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Double Bass Help needed - Stainless strings

dex

dex

Oct 8, 2002
338
7
Vancouver, Canada
#1
Due to my contact allergy to nickel/chrome I was left with no option but to use Velvets, Eurosonics, old Super Sensitive Red Labels (they used to be stainless wound) and La Bella black nylons for past 9-10 years, ever since I developed this stupid allergy. The Velvets are fantastic and Animas are IMO one of the best strings ever made. The only problem is the "green fingers effect" since my hands sweat like crazy. I have more than a year old Animas on my hybrid and my fingers are still green after just one set. I cleaned them with everything possible including highly recommended toothpaste but Hulk's fingers are still there. I've been looking for high quality stainless steel strings with steel core to no avail. I tried D'addario Preludes but the tone and volume is just not there for me.
I love playing an upright but more and more often I would just pick up my BGs to gigs.

Does anybody know of any stainless steel strings currently available?
I am looking to get the volume, tone and zing of Spirocores or Jazzers. I play only pizz.
Your help is truly appreciated.
 
#6
Thank you Francois. The preludes are stainless wound but, unfortunately, the sound is just not there.
I was hoping that new Belcantos will work since Belcanto Cello are nickel-free but Thomastic opted out for chromium winding for the bass. You are right for the Corellis, top two are nickel.
:bawl:
Francois Blais said:
I'm sorry for you!
I know Jazzers are nickel wound.
(so are Preludes I think)
Spiros are probably chromesteels.

Corellis 370's use tungsten, but only for the E&A I think. The top ones are nickels too, AFAIK.
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#9
I used to play guts 15-20 years ago and could never get used to them. I still have a couple of sets that I use only when required for recording but as soon as I get out of the studio I take them off. I double a lot and once I put a BG down (zingy roundwounds) and grab an upright with guts I feel completely lost. Sustain is something I just can't live without.
Even Eurosonics and La Bella black tape feel strange when doubling, La Bellas definitely better but sound is rather thin.

TroyK said:
What about gut strings? Not the Spirocore sound, but should work around your allergies and it is a great sound and feel once you get used to it.
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#12
I was thinking about those but again, after playing Eurosonics and La Bella blacks I don't think it would be the best choice for me. My bass sounds killer with metal strings, it opens up with a huge volume and projection. Every time I tried synthetic/nylon wrapped strings my trusted luthier was doing miracles but the bass just sounded ok, very thuddy and choked and not enough volume.
Good ole Spiros, I miss them so much.
I was hoping there is still somebody out there who still makes stainless strings, somewhere in a small Italian village. Man, what a beautiful dream.....



Phil Rowan said:
Innovation has black nylon rockabilly strings, if that helps?
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#18
:eek: Now that's weird...
The problem with the contact allergy is that while your hands are totally dry it's not going to trigger the reaction. The smallest amount of skin perspiration (PH) dissolves nickel/chrome causing the allergy. I just can't picture myself injecting Botox.
 

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