Double Bass Low tension E options for Superior Bassworks set

[bigbasspond]

Title sums it up. I love the SBW dirty guts but the E is a little off to me -no matter what string from the bump set.

Looking for *low-tension* E recommendations ...maybe the A also, but mostly the E is driving me nuts Thanks!

 

[Don Hergert]

I agree about the E and for me the A also sounded that way -- acoustically, low volume and not much clarity. But the D and G sound great acoustically. (In my experience, when amped the whole set sounded great)

But most of my playing is acoustic, so, I use SBW Deluxe Dirty Guts medium D (.105") and G (.095") over Innovation SilverSlaps E and A. As a mixed set, they feel, play and sound like they were made for each other. And yes, the SilverSlaps A is the same gauge as the Dirty Guts medium D (.105").

SilverSlaps E and A have sort of a plastic-growl sound at first, but after a few weeks or so of playing that turns into a nice clean growl.

 

[bigbasspond]

Thanks dhergert... Appreciate your feedback!

Yeah, all my gigs with this particular upright setup are amplified (traditional honky-tonk, roots, folk). For me, amped there's just not enough of a "quick fundamental" on the E...by the time it settles in the sustain/volume is gone. Mushy/unfocused E.

Sounds like I'm in the market for a SilverSlaps E

 

[nealw]

I use a Goldenslap E (same string as the Silver basically). It was kind of "zingy" at first. I rubbed in a little mineral oil and its a very good match now.

 

[AlBass]

SilverSlaps E and A have sort of a plastic-growl sound at first, but after a few weeks or so of playing that turns into a nice clean growl.

So glad I read this. I just replaced the Dirty Guts E with a Golden Slaps E, and the growl is there. I was wondering if it gets tamed after a while, so thank you!

 

[Don Hergert]

It's been confirmed by our GHS / Innovation string rep here that the only difference is that the Golden Slaps have a phosphor-bronze inner wrap and that the SilverSlaps have a silver-plated copper inner wrap, so while the tone might be slightly different between the two string types, it's not going to be a huge difference. So I'd expect that the growl will probably age similarly with both sets. I'd give it a couple of weeks to a month or so of steady playing.

I've got about 3 years on my SilverSlaps / Dirty Guts string mix now and at this point they sound pretty much like a set that was designed to be played together, and the SilverSlaps E and A are still loud and clear with a natural growl when I want it. I'm happy to say there are no signs of wear, too.