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Double Bass Help Me. Need to make a decision today. (poly vs. flexo vs. ???)

J

JLubinsky-Mast

May 18, 2007
298
207
Vancouver BC
#1
Here goes...
I'm a gut string user, that's where the sound in my head is at.
I'm lucky to have two basses (one with guts and one with steels).
I play slap, I pluck and I arco(a little bit).
I recently had my American Standard converted to a removable neck bass. I've had an old set Spirocore Weichs on it. I've made these strings work, especially with one band that I've been playing with a bunch (Petunia and the Vipers) drummer, loud acoustic guitar, loud electric, lap steel.
I'm heading on the road for a month long tour in Europe on the 28th with a real old-timey acoustic band. The sound that I'm getting from the Spiro's just isn't going to work, especially since they seem to brighten up when I take them off and put them back on the bass.

So, after combing through the threads, it seems like my gut is saying Flexocore Deluxe or these new Polychromes all the cool folk are using.

Flexocore are appealing, steel core, possibly less stretch, slightly stiff to the touch (I like to keep my hands in shape), dark sounding

Polychromes are appealing, dark sounding, seem to stabilize soon, I've had success with the Innovation Blacks, have rave reviews, and touch is possibly closer to gut (which is also a downside, as I like to keep my hands ready for the hardest stiffest strings should disaster strike and I need to borrow a "bass")

Jargar's are appealing based on their reviews on Gollihur. Plus their price...

I've got to go to the store this afternoon and pull the trigger.
Please tell me how it is.
 
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#3
Spirocore Solos are a whole other thing from Weichs, IMHO. Definitely darker and slightly softer while maintaining that spirocore clarity and durability. They aren’t totally dead and stiff like orchestral stings. Another option could be Helicore Hybrid light. Honestly, I don’t think any synthetic core string is going to cut it for a RN bass.
 
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#5
Sam Dingle said:
I have flex deluxe on top of dead Spiro mediums. Good combo. I vote for flex deluxe and maybe your Spiro E
Click to expand...
I have this same blend on my main classical bass. It bows beautifully and the FD’s would be nice for an “Americana” sound. Wouldn’t be my first choice for a modern jazz gig, but could do in a pinch.
 
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#10
KUNGfuSHERIFF said:
Technique. Pull hard high up the fingerboard and mute with the left hand.
Click to expand...


I definitely hear what you’re saying here. Having some extra time to play shows trying to make it work, this has helped.
There is still a little something that the spiros give off that doesn’t jive with my ears.

I’m nervous about the spiro solos, it feels like the difference between usable and unusable spiros is time that I don’t have.

The flexocore deluxe are in my future I think
 
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#12
Neil Pye said:
Keep in mind that what the audience hears is absolutely not what you're hearing. I think this is where a lot of the string angst comes from. Try asking someone you trust what they hear in the room
Click to expand...

You raise a very good point. I've chewed on this a bit, the I think the main reason I'm sweating this, is the singer/ guitarist in this band sits down and is normally only a few feet at most from the front of my bass, if we were playing larger stages I would sweat this less.
 
#14
Neil Pye said:
I'd like to bet the singer/guitarist has almost no interest or knowledge to offer on the quality of your sound. If my experience is anything to go by, he/she wil be much more interested in the quality of your playing
Click to expand...

I’ve had some funny situations over the years. A band leader who insisted on gut strings (great!!) then would get pissed off when I had to tune in between songs. Low and behold, he had no idea when I brought out the American Standard with spiros.

The band that is taking me on the road this time is different, I’ve played with them for years. We’ve had some good talks about tonal compromises when flying out and various things.
And to be honest, he noticed it first song when I busted out the spirocores.

It’s important that I get this one right, for my own enjoyment as well.
 
#15
If anyone is interested, I couldn’t find polychromes anywhere in Canada.
I was worried about the time it would take me breaking into a set of spiro solos.
I ended up ordering flexo GDA from one dealer, and ordered a set of Jargar’s from another dealer just to be safe.

The Jargar’s showed up first, the pirastros still haven’t shown up.

So far so good. They seem to be a nice cheap set that does what I’m looking for, at this time.
 
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#16
21 shows in 23 three days. Four flights. I'm back home.
The whole time all I had was a Beta 57 wrapped in a towel under my tail piece going to the sound person.

The Jargars performed admirably. I could be wrong, they're close, but I think thy're a bit heavier than Spiro Weichs.
I've really enjoyed playing these strings. This weekend I'm heading into the interior of BC where temperatures can be quite high. Going to be playing with some electric instruments and a drummer.
If anyone is interested, I'd be happy to update.
 
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