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Double Bass hybrid gut string choices 2024

groooooove

groooooove

Supporting Member
Dec 17, 2008
9,045
6,893
Long Island, NY
#1
since falling in love with my tempera strings, i'm looking to go further in this direction. i also play viola da gamba and am really drawn to what gut strings produce.

i've tried searching but it's a little overwhelming all the choices, info, what is and is not available, and so on.

I've been trying to order from genssler/sonores and so far no luck. let's assume that's not an option.

only other string i am aware of is eudoxa, which seems famous for failures (would love to hear from folks with positive experiences?)

are there any other really playable hybrid strings i should be looking for, made with a gut core? I am aware silk is a great alternative, but aside from genssler am unaware of any available choices at the moment?

any info greatly appreciated!!
 
#3
Francois Blais said:
Olivs?
LaBella is also working on new strings sets: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/la...hybrid-and-gut-offerings-for-upright.1573776/
Click to expand...

i was looking into those.

Contrabass String Set

what about these? I was under the impression gamut was for baroque players but i have no idea. are they appropriate for orchestral and jazz playing? varnished vs unvarnished? too many choices, hence this thread.

Oliv seems like a good choice but i don't think i love the low strings and i definitely don't like (personal preference) mixing them with evahs.
 
#4
groooooove said:
Contrabass String Set

what about these? I was under the impression gamut was for baroque players but i have no idea. are they appropriate for orchestral and jazz playing? varnished vs unvarnished? too many choices, hence this thread.
Click to expand...

They ARE appropriate for orchestral and jazz playing! For bowing, you want varnish, and I recommend Pistoy for G as well as D; the bumpy Pistoy texture is an advantage. It's a good idea to get a fresh setup of your bass after installing, as tension will be reduced. The only other strings in the same quality tier (since Dlugolecki quit) are from Aquila AFAIK. Just be advised that they take a LONG time to stretch and stabilize fully.

groooooove said:
Oliv seems like a good choice but i don't think i love the low strings and i definitely don't like (personal preference) mixing them with evahs.
Click to expand...

I agree regarding the Oliv E and A... and really, wire-wrapped lowers are so much better. But why do you mention Evahs?
 
#5
AGCurry said:
They ARE appropriate for orchestral and jazz playing! For bowing, you want varnish, and I recommend Pistoy for G as well as D; the bumpy Pistoy texture is an advantage. It's a good idea to get a fresh setup of your bass after installing, as tension will be reduced. The only other strings in the same quality tier (since Dlugolecki quit) are from Aquila AFAIK. Just be advised that they take a LONG time to stretch and stabilize fully.



I agree regarding the Oliv E and A... and really, wire-wrapped lowers are so much better. But why do you mention Evahs?
Click to expand...

i only mention evah since this is talkbass and someone will sooner or later tell me to try evah E/A and oliv D /G.

is varnish in general a better string response? does it compromise the pizz sound for jazz, or is it an all-around upgrade?

thank you for all the info!

may order gamut for my viol as well... but, again, not sure which set is which and what means what ;)
 
#10
groooooove said:
is varnish in general a better string response? does it compromise the pizz sound for jazz, or is it an all-around upgrade?
Click to expand...

It "smooths" the arco sound a bit and probably prevents provides a little more protection from "loose strands" of gut - although that's never been a problem for me with any guts.
 
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#12
Gamut are incredible gut strings. They are great to bow. Plain gut is a world away from wrapped gut though. It takes a really specific set-up and is a general PITA.

Genssler's Helix strings are the best hybrid string I've ever used. I don't think he makes wrapped gut strings anymore. I'm not sure he is still making the rainworm strings but they are really close to wrapped gut. I'm not sure I could tell the difference.

The Tempera strings work for you why not stay with them?
 
#13
I'll caveat this with the fact that I have basically zero gut experience on bass (I did study bass viol for a semester, but that's roughly in the cello register), but what are you looking for? Are you looking for something like a Eudoxa or Oliv that has a gut core with a flatwound metal wrapping, or are you looking for something more traditional, like Gamuts or Chordas, with plain gut D and G (and sometimes A) strings and roundwound gut core E and A strings? Plain gut and roundwound gut core strings are a whole different ball of wax compared to Eudoxas or Olivs (one isn't necessarily better than the other, they're just different).
 
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#14
crd said:
The Tempera strings work for you why not stay with them?
Click to expand...

because i'm a crazy person ;)

i could definitely play on these tempera strings forever. they're lovely, really. if my gut search fails i'd definitely come back to/stay with tempera hybrids. they certainly out-perform spirocore or evah pirazzi in every measurable way for my use.

but, one can't help but keep looking for the next thing. I just really love the rich vibrant sound (especially, and specifically, bozo paradzik) folks get with gut core strings. I've enjoyed the gut strings on my viol as well. I love that they really don't loose any richness with time - they always sound more or less brand new (B.P. is playing on 15 year old gut strings that 'still sound new').

the_Ryan said:
but what are you looking for? Are you looking for something like a Eudoxa or Oliv that has a gut core with a flatwound metal wrapping, or are you looking for something more traditional, like Gamuts or Chordas, with plain gut D and G (and sometimes A) strings and roundwound gut core E and A strings? Plain gut and roundwound gut core strings are a whole different ball of wax compared to Eudoxas or Olivs (one isn't necessarily better than the other, they're just different).
Click to expand...

it's hard to say because really this thread is about looking for what is available. The ideal string would likely be wrapped gut. But, if plain D and G are responsive under the bow enough for 'regular' (not baroque specific) orchestral playing, i'd try them.

I do know i want low tension. the lower the better it seems...

that being said, i wonder if varnished gamut will work for me? will look into it more today.

thanks for all the helpful responses so far!

edit- can anyone comment on the tension of gamuts? are they lower than eudoxa, for example?
 

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