• 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 First bass help needed

#41
I went into town today and asked all of the questions you guys suggested and here are the answers I received. The bass is fully carved spruce front and maple sides. It arrived in the shop set up by stentor and they have not touched it set up wise as they said that everyone likes their bass a little bit differently which is understandable. The strings are standard stentor strings that it came with. They have sold a lot of them in the past and have received no complaints about the bass. They do not do custom setup themselves but have put me in contact with the guy that they send all their stock to to be repaired called Aiden Mulholland and he seems to know what hes doing. Don't really know what to make of this information so I am trusting you guys to help with this decision :)
 
#42
Also it sounded better today as I wasn't being too careful and played it normally so it sounded rather good, for pizz at least. The guy did let me have a go arco but I couldn't get a sound out of it as he only had a rosined up cello bow with cello rosin haha
 
#43
Okay. So, call the luthier they referred you to and tell him you're thinking about buying one of these basses. Ask his opinion on the bass and the factory setup and what would suggest. Ask if he knows of other basses in this range new or used in the area. Thank him and make sure he remembers your name and how polite and respectful you were. That may be one of the most important relationships you have for the next decade. Ask him what he thought it would take to refine their setup with a new set of Spirocores (strings), thank him for his time and get off the phone.

Then decide. Did he point you toward another shop or bass that you should check out or are you a go with this one? If the later, chose and order a set of strings, find a bow somewhere and buy some bass rosin and then have him set it up with your strings.
 
#44
Thanks man, got his number today off the guy in matchetts and his address so will either ring him or pop into his studio when I have the money to leave a deposit on the bass so I can go secure the purchase if he steers me that way :)
 
#46
There is an easy answer and alternately, it's really complicated, sorry.

I'll give you a few high level opinions, people may start shouting out their favorite strings and then you'll just have to decide.

Spriocore Weichs would be my first inclination. Great for pizz, quite good for arco and in the event of a nuclear holocost they and cockroaches will be only things left alive.

If you are all about playing in an orchestra, which I don't think is the case, then maybe something like Flexocores or Bel Cantos, but again, I don't think that's what you're trying to do.

Alternately, figure out what is available and less expensive for you. I don't know Innovation Strings very well but they are the only UK string and they may be easy and cheaper in which case they probably have a fine choice. D'Addario is that to us in the US. Some people prefer them, but not most, but because they are made here, they are cheaper than European strings.

It is safe to assume that they strings that come with it are not going to be ideal for you and a better set installed by a luthier with a little setup would leapfrog the playability of the bass forward and make it more fun and easier for you to learn on.

I wouldn't worry about much more than that to get going.
 
#48
Well, again, you need to figure out where is best for you.

In the US, I buy from URBBOB, Lemur Music or Quinn Violins.

Does the shop carry bass strings? Maybe one of the UK forum members can point you to your best in-country source. I would think you would want to avoid importing them.

If you buy Spirocores, I would be comfortable with a gently used set from our classifieds too. I honestly would not recommend that to you for any other strings.
 
#55
I gave you my opinion earlier in this thread, which is different than you summarized. They make a variety of models and they are not all the same. They have their loyal users including great bassists like Christian McBride.

I personally prefer Thomastiks, but they are quite a bit more expensive that the D'Addario Preludes on that UK site you had me check for you and are very well regarded for that price. If cost is an issue, I think they are a good first choice for you. If not, Thomastic Spirocore Weichs are still my recommendation.

flbass82 is right, everyone has different experiences and opinions and the bass and the setup have a lot to do with it. On my bass, for my playing, Pirastro Jazzers with a Pirastro Orig. Flat Chrome G string, but I don't recommend that to you.

The only alternative is trying a bunch of stuff, but until you can play and are willing to either do a lot of trading or burn money, I think it's a wild goose chase.
 
#56
Great stuff from TroyK again. I suggest professional set-up and Thomastik Spirocore Lights ( weich ). Playing the bass shouldn`t be any harder than it already is. If there`s no shop that sells them nearby you`ll get them online. I order what I don`t get here ( Finland, Scandinavia, Up North ) from Thomann.

Spirocore lights and mediums ( weich & mittel ) are sort of default jazz strings. Pizzicato sound is sweet, rich contemporary jazz sound ( opposed to thumpy old-school gut string sound ). They are tuff to bow at first but only get better the more you play them. I´m a beginner too and think that they are good to me because they really force me to concentrate on the bow arm. And once you get the sound coming from the low string the floor shakes and you feel the air, the bass, everything resonate. It´s something very, very addictive.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back