• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass LOW F# - what strings?

J

Jagdmusik

Sep 2, 2006
56
2
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
www.myspace.com
#1
I'm fixin' to to get myself a 5-string Ergo EUB, planning to tune it way down to F#-B-E-A-D for uber-bottom-dwelling underneath a group also containing bass guitar and/or low keyboard playing.

I plan to both pluck and bow. This will not be traditional music, so I don't need to pull off genuine classic jazz or arco tones or whatever; but I want it to sound good, defined with some bite if possible, not boomy or totally tubbed-out. I'm primarily a bass guitarist and have minimal upright experience, so I don't need it to feel "normal" for an upright or good for fancy lines; but I want it to be playable.

What kind of strings would be best for me? Are there any sets available that are intended to be tuned as low as I'm going?

Jesse at Ergo recommended simply detuning a steel B-E-A-D-G set. I'm a bit suspicious of that, coming as I am from bass guitars with their puny scale length, but I can see how it's feasible given the Ergo's 42". If I were to use this approach, I'd be inclined to use the most brutally high-tensioned BEADG 3/4 set in existence. Who makes that? Also, might 1/2-scale strings have higher tension? Would they be long enough to fit?
 
#2
I would say that Thomastik Spirocore Starks might be your best bet. They are very high tension and have the definition and bite you are looking for. Whether or not they would retain that definition and bite when tuned down that far is a question that I can't answer. I'm not sure I could even hear that low F# anyway! Good luck.
 
#4
One night in Ye Olde Bass Rume at U of Toronto, me and my drunken friend tuned my low-C string as far down as it could go and still vibrate back and forth with a bow.

By playing one of the higher harmonics, we concluded it was a low-F (4 semitones lower than the lowest A on a piano, then again, maybe it was the octave below that).

All you could hear was the put-put-put of the string going back and forth. It kind of reminded us of a small motorboat engine.

If you're interested in low instruments, try this website:
www.contrabass.com/
 
#5
Thomastik has a custom shop. I would suggest contacting them directly. Perhaps they would wind one for you.

If they are willing to make it, it will be ridiculously expensive, but the upside is that it will last a long time. I think I our own Paul W. has used the same B string on his fiver since the Vietnam era.
 
#7
Yep - he has a BG strung low C# (yes!!) - F# - B - E.

That bottom string is a sharpened fifth below the lowest note on a piano! But when you listen to his recordings, it actually seems to work. Obviously it's felt as much as it's heard...
 
#11
Hrm. Seems I posted this thread to something other than the Strings forum. Apologies to the moderator.

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I've asked Jesse to set me up with some Starks. I figure I'll give detuning a try before I get into custom strings.

Just to make sure: there shouldn't be any problem with the fact that using the Starks would mean 4/4 strings on a 42" scale... right?
 
#13
I've been toying with this idea too for my NS, and I thought that a roundwound construction might be the easiest to get that thick and that long.

Jauqo- any thoughts on getting a 42" roundwound Low F made? by whom?
 
#14
coyoteboy said:
Jauqo- any thoughts on getting a 42" roundwound Low F made? by whom?
Click to expand...

Your best approach would be to contact one of the smaller URB string companies,they might be willing to give it a try or you can just experiment with various gauges from one of the bigger established companies,but it really is a tough call.
 
#15
coyoteboy said:
I've been toying with this idea too for my NS, and I thought that a roundwound construction might be the easiest to get that thick and that long.

Jauqo- any thoughts on getting a 42" roundwound Low F made? by whom?
Click to expand...



The stock NS B string is fairly stiff on my CR5M, though I would expect a TI Stark B string to much stiffer.

You might be able to get away with de-tuning a stark B.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back