I've got a Gamut (Lyon med. varnished) G string that I just love. I haven't found a decent D. I've used Pistoy light+, Evah Slap, Aquila, a couple of old strings from I don't remember where .They all sound congested and dull. FWIW the bottom 3 are Tempera Hybrids (older version) and I'm happy with them generally, but they seem pale and unexpressive compared to that Gamut G. I'm a pizz only player in public, though I spend a chunk of practice time daily with the bow.
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Double Bass Help me find a gut D
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Have you tried a Gamut Lyon Medium D? Since you like the G and you're already in that rabbit hole, it seems this would be one option.
Similarly, have you considered the Tempera Oak D, or any combination of the Oaks?
Similarly, have you considered the Tempera Oak D, or any combination of the Oaks?
Funny. The D is the only string I don't like in that set. Might be my bass doesn't get along with it.
Oddly the cheap set of Blast Cult Gut Buckets I bought used 15 years ago has the best plain gut D string I've ever played.
I suggest that perhaps the issue isn't the string(s).
The Oaks do appeal to me, but I am under the impression that you've got to buy the whole set.
I’d try an oliv d, or perpetual stark d. Though neither really has a plain gut character they would probably match well the lyon g.
I had gamut lyon g/pistoy d on my bass for a bit. Same experience, the g worked well, the d was too dull past the first few positions for pizz.
I have Sonores BoM g/d on my bass now and they are great for both arco and pizz.
You are unlikely to find singles of Sonores strings though.
I had gamut lyon g/pistoy d on my bass for a bit. Same experience, the g worked well, the d was too dull past the first few positions for pizz.
I have Sonores BoM g/d on my bass now and they are great for both arco and pizz.
You are unlikely to find singles of Sonores strings though.
I saw that he switched. For amplification I just use my copper realist and a GK. Btw- I have some strings I could sell you for very cheap. DM me if you're interested. I have a drawer full of strings (who doesn't!)
I bought a set of the Tempera Hybrid Oaks. Maybe the best sounding string I've ever tried. I also sounded passable with the bow! My only issue is getting used to the lower tension. I just keep learning this lesson with guts/synthetic guts. If anyone is interested DM me. They have about 20 hours on them.
@lurk , how is your search going?
A couple of thoughts...
First, I've found that ANY D string sounds at least somewhat "congested and dull" when contrasted with the G, especially in higher positions. Maybe it's just the basses I've played, but I suspect it's in the "nature" of the double bass. How is the OPEN D? If it's nice and brash, then the problem is probably not the string itself.
I have given up on gut D for the very reason you give. The Pistoy medium sounded "congested and dull", and the Pistoy light+ was too floppy. The best solution I'VE found is a Superflexible solo E (D). It's not a perfect match, but it gives what I need for pizz and light arco work. It has a little more strength in the frequencies that matter ("presence") than I get from Temperas. A Spiro solo might work as well.
A couple of thoughts...
First, I've found that ANY D string sounds at least somewhat "congested and dull" when contrasted with the G, especially in higher positions. Maybe it's just the basses I've played, but I suspect it's in the "nature" of the double bass. How is the OPEN D? If it's nice and brash, then the problem is probably not the string itself.
I have given up on gut D for the very reason you give. The Pistoy medium sounded "congested and dull", and the Pistoy light+ was too floppy. The best solution I'VE found is a Superflexible solo E (D). It's not a perfect match, but it gives what I need for pizz and light arco work. It has a little more strength in the frequencies that matter ("presence") than I get from Temperas. A Spiro solo might work as well.
The Sonores BoM D string is the best I’ve had for a plain gut type D string (it’s not actually gut but sounds like gut). Much more clear up the neck than a Pistoy D was.
The G and D are so good that I wish I would’ve gotten a full set of the BoM (I got a B26 A and E to have the steel wrapped gut vibe…and they are great..but I wonder how the BoM A and E would be).
I have not had any other Sonores plain gut style strings (like J-Roque or Corax) on my bass so I can’t say how they might differ from the BoM I got.
The G and D are so good that I wish I would’ve gotten a full set of the BoM (I got a B26 A and E to have the steel wrapped gut vibe…and they are great..but I wonder how the BoM A and E would be).
I have not had any other Sonores plain gut style strings (like J-Roque or Corax) on my bass so I can’t say how they might differ from the BoM I got.
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I have two basses, both with Tempera hybrids on the E and A, one with Gamut Lyon D and G, and the other with Oliv D and G. I’m happy with them. Any issues I have aren’t from the strings.
It takes a month or so for gut strings to settle on a bass. Your bass needs to adjust to the lower tension. Pistoy D works great for me across the whole instrument.
That happened to an Oliv G of mine as well, but only after it was a few years old. My climate is pretty stable here though in SoCal. Do you live in a place with bigger weather swings?
