I'm surprised that I don't see people post about loud A strings on Double Basses. I've been shopping around for a new bass and i'm surprised how often the A string resonates too loud especially on A, but even Bb and B. I found a couple of gems that just have obnoxious A strings that make the E sound weak. I mean basses have notes that resonate too much but its seems like 20% of basses have an obnoxious A string. So frustrating...... I don't think high tension E strings, fingerboard dressing, Bridge and nut cuts, sound post, bass bar, or even age can change it. I've heard especially with cellos, that sometime the neck wasn't set properly, and after an accident and neck replacement it actually sounds better. Not that I think a new neck is a gamble anyone should take, it's just too big of a financial gamble. I've never heard about it specifically affecting loud strings either. Just wondering what other people thought on this are on loud A strings. Thanks
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Double Bass Loud A String on Double Basses
- Thread starter Nybasslife
- Start date
I think it's a symptom of setups trying to help fatten the E string up when the chosen string set has a terrible E, which is almost any complete set it seems. Yes, the E gets a bit louder but then the A is problematically loud. Just a complete conjecture from my similar experiences.
On my bass the A string at times does seem somewhat louder than the other three strings. For me it does not affect the overall sound or playabilty of the instrument. Because of a bad wolf tone on the A string I have at times put a wolf tone eliminator on that string. It did not help with the wolf tone that much but it did bring the volume of the A string down a bit. I use Spirocore mittel for the A. I've never tried this but maybe a weich A would bring the volume down somewhat.
If considering Spiro changes, keep in mind that 3/4 Spiros in Weich and Mittel are thicker than the 4/4 Spiro equivalent. 3/4 Solo Spiros might also follow that design.
The point being that if a 3/4 bass is involved there are more Spiro options to consider.
The point being that if a 3/4 bass is involved there are more Spiro options to consider.
Also worth noting, the open D tends to be loudest once you step back into a hall/venue. The A never carries as deep into a space as the D. To some extent you have to trust that your bass sounds better to us than you.
