Double Bass Low Tension Strings for Laminate Bass (SB88)

[Don Hergert]

... I'm sure they bow horribly. ...

The Dirty Guts don't bow as badly as you might think ...

I guess no one believed me, I have been saying this for about 5 years... SBW Deluxe Dirty Guts bow really well -- actually decently -- compared to the other synthetics that I've tried. I suspect the bowing capability (and some of the pizz tone) is a result of the spiral cut for the length of the strings. Worth emphasizing, the SBW DELUXE Dirty Guts are the strings we're talking about -- the standard Dirty Guts are smooth like most wackers and may not bow as well.

Whatever the case, my only problem with Deluxe Dirty Guts -- on my DB -- is that their E and A strings (no matter the gauge from their bump pack) just never sounded clear or loud enough, so that's why I went with SilverSlaps for my E and A. The Deluxe Dirty Gut D and G have always sounded great. That said, I made the "not clear or loud enough" E and A observations before I had changed my sound post, so I may sometime in the future find that they aren't that bad after all, and go back to a full Deluxe Dirty Guts set.

More or less as Quantum Bass Center said, if you can get past the stigma of using strings that cost significantly less than $100, and if you can get past the stigma of strings that are primarily made of gator line, they actually sound, feel, look -- and bow -- like real guts, and rather nicely at that.

 

[crd]

Ed... I've been playing guts full time (plain GDA) for 3 years (orchestra, heavy bowing etc); I lightly oil them with walnut oil at the start of each season and then leave them alone. Pizz players might have more issues, but I don't see maintenance as an issue.

You kind of get what you pay for. I usually get 3 to 5 years out of Gamut's and I play a lot.

 

[bassgrass]

I like the SBW Deluxe set too. I figured they were a low risk purchase, but I really like the sound (the thinnest 4 of the set) and it wasn't until I got to Talkbass that I found out they sucked

 

[bassgrass]

More or less as Quantum Bass Center said, if you can get past the stigma of using strings that cost significantly less than $100, and if you can get past the stigma of strings that are primarily made of gator line, they actually sound, feel, look -- and bow -- like real guts, and rather nicely at that.

I would think the stigma would be almost exclusively online. I rarely encounter other double bassists in the wild. They either have a gig or are playing their own bass.

 

[BKBroiler]

@keating78 are you settling in with the EP Slaps? Any gigs with them? Amplification?

I’ve been very happy with them. Both feel and sound are what I was hoping for and puts a smile on my face every time I play. Have been getting a lot of great feedback from other players too. Had a demo recording session and a bunch of rehearsals with first gig (blues) tomorrow. They amplify well with a Lifeline Realist.

Similar to what has been said by others, they don’t sound as loud from player position, but those in front remark that the volume projects well.

No tuning issues or anything in the Colorado winter this far.

 

[Paps]

I use flexicor low tension, but I'm an all arco player.
Spiracore weichs seem to be well reviewed and have proven to be a good all round string.

 

[Sam Reese]

I’ve been very happy with them. Both feel and sound are what I was hoping for and puts a smile on my face every time I play.

Good to hear. I used them for Spring-Fall gig schedule a while back and had a fun run. It will be interesting to find out if you get "black fingers". Keep us posted

 

[Francois Blais]

This applies only to the G string, which is wrapped with aluminum, though.

 

[Sam Reese]

@Francois Blais have you ever contracted "black fingers" from EP Slaps?

 

[Francois Blais]

No.

 

[BKBroiler]

Reporting back with about 8 months on the strings. Still really enjoying the Evah Slaps for the music and style I'm going for. Love the feel and sound. Here's a video with audio that was recorded with the Evahs on my SB88. Hope you all dig it!

 

[BKBroiler]

Final year end wrap up - I've stayed with these strings and have really enjoyed them. Lots of great compliments from casual listeners and audience members when playing live. There's always curiosity to try something new but these give me the sound and feel I like so on to 2024!