Double Bass I need some string suggestions.

[jmbstudios]

I recently picked up a 1960 Kay C-1. My last Kay was a 1934 (C-1 maybe). I sold it a couple of years after I stopped gigging with a rockabilly band..i was young and stupid. I had steel strings on it and built my own pickup system.

Fast forward and I have the new (to me) kay..older and a bit wiser. I want to cover a wide variety of tunes. Rockabilly to classic rock tunes. Might be a bit weird but when we do acoustic shows (seldomly) it would be cool to have the upright.

So, I will not be using a bow. I would like a string that is easy on my hands(low tension) , projects very well and will not break the bank (100 - 200)

Not sure if low tension and projects very well go together....

The bass isn't going to get used a ton and will most likely be for family jams.

Is that enough info? Anything I am missing, let me know.

Thank you in advance for your kindness.

 

[SVT4001]

Eurosonic A, D and G, and a Spiro weich E. They're low tension, should project well, they'll sound great on a Kay for your application(s) and they're affordable- especially if you take your time and try to find some used.

Joe

 

[jmbstudios]

Any certain guage? Lights, mediums?

 

[SVT4001]

Oops! Sorry about that! Light gauge for the Eurosonics. I bought a Shen SB80 that was strung with that setup and I loved everything about them except for their arco response- Spiros bow okay, but the Eurosonics are...shall we say, "challenging"!

Since you don't plan to bow I think you'll dig 'em! Very "gut-like" imho, but very pitch stable.

I have since restrung that bass with Gamut guts- expensive, but worth every penny for me- I need to be able to play arco!

Joe

 

[jmbstudios]

Ok. I will look into those. Thanks
And yes. I will not be using a bow.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Innovation Silver Slaps (low tension) or Super Silvers (medium low tension) are another option.

The Eurosonic/Presto Nylonwound have a steel core, the Innovation strings a synthetic core. The Silver Slaps have a tension that is about (a bit lower tension) gut strings (like Efrano medium guts).

 

[Walter Areia]

My vote goes to Eurosonic Ultralight!

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Spiro Weichs. Somebody here just grabbed a barely-used set for $35. Throw them on there and don't bother thinking about strings ever again.

 

[Sam Dingle]

If you don't wanna think about strings ever again just get thomastic spirocores. Get the weich set and (so I've heard) if the E is a little week put the orchestra gauge E on.

 

[Walter Areia]

Eurosonic A, D and G, and a Spiro weich E. They're low tension, should project well, they'll sound great on a Kay for your application(s) and they're affordable- especially if you take your time and try to find some used.

Joe

I totally agree with Eurosonics, I've been using Ultralights, and works perfect for me, even the "E" string.

 

[Holdsg]

Restrung my Eastman last night with Eurosonics, I play bluegrass. So far, so good. Like the brightness and strong fundamental, we'll see if that lasts.

 

[iiipopes]

Remember there are at least five different Spiro "E" strings that can be matched, and seven if you count the two solo sets tuned down, and eight if you bump a stark A string. Make sure you define which one.

What most people refer to is the S39W E string out of the 4/4 S42W set, but that is not always the case. I prefer the 3885.5W E string out of the 3/4 3885W set, but then again, I'm balancing against Bel Canto A and D, not one of the lighter synthetics. I have a chart somewhere that I have set forth the tension of each of these strings, so a player can match the correct Spiro E string to the rest of the set being used.