Double Bass Gut G

[djc03006]

Hi,

Looking to try a gut G to go along with Pirastro Perpetual EAD for mostly jazz pizz, some arco also. the current G is too skinny and my skinny fingers often slip off when changing left hand position. So looking for a beefier G, but still lower tension.

But a couple of questions: what kind of minimum action do I need for a typical gut G (e.g. Oliv G)? Seems like maybe 6 - 9 mm G to E would work, but if I wanted to go lower, maybe that would be a problem?

Would likely have to have luthier file the bridge/nut to accomodate the thicker gut G. If I decide to go back to a thinner gauge G at some point, would that be an issue?

 

[DoubleMIDI]

If you use a metal wound gut and only widen (not deepen) the nut groove you can go back to steel core.
For plain gut you better get a new nut.

 

[djc03006]

If you use a metal wound gut and only widen (not deepen) the nut groove you can go back to steel core.
For plain gut you better get a new nut.

Thanks! Looks like the Oliv G is a metal wound, perhaps I'll try one of those

 

[DoubleMIDI]

You can (often) use the nut groove that is opened for metal wound gut core also with metal wound synthetic core. The diameters are often similar.

 

[djc03006]

You can (often) use the nut groove that is opened for metal wound gut core also with metal wound synthetic core. The diameters are often similar.

Good to know, thanks. Maybe a Perpetual Stark G is a good option as well - thicker gauge than the regular G.

 

[Opus_Pocus]

Hi,
the current G is too skinny and my skinny fingers often slip off when changing left hand position.

Stay slightly on the bass side of the string instead of directly on top and this will stop happening.

 

[djc03006]

Stay slightly on the bass side of the string instead of directly on top and this will stop happening.

Thanks, do you mean playing with more flat fingers?

 

[DoubleMIDI]

I think it is meant to put the finger on the G string side close to the D string, so that you always have the G string against your finger when you change positions.

Another thing could be that the G string is a bit too close to the edge of the fingerboard. In that case a new nut is needed to distribute the string distances new and a bit away from the G-side edge of the fingerboard.

 

[Reiska]

You don't need new nut for a plain gut G, but you'll propably want your bridge reshaped with flatter curve on the crown to achieve balanced feel for both hands. FWIW I need at least 8mm under a plain G.

I've tried Oliv GD Evah AE on my teachers bass, and I don't think that Oliv G needs anything too special from setup standpoint. I'm personally using Evah weich G with 4/4 Spiro weichs now, and I want to think that it comes pretty close to Oliv G / Spiro w mix regarding pizz tone and feel. My bass is a big carved 3/4 with 105,5cm mensure, the action is on the plus side of 7 - 10mm and it plays and sounds great.

 

[Reiska]

Also, I have my nut and tailpiece string routings filed for plain gut GDAE, zero problems with other kind of strings. If you wanna go Oliv, or other beefier and more fragile G string, having the nut and bridge slots widened and well lubricated is essential, but that's about it.

 

[AGCurry]

... typical gut G (e.g. Oliv G)?

The Oliv is not a typical gut string. To my knowledge, Oliv and its pricier sibling Eudoxa are the only gut strings made with metal ribbon (flatwound) wrap. Moreover, they don't sound like plain gut or conventionally-wrapped gut.

 

[AGCurry]

You don't need new nut for a plain gut G, but you'll propably want your bridge reshaped with flatter curve on the crown to achieve balanced feel for both hands.

Careful. OP indicates some arco. Flattening the bridge curve might reduce bowability.

 

[tito mangialajo]

I play, and I like very much, Pirastro Chorda Carlos Henriquez G string. It is available directly from Pirastro.

 

[djc03006]

I think it is meant to put the finger on the G string side close to the D string, so that you always have the G string against your finger when you change positions.

Another thing could be that the G string is a bit too close to the edge of the fingerboard. In that case a new nut is needed to distribute the string distances new and a bit away from the G-side edge of the fingerboard.

Ahh ok, thanks. I'll discuss with my teacher as well to get his thoughts.

 

[djc03006]

Also, I have my nut and tailpiece string routings filed for plain gut GDAE, zero problems with other kind of strings. If you wanna go Oliv, or other beefier and more fragile G string, having the nut and bridge slots widened and well lubricated is essential, but that's about it.

Thanks for your insight! It seems the downside with plain gut is having high action across the board. Not sure how guys like LaFaro played so nimbly with all gut strings!

 

[djc03006]

The Oliv is not a typical gut string. To my knowledge, Oliv and its pricier sibling Eudoxa are the only gut strings made with metal ribbon (flatwound) wrap. Moreover, they don't sound like plain gut or conventionally-wrapped gut.

Ahh thanks for pointing this out, good to know!

 

[djc03006]

I play, and I like very much, Pirastro Chorda Carlos Henriquez G string. It is available directly from Pirastro.

I have seen the Chorda and Carlos Chorda name come up a lot, will have to take a second look. For now I ordered a Perpetual Stark G, looking forward to checking it out!

 

[bassmanbrent]

Not sure how guys like LaFaro played so nimbly with all gut strings!

Scott LaFaro spent a lot of time with Samuel Kolstein to get his string height as low as possible. Apparently it was very low for the era and took a lot of careful work from Kolstein to get his bass playable with so little clearance.

 

[djc03006]

Scott LaFaro spent a lot of time with Samuel Kolstein to get his string height as low as possible. Apparently it was very low for the era and took a lot of careful work from Kolstein to get his bass playable with so little clearance.

Interesting, thanks for sharing!

 

[bassmanbrent]

Interesting, thanks for sharing!

Any time! I've read a fair bit about Scotty over the years and am still amazed by what he did at such a young age, especially considering he only had a few years of playing experience on DB at the time his most famous recordings were made. Jaw dropping! And yeah, he had low action but obviously there was a lot more to his thing than just that.