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Double Bass Help needed - Stainless strings

#21
dex said:
: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.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I eeked out myself when I saw that article.
I guess I was thinking more about the whole anima/green fingers thing.. but yeah, moleskin (hopefully) to the rescue.
 
#24
I am a Jazz bassist suffering from this allergy. Spiros are my favorite string, and I have been looking for a steel string like this that doesn't contain nickel. I know that Tomasik claims that they are coming out with a nickel free belcanto string for bass just like they did for cello. Not sure when they will be released, and I am not sure if this string will be jazz friendly. I do know that the compas 180 is wound with inox which is a type of stainless steel so those should be safe. I would like to try these out next, I am currently playing blues. Please keep me updated sounds looks like we are looking for the same thing!
 
#25
Inox is just another name for stainless steel.

I once went from Spirocore Mittel to Compas 180 (high C only) and compared with a lot of other strings I tried the Compas 180 can be played rather loud, sound and sustain is nice (I like a lot of sustain too) and a bit similar to Spirocore for a textile/synthetic core, but differs from Spirocore Mittel. Tension is less than Spiro Mittel which was too much for my fingers, very good with the Compas 180. I think the tension is a little bit more than other velvet strings. If it is too much for your instrument (I doubt that) there is still Compas 180 SUIT with a bit less tension.

Before you decide if a set works on your bass, let the strings on for at least two weeks. I made the mistake myself and found after a while that strings with less (but not too less) tension work with just a little less output (going from Spiro Mittel to Spiro Weich to Innovation 140B with Spiro Weich on bottom, trying a complete set of Compas 180 hopefully "really soon now").
 
#26
I'm going to suggest D'addario Zyex. The G is Titanium-wound, the D is Stainless-Steel-wound, and the E&A are both Tungsten-wound. I don't know if any of those materials have nickel in them, but if not, it could be a sweet deal. It is a synthetic core set, but I relate the sound quite a bit to Spiros. It is a darker sound with slightly less sustain, but the growl is all there, depending upon your string-heights. The only caveat for me is really the break-in time, which is shorter than spiros but much less bearable.
 
#27
I've been using Velvets for about four years now with absolutely no problems with skin discoloration. I believe that this issue relates to individual problems regarding skin and/or sweat issues like ph, etc.. I would suggest buying a very cheap used single Anima or Blues, and trying it for awhile to determine if it's ok for your individual body chemistry. If you have no apparent problem, then you can spend the $$ for a new set. Lou Roten at LNR Music has the best prices on Velvet strings. I've been through many different strings over the past fifty years, and Animas have been the best strings I've ever had on my Pollmann. One exception might be the Olive G I had on until the wrapping went south in about 6-7 months. I've gotten good life out of the Velvets. Just make certain that your nut and bridge slots are smooth and not too small.

George
 
#28
I think the D'Addario Prelude strings are steel core with stainless wrap.

And...as far as EB goes, the new Fender 9050CL flats set is steel ribbon wrap, not chrome as are D'Addario EB flats and just about everything else out there, and they are not reactive with me. And you can make them growl like Spiros. I hope that's at least a little bit of help.
 

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