Double Bass Gut D&G, what E&A?

[kmanley_29649]

I know that this subject has been covered a million times before, but I wanted to ask anyway. I was putting on the LaBella guts I got off TalkBass, and I love the D and G, but as usual, the A has a good bit less volume, and the E is pretty much worthless. My initial thought was to put the Obli E and A back on, and I'll probably do that for now, but what are my other options? I know a lot of people like the Velvet Garbo's matched with guts, but from my understanding, those aren't good with arco, so would the Anima's work? They are higher tension and recommended for arco playing, but is the tension too high to match the guts? For what it's worth, I play about 40% slap, 45% pizz, and 15% arco. I hate the harshness of the slap with steels, and even the Obli's are a bit much for me, but they are not too bad if I have to compromise. What about Evah Pirazzi?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

All strings involve compromise. That's it.

 

[wdave]

I am using Velvet Garbos for the A & E on my gut bass. Very good results.
Dave Little

 

[james condino]

I almost always run a gut D,G. They vary between plain guts and olives, depending upon the needs for that session. For the other two, my current favorite is a Spirocore Stark E and mittle A.

j.

 

[HateyMcAmp]

I've used Garbo lights and Animas with unvarnished Gamut guts. Tension-wise, they both worked, though the Garbo light had a closer tension match. Pizz sound was great with either setup.

While its harder to get a good sound arco out of them than a steel string, they are both head and shoulders above nylon wrapped stuff usually aimed at slappers and roots guys. On the E and A strings, Garbos and Animas are comparable to one another under the bow. My biggest issue is that going from the metal-wrapped A to the plain gut D arco; its a big difference in sound and technique! I don't know if I could use it in a performance setting, but my bowing is pitiable to start with. YMMV.

 

[Bobby King]

I've been using Super Sensitive Sensicore on my E&A and I like them quite a bit. They were recommeded to me by Nashville's Dave Roe. They are a flatwound, perlon-core string, along the lines of Obligato and Evah, but I like them better. They are darker and more "gut-like" than Obligato, but more lively than Evah. Very durable too, I've had them on and off without losing any sound quality. They bow OK, perhaps not as well as the Pirastros, but definitely passable.

 

[kmanley_29649]

I've been using Super Sensitive Sensicore on my E&A and I like them quite a bit. They were recommeded to me by Nashville's Dave Roe. They are a flatwound, perlon-core string, along the lines of Obligato and Evah, but I like them better. They are darker and more "gut-like" than Obligato, but more lively than Evah. Very durable too, I've had them on and off without losing any sound quality. They bow OK, perhaps not as well as the Pirastros, but definitely passable.

Come to think of it, I have heard a lot of good stuff about the Sensicores. Now I've got another string to consider. I'll probably be throwing my obligatos on for the moment, but I've used this setup before, and while I liked it, it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. I suppose it'll do in the meantime while I get a better idea of what I want to use in the long run.