Any recommendations for a Gut D string (lenzner) alternative. Looking for roughly the same thickness, but more presence.
Thanks
Thanks
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Double Bass Gut D string Alternative
- Thread starter ERIC A
- Start date
Eric, the Superior Bassworks (SBW) Deluxe "Dirty Gut" D I'm using measures at .130". Tone, decay and volume compare well wtih plain gut, and works well for arco or pizz. Looks and feels like plain gut. FWIW, the G measures at .105", with the same qualities AND can optionally also be used as a D string (it's a 6-string bump set). Using the thickest four as a set, I like the A (.155") and E (.170) too, but they have extremely fast decay and really are an acquired taste.
I have toyed with the idea of a full Lenzner plain gut set sometime in the future, but for me these thickest SBW Deluxe strings provide the majority of what I would want from plain gut at about 1/10th the price. It's hard for me to justify the difference.
I have toyed with the idea of a full Lenzner plain gut set sometime in the future, but for me these thickest SBW Deluxe strings provide the majority of what I would want from plain gut at about 1/10th the price. It's hard for me to justify the difference.
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I've found the Evah Pirazzi plain gut to be a good alternative to the Lenzner for the D string. I've had both on my old Kay at different times, but I think the Evah might be slightly larger in diameter.
Gollihur carries both brands (no affiliation, but just a happy customer), so Mark would be able to tell you the difference between them if you were to reach out.
Gollihur carries both brands (no affiliation, but just a happy customer), so Mark would be able to tell you the difference between them if you were to reach out.
Yes. Gollihur's site calls them "Evah Pirazzi Gold/Slap." As full sets, they are sold as all synthetic, or synthetic E and A with plain gut D and G. But they are also available as single strings.
Gamut plain gut strings comes in 6 gauges, making it possible to experiment. However, not a cheap experiment. For instance, I play a light set, but with a light+ D string, exactly to give it more presence/volume.
Gamut Pistoy is more "supple" than Lyon, so one could argue Lyon has more "presence", but some might disagree on that. This choice makes the experiment even more expensive, I have been there...
Gamut Pistoy is more "supple" than Lyon, so one could argue Lyon has more "presence", but some might disagree on that. This choice makes the experiment even more expensive, I have been there...
Earl
Supporting Member
Contrary to popular belief, gut strings have a range of overtones. In my experience the Dirty Gut strings have none, they are just dark. No mids or highs like plain gut.
Plain gut D strings are the worst, and Lenzner plain gut Ds are the worst of the worst. The Chordas Carlos plain Ds aren't terrible, if you can find one being sold singly, but Gamut plain strings are the most sophisticated I've tried.
On my Alcoa, the Deluxe "Dirty Guts" do have a good range of overtones and they move air like guts. And they do not sound metallic at all. Even the wrapped synthetics I've played on my Alcoa have a metallic tone component. I'll also add, the Lenzner plain guts I've played on "normal" double basses sounded wonderful (I'd love to have $ome), and the Deluxe "Dirty Guts" sound just about the same on my Alcoa, we're probably talking about a 90%+ comparison. But -- and this is a big but -- like the Lenzner plain guts I've played, the Deluxe "Dirty Guts" sound extremely old-school regarding tone and particularly decay, and not everyone wants that tone quality.
I'm not trying to sell anyone on SBW though, it's really a taste thing... I'd really encourage anyone interested in any kind of fat low tension strings to study up and as much as possible to try before you buy, and especially to be prepared to get the setup changes necessary to make them play and sound good (slots, sound post, action, fingerboard dressing, etc.).
Gamut Pistoy the best plain D. It crushes every other one I've tried.
Earl
Supporting Member
I agree but I could not deal with how textured it was. I prefer smooth guts.
I am very happy with the raw gut GDA I have from Toro Strings in Italy: Toro Strings - c.da Conicelle 65020 Salle (PE) - Corde musicali in budello di pecora e bue
They were very easy to deal with and their prices were reasonable:
il costo delle corde per contrabbasso è il seguente :
G diam 240 ram 180cm = euro 72.00
D diam 300 ram 180cm = euro 90.00
spedizione euro 15.00
I almost bought from these guys (and will probably get my next set for the 5/8th bass from them): Gut strings made from natural sheepgut
The deciding factor was that the Italians were distantly related to my grandfather!!
They were very easy to deal with and their prices were reasonable:
il costo delle corde per contrabbasso è il seguente :
G diam 240 ram 180cm = euro 72.00
D diam 300 ram 180cm = euro 90.00
spedizione euro 15.00
I almost bought from these guys (and will probably get my next set for the 5/8th bass from them): Gut strings made from natural sheepgut
The deciding factor was that the Italians were distantly related to my grandfather!!
Oddly enough I find mine to very smooth for plain gut, but it's varnished so maybe that is why.
Because it is woven from 3 strands, Pistoy is a bit more uneven or textured than Lyon. Varnish might even that out.
Wich Gamut D? I play Pirastro Chorda CH set. I like very much but the D, when I play the notes A,Bb,B,C...don't "sings". I played years ago the Gamut (full set with Lyon G and Pistoy D) but I don't remember what gauge. I still have all the old strings (I have a full box of strings), maybe I can tried.
The set I meant was the set you have on. I never shifted up the neck playing a plain gut D if I could help it.
