Double Bass Gut Strings: Are They Worth It To Try? (part I)

[Marcus Johnson]

Less pressure, more speed, and plenty of Nymans rosin.

That seems to be the ticket.... although I found that I can bear down on the Gamuts as well, and get a pretty astounding volume level in the process.

It will take some time and finesse, but I blew through a couple of arco solos last night without any major drama. The transition from the Evahs to the Gamuts is pretty seamless on my bass.

 

[MR PC]

Marcus, I want to encourage you to at least try the A string before you pass it on. Think Wilbur Ware...... if you do get around to trying that string!

 

[Marcus Johnson]

Marcus, I want to encourage you to at least try the A string before you pass it on. Think Wilbur Ware...... if you do get around to trying that string!

Think Wilbur Ware..... that's a good mantra....

I had the A on, and it's really very nice. Big sound, good focus, nice arco. Loud!

But the Evahs really work so beautifully with the Gamuts up top, I decided to go that route for now. I have a record date this week, so I don't want to push my comfort zone too much. The Evahs with the Gamuts last night... just blazin'. HUGE fun, I'm looking forward to tonight with a different pianist.

Also, I actually have someone who wants to try the guts out, I think... so I'll send them to someone who can use them.

 

[Gornick]

Marcus, you going with EP weichs on the bottom or regulars?

Ever since I was on the EP regulars I imagined going gut on the GD, but never got a chance to try it. With the EP weichs right now, I am more than content, but that gut monster is still lurking... always something.

 

[MR PC]

Think Wilbur Ware..... that's a good mantra....

I had the A on, and it's really very nice. Big sound, good focus, nice arco. Loud!

Great! Just wanted be sure you found that out. For me, that gut A thing is an addiction.

I may even build a one string box/log around that, like the ones they use at those Kava-Kava ceremonies in Fiji.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

Marcus, you going with EP weichs on the bottom or regulars?

Weichs. I still have some regulars around here somewhere.

The Weichs are a really nice match, IMO.

 

[jrlynch]

ok, so i'm running the evah welchs on the the E/A with olivs on the top ... if i'm following this thread, it sounds like the gamut lyon G med/D light is the way to go, assuming, of course, that i wanted to do something stupid.

jeff.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

Not stupid... just expensive. But you're already springing for Olivs, so you know how to hemmorhage cash.

 

[Bobby King]

Are you playing gut tops again...this week? I can't keep track.

Yes I am, Snarkus, and if you read that post, you'd see that I've been back on the guts for weeks! You'd rather snark than read, eh? (love you like a rock, Toad)

I spent several months with Spiros, Spiro/Evah, Spiro w/ classical G string. I like Spirocores, I really do , but guts have the sound and feel that I prefer, and I guess I just always gravitate back to them. A few months ago Francois gave me some Sensicores, I eventually tried the E&A with plain guts on top and I love this set up. Seriously, I've had no desire to change anything. But, since I only have one bass now, I'm forced to bow on the plain guts. I'm getting used to it, and starting to get a better sound on them too.

 

[milomo]

The Weichs are a really nice match, IMO.

I agree, I just put the same combo (EP Weich A & E underneath Gamut heavy G and light D, both Lyon) on my Juzek last week, and so far i really like both the sound and feel, much more than the regular Evah's.

 

[Uncletoad]

but guts have the sound and feel that I prefer,.

I dig. The perennial struggle for me. I love them I hate them..

 

[Bobby King]

I dig. The perennial struggle for me. I love them I hate them..

That's how I feel about Spirocores!

Currently on my gigs I'm using the string setup I mentioned with a Full Circle pickup, and either a little Genz-Benz Shuttle amp, or a Sansamp RBI and power amp rack w/ 2x10 cab (louder gigs). Both rigs sound good.

I really seem to get a much fuller, more consistant sound using the guts live, I hear much better. I have board tapes from when the Spiros were on and they sound very good too, but I could never hear myself on stage as well.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

Pianist was just shaking his head last night.... said " it sounds like the notes are just popping off the bass".

I haven't gotten to the hate part yet. Good mix for me.

 

[wineaux]

I love the guts/Garbos combo on my '42 Kay and I'm really diggin' this thread!

Thanks, Kevin, for starting it and for everybody else who is playing along.

 

[larssonanton]

I very recently put a set of Chorda C.H. on, and the first thing I have to say is that it´s SUCH a relief to remove the pickup from the bass.

 

[Kevin Hsieh]

I agree, I just put the same combo (EP Weich A & E underneath Gamut heavy G and light D, both Lyon) on my Juzek last week, and so far i really like both the sound and feel, much more than the regular Evah's.

are you using the Juzek at Dizzy's this week? I'll drop by tomorrow and check you out

 

[jrlynch]

thanks for the input ... gamuts on the way.

is there rehab for this string disorder?

jeff.

Not stupid... just expensive. But you're already springing for Olivs, so you know how to hemmorhage cash.

 

[Adam Booker]

is there rehab for this string disorder?

jeff.

Marriage.

 

[wineaux]

There are times when the cure just isn't worth the cost.

 

[milomo]

are you using the Juzek at Dizzy's this week? I'll drop by tomorrow and check you out

Yeah, i am using it this week, so definitely stop by, i'd be curious to hear what you think of the new string mix, and maybe i can get you up to play a tune too.