I agree they don’t sound dark. I assume people mean they don’t sound bright. To me on arco they sound like something living breathing.
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Double Bass GUTS ARE SO MUCH FUN!!!
- Thread starter Marc Piane
- Start date
that thought crossed my mind. but the guts barely work at all at lower heights - is anyone that misguided to think it's a fair comparison?
my G is now right around 7mm from bottom of string to the fingerboard. that feels roughly like how metal strings were at ~5.25mm where i used to keep them.
the playability (due to guts flexible nature) is about the same, though unavoidably 'different.' but I do think the gut set is louder.
I think the physical sensation of being able to press the bow or finger into the string firmly "feels" like it's louder, and we all know our brains play tricks on us.
The first note I played after having the strings on I was surprised at how much volume I had.
For pizzicato, you're probably right. For arco, I don't think so.
speaking of string height, what would you guys consider normal for gut?
what is the lower end of reasonable string heights in your estimation? what you consider "normal?"
obviously this depends on preference, your fingerboard, etc etc, just curious what others are into.
what is the lower end of reasonable string heights in your estimation? what you consider "normal?"
obviously this depends on preference, your fingerboard, etc etc, just curious what others are into.
All about the feel. Imo.
Metal wrapped I like around 7-10mm.
I had Sonores B25 that were a bit tighter so I dropped the height at the nut and the string height a touch.
Plain gut, depending on tension, I would think maybe upto 10-12mm across. But I did have Gamut Lyon/Pistoy g/d on my bass and just left the height at 7-8mm that it was at. It was fine, just have to be careful not to push too hard into the strings for arco.
I keep my 2.4mm G (with 3.0 D and 4.0 A) at 7mm for orchestral playing -- but I use a very light Arcus bow, with a loose grip and more arm weight that wrist pressure. The bass is VERY loud and the only (infrequent) choke point is at the F before thumb position for some reason (if I am shifting back down). Orchestral pizz doesn't seem to be a problem either, but I don't know about this set up for jazz etc;
am I correct in assuming that your light bow and technique is compensating for 7mm being low string height?
the luthier who made my bass/installed my strings had it set at 7mm - he knows me fairly well, and knows I like the strings on the low side of "normal."
so I think my original assumption was right, that normal/low for metal strings would be something like 5-5.5mm for the first string, which has roughly the same playing experience as ~7mm with gut.
Re "compensating": I think it was the other way around. I was using the Arcus and arm weight technique as a result of neck surgery, first on synthetic strings, then on guts; I gradually brought the gut height down from @10mm to 7 just to make it easier on the left hand; I wouldn't know if the 7mm arco height would work with a heavier bow or stiffer right hand technique; seems to be a good combo for me all the way around though
now that i've had a few rehearsals and noodled a collective handful of hours,
i'm absolutely sold that for me, gut strings are in all ways superior.
The upper register sounds like the notes are glowing. the low register is wide, full, deeper than the ocean. the jazz sound is to die for. in all styles and registers the complexity is remarkable. I have no issues with bowing or anything.
only thing i've had to keep an eye on is transitioning from first/half position) the wrapped A string to raw D, the D can be brighter/a different texture. it's quite easy to adjust and compensate for, though.
I bought the strings for arco use, and assumed they'd be acceptable for jazz, which is the kind of hybrid i need at this point. but no, the jazz sound is beyond reproach. immediately brings to mind scott lafaro.
i'm also playing on a really fine hand made instrument, so its not all the strings.
but after this time of adjusting, I get why the title of the thread is in all caps.
GUTS ARE SO MUCH FUN!!!
i'm absolutely sold that for me, gut strings are in all ways superior.
The upper register sounds like the notes are glowing. the low register is wide, full, deeper than the ocean. the jazz sound is to die for. in all styles and registers the complexity is remarkable. I have no issues with bowing or anything.
only thing i've had to keep an eye on is transitioning from first/half position) the wrapped A string to raw D, the D can be brighter/a different texture. it's quite easy to adjust and compensate for, though.
I bought the strings for arco use, and assumed they'd be acceptable for jazz, which is the kind of hybrid i need at this point. but no, the jazz sound is beyond reproach. immediately brings to mind scott lafaro.
i'm also playing on a really fine hand made instrument, so its not all the strings.
but after this time of adjusting, I get why the title of the thread is in all caps.
GUTS ARE SO MUCH FUN!!!
Next step is raw A-string
from wound E to unwound A is no problem at all. I never went back to wound A after finding a good raw A string. Have a set of Efranos ADG now, been on for several years.
Next step is raw A-string
i did think of that.
I do like the wound A quite a bit, though. I'm sure i'll try one eventually.
looks like a Gamut pistoy raw A to match my other strings is a $315 string. yikes!
The raw Gamut A string i had years ago was thick like a rope and quite “thuddy”
I find it impossible to play unwrapped gut As above the octave. That makes a lot of Bach even harder to play. Even a gut D doesn't sound that great to me above the octave.
Comrades!
I could go on for days about the agony and the ecstasy of the raw A (I have a Toro 4mm - I think it was 120 Euros custom made; I previously had the Lenzner A): it doesn't like metal endpins; it increased volume and focus when I changed the E/C to a Spiro Weich; sings up to 4th position IF if feels like it that day; and is useless when crossing strings between 4th and thumb positions on most days; but delivers a booming low B for 7 measures in the Tchaikowsky 5th; etc., etc., there are days when I want to rip it off an put a Spiro A (maybe; I tried several wound guts and hated them even more!), but then we make up and move on. What can I tell you!!
I could go on for days about the agony and the ecstasy of the raw A (I have a Toro 4mm - I think it was 120 Euros custom made; I previously had the Lenzner A): it doesn't like metal endpins; it increased volume and focus when I changed the E/C to a Spiro Weich; sings up to 4th position IF if feels like it that day; and is useless when crossing strings between 4th and thumb positions on most days; but delivers a booming low B for 7 measures in the Tchaikowsky 5th; etc., etc., there are days when I want to rip it off an put a Spiro A (maybe; I tried several wound guts and hated them even more!), but then we make up and move on. What can I tell you!!
all seems pretty logical
for me, the wrapped A sounds amazing. I think it's staying. The transition thing is not really much of a fuss.
It bows easily and growls especially well for jazz. the jazz sound is also particularly well balanced between D and A strings this way.
I liked a wrapped A when I had one.
I like the plain A now.
I took the easier route and got a wrapped A for the bass that I've currently got in restoration, and when the day comes that it decides to unravel, I might get a plain A to replace it, I won't know until I get there.
My jazz bass has old Lycons for the E and the A rather than guts.
I like the plain A now.
I took the easier route and got a wrapped A for the bass that I've currently got in restoration, and when the day comes that it decides to unravel, I might get a plain A to replace it, I won't know until I get there.
My jazz bass has old Lycons for the E and the A rather than guts.
+1 for plain A. I took off the Chorda A and E and put on an Efrano plain A (4mm) and plain E (5mm!) Jury's still out on the plain E for pizz, but I'm going to give it some more time. Arco and slap are glorious.
