Double Bass Fifths Tuning!

[bigmatteo]

Hi Calvin Marks,

Theese are some videos of my experience with Pirastro Obligatotuded in fifths, i hope tis help you !








after of three year of playing :








let me if need more help

Matteo from Milan

 

[ldekoning]

Great advice on the Evah Slap E! Pirastro just solved the G string problem for the Evah set.

If you want a C string that blends better with Evahs than a Spirocore C I recommend the Obligato rope core C for fifths tuning. I thought it sounded less mushy than the standard fifths tuning string.

I calculated tension for this set on my bass:

Obligato rope core C for fifths tuning - 62.7 lbs
Evah Pirazzi Slap E tuned to G - 63.7 lbs
Evah Pirazzi Orchestral D - 63.3 lbs
Evah Pirazzi Solo A - 68.5 lbs

They sounded very similar - lots of fundamental but also an articulate edge on the D and A when pushed.

As the A string was a little tight, I tried an Obligato Solo A @ 64.6 lbs.

While its tension matched the other strings nearly perfectly - its tone did not. It lacked the bassy fundamental that Evahs had, and sounded 'thin'. I can see why people like obligato for pizzicato though - that A string pizzicato was amazingly clear with loads of 'mwah'. But it did not match the darker and thuddier tone of the Evahs. The arco tone was also horrid - raw and unrefined, unlike the Evahs. I suppose if I played it longer it would calm down, but I was so unhappy with it I switched back to the Evah Solo A.

I have a Permanent solo A and orchestral D on order to try with Spirocore Red Mitchell 3/4 C and G. String tensions look extremely close, and Edgar Meyer sounds great for both pizzicato and arco on a blended Spirocore / Permanent set, so I am looking forward to trying these.

Spirocore Red Mitchell 3/4 C -69.0 lbs
Spirocore Red Mitchell 3/4 G - 68.6 lbs
Permanent Orchestral D - 66.6 lbs
Permanent Orchestral Solo A - 67.2 lbs

 

[ablumley]

Before I start bothering TI, does anyone here have some info about why the 3986 Red Mitchell Spirocores are now priced 50€ higher than the 3985 set?

 

[Francois Blais]

Set #3986 is 4/4 scale while the set #3985 is 3/4 scale.

 

[ablumley]

Set #3986 is 4/4 scale while the set #3985 is 3/4 scale.

By this logic--longer string lengths equating higher costs (more steel?)--then shouldn't S42 sets also cost more than 3885 sets?

 

[Francois Blais]

Sorry but no idea!
At Gollihurmusic, they're the same price, and also the regular fourth tuning sets.
It's the retailer you got these prices that should explain the difference they're charging.

 

[ablumley]

I'm based in the Netherlands and the only place that I can find 3986 sets for sale in Europe at the moment is directly from Thomastik-Infeld. I noticed the price discrepancy at their online store. Bassico in Germany has stocked 3986 sets in the past but currently has only 3985 sets and some leftover 4/4 weichs (which are no longer made and not the tension that I'm after). When I've bought Red Mitchell Spiros in the past (as recently as last year), 3/4 and 4/4 mittels were always the same price. Gollihur's is a fantastic shop but it seems a little bit environmentally irresponsible to ship EU made strings back from USA (plus there are those tarrifs)...

 

[Francois Blais]

Do you absolutely need the 3986 set for its longer lenght, or just for the reduced tension on a 3/4 size bass?

 

[ablumley]

Reduced tension. On my bass the spirocore banjo effect is minimized with slightly higher string heights...

Anyway, thanks for your help. I'll contact TI

 

[Francois Blais]

Ok.
FWIW, Pirastro is also offering the Obligatos in fifth tuning sets.
And they feel looser than Spirocores. (but don't last that long unfortunately...

 

[ablumley]

Ok.
FWIW, Pirastro is also offering the Obligatos in fifth tuning sets.
And they feel looser than Spirocores. (but don't last that long unfortunately...

Thanks. My style of playing doesn't work well with Obligatos. Last time I bought a set they were falling apart after six months. I've been tempted to try the temperas but after pouring over the TB threads I have some reservations about their longevity as well. Perhaps I just need to chill the f out and play more gently lol.

I was a devoted gut player when I switched to fifths (almost 10 years ago now?!?). At that time I bit the bullet and got Sonores. Incredible strings but during covid I just wasn't making enough money to commission a new set. On a lark I purchased the Red Mitchell Spirocores and to my surprise, discovered that I Iove their sound for both arco and pizz. Plus they can take a lot of agressive playing and don't break the bank when they get broken. I seem to get around 1.75 - 2 years out of the Red Mitchell Spiros before they lose all their overtones or break.

Anyway, I was just curious why Thomastik Infeld are now pricing the RM 4/4 sets significantly higher than the 3/4. It's probably supply/demand. At least today I figured out that an internet search in German turned up a few other European supliers still selling them at the old price. It might be time to stock up...