There's a facebook page called "Play Your Bass in Fifths, Man" which gets relatively regular activity. you have to ask permission to join, but they're really nice folks, and looking through the posts on the wall can give you a great amount of information for what you're looking for.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Reiska
#30
I have tried a bunch of different options, and I have currently settled into the top two Permanents and the bottom two Spirocores. Dominants on top is actually one of the only "standard" 5ths sets I haven't experimented with on my bass.

I like the Permanents because I find them a little more bow friendly and less "twangy" than the Spirocores on the top, but they still are focused and direct sounding, so they blend well with the Spirocores. A lot of cellists use the two and two mix, and I'm not sure if he currently is, but Edgar Meyer (albeit in extended E, B, E, A tuning) uses that mix as well. I find it a good crossover set for when I am doing more pizz work, and I've been really happy with it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Reiska
#32
Thank you all for your replys! I played amplified at my school band rehearsals all day and Spiros worked out very well. I actually had problems in hearing lines played on the A string, rather than low C. The amp ain`t nowhere near an DB amp, but still.

The band teacher is also a bassist and tried my bass and the tuning. I got to hear it from a distance and was pretty satisfied with the way it sounded. Lots of Spiro quality, but even and balanced. Maybe another room and player made some difference as well.

I`ll try the FCS D and A today, I still aim to that a bit more old school vibe on higher strings. But the low Spiros are great, really great! No wonder they are so popular among fifths tuning players.

Permanents are definently interesting option and so are many other strings. I quess I could go way darker D and A, as the problem with darker strings has been on the lower ones on this bass. Anyway, the nut and the soundpost will be checked by my luthier asap. Bridge slot is wide enough but the nut propably needs a little filing.

Thanks and please keep on posting!
 
#33
Have to say that I´m in no hurry with those D and A strings -The full Spiro set is wonderful and my bass likes them more than any other string so far. Tried the FCS`s today but no, swapped high Spiros back and raised the strings back to C 9mm - A 6mm. Even and balanced sound, lovely roaring sustain that lasts forever. Its the kind of " contemporary " DB sound that comes out natutally from mittel Spirocores, this bass and setup. Why fight it and spend all the money while at it.
 
#35
Thanks paulunger! I`ve heard lots of good things about Dominants and was very close on getting a set in fourths with kind help of fellow scandinavian, mr Sidecar. Dominants are said to be kinda updated Spirocores and thats why they propably would work well on my bass. Easier bowing on D and A would be nice. Spiro C and G seems to bow decently, even with my very limited skill.
 
#36
I ended up ordering Obligato fifths tuning set, along with a new bridge that I`m going to reshape ( can`t do this to existing bridge cause the bass isn`t completely my own yet ) to a wingless bridge.

I like my un-played-in spiros and the fingerboard propaply needs to be plained ( more space to C string to vibrate ) but there are issues. The C strings rattles if not plucked straight to the side and is hard to get going with the bow. If I raise the strings higher the overall tension gets too high. Strings are now at A 6mm - C 9mm, any lower than that and the C string gets floppy and it`s hard to get volume out of the A string when plucked. I thought that lesser-tension Obligatos a little higher ( A 7-8mm - C 10-11mm ) might do the trick and might give a little more of that old school-ish sound I`ve been hearing in my head for a while.

Anyway, I must take a trip to luthier someday soon.

What are your experiences on Obligatos, especially pizzicato?

EDIT: At least Obligatos are popular at String Haters thread... Well, let`s see.
 
Last edited:
#37
Got the Obligato set today and they do very well when set up higher than Spiros ( I have mine at C 12mm - A 9mm now ). This is the old school-ish sound that I`ve been hearing in my head. I like the touch of them, stretchier and meatier than Spiros.

Acoustic volume ain`t nowhere near Spirocores but you get them ringing when pulling hard. I like that sound, there is this gut-vibe going on. The major drawback is the arco sound of C-string, it gets lost. It`s funny that these strings seems to overall work better pizzicato than arco, beeing a hybrid string?! The sound is nice but pretty quiet.

Have to keep on playing these a lot, my bass propably has to adjust to the switch and I hope that the C-string wakes up a bit! Spirocore C would have too uneven tension and sound at these string heights. With which string should I try to replace the Obligato C if it doesn`t start to work after it`s played in? Some low B uptuned?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back