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Double Bass My string journey documented (to be Continued)
- Thread starter Sam Dingle
- Start date
Seriously though...
I've used Superflexibles before and they are decent strings. The pizz was bright and clear with good volume and sustain. They lacked the growl of Spirocores, but the arco was smoother in my experience. These strings used to be recommended as a good crossover choice and John Clayton used them before switching to Pirastro. The huge D string actually didn't bother me until someone pointed it out.
- Steve
I've used Superflexibles before and they are decent strings. The pizz was bright and clear with good volume and sustain. They lacked the growl of Spirocores, but the arco was smoother in my experience. These strings used to be recommended as a good crossover choice and John Clayton used them before switching to Pirastro. The huge D string actually didn't bother me until someone pointed it out.
- Steve
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I'm fighting off temptation to change things. I played tonight and did a recording out in front of the bass. The action went down due to weather and the bass sounded super thing and zingy. Blah. I just couldn't get a warm sounding, full note at all. This was all acoustic too. Didn't sound as bad next to the bass ad the recording. The recording sounds horrible. More to mess with...
Also I gotta work on my e string pizz lol
Also I gotta work on my e string pizz lol
I gotta work on my E string pizz too...doesn't help when you have a dead Helicore occupying the spot.
Hi guys!
I just changed my strings from Superflexibles to Spiro lights. Good god! Superflexibles are so dead compared to Spiros. So thankful for this thread, I made the move! Cheers
I just changed my strings from Superflexibles to Spiro lights. Good god! Superflexibles are so dead compared to Spiros. So thankful for this thread, I made the move! Cheers
Just an update. I took off a dominant D and G in February. Its been 95% spiro mediums since then. I threw on a set of superflexibles seen a few posts ago and they didn't last very long and I kept saying "should just stick to spiros". 2 weeks ago I panicked and threw on some evah mediums because I got a call to play Cinderella which is an all arco show. Threw those on instead of a bel canto set I have because I needed to play a few jazz gigs too. Ended up not working out on cinderella so back to spiros. Happy to be working on them cuz it was actually weird learning how to bow the evahs over the spiros.
I did change out the E string for a brand new one. Getting my plywood setup the luiter suggested getting a spiro medium on there so I bought a new one, threw the old one on the ply and the new on on the carved. It sounds awesome and I actually like the fresh E. But following chris's advice of sticking with a set and learning has been a real help. Why did I ever change strings before...
I did change out the E string for a brand new one. Getting my plywood setup the luiter suggested getting a spiro medium on there so I bought a new one, threw the old one on the ply and the new on on the carved. It sounds awesome and I actually like the fresh E. But following chris's advice of sticking with a set and learning has been a real help. Why did I ever change strings before...
Because Spirocores are not the be-all, end-all of double bass strings!
Whatever works for your bass and the sound in your head. I've got 2 basses - Spiros sound terrific on one, sound awful on the other.
Spiro Weichs on the way..let the grand experiment begin! Was originally going to get mittel but really want ease of play due to my limited practice schedule. My stamina ain't what it used to be.
Long post warning:
I have changed the D and G spiros to what might be the true compromise hybrid set I've had on my bass. I'm playing Spiro Mittle E/A with Belcanto D/G. Very nice setup. To be noted though, I will be going back to the Spiro D and G in about a week or so when this arco gig is over. I got the call to play in the bass section with the Louisiana Philharmonic this weekend when they play for the opera in town. Its super exciting and I'm looking forward to it (and shedding like crazy!!!) I don't consider myself a classical bassist but i'm excited for the opportunity.
The bel canto D and G are about 40% better for arco and 20% worse for pizz. I do kind of like the air they put out and surprisingly they have good sustain pizz. I was the house bass for a jam session last night and i was overall happy with the response. The D string got a little muddled in the louder sections but other than that it was workable. Arco the transition from D to A is flawless. I wound't guess they are a different set. I have them on only for the next week, I would keep this set full time if I had more weeks like this (Orchestra practice tomorrow 10-1 and 7-11, performance friday 8:00. saturday night straight ahead jazz gig, sunday morning jazz brunch, orchestra gig 2:00, jazz vocalist gig 6:30).
If you are looking for a hybrid set I personally like this more than the evah medium/light. My spiros are about a year old and the belcantos had 4 months on them before I got them. They blend well.
I have changed the D and G spiros to what might be the true compromise hybrid set I've had on my bass. I'm playing Spiro Mittle E/A with Belcanto D/G. Very nice setup. To be noted though, I will be going back to the Spiro D and G in about a week or so when this arco gig is over. I got the call to play in the bass section with the Louisiana Philharmonic this weekend when they play for the opera in town. Its super exciting and I'm looking forward to it (and shedding like crazy!!!) I don't consider myself a classical bassist but i'm excited for the opportunity.
The bel canto D and G are about 40% better for arco and 20% worse for pizz. I do kind of like the air they put out and surprisingly they have good sustain pizz. I was the house bass for a jam session last night and i was overall happy with the response. The D string got a little muddled in the louder sections but other than that it was workable. Arco the transition from D to A is flawless. I wound't guess they are a different set. I have them on only for the next week, I would keep this set full time if I had more weeks like this (Orchestra practice tomorrow 10-1 and 7-11, performance friday 8:00. saturday night straight ahead jazz gig, sunday morning jazz brunch, orchestra gig 2:00, jazz vocalist gig 6:30).
If you are looking for a hybrid set I personally like this more than the evah medium/light. My spiros are about a year old and the belcantos had 4 months on them before I got them. They blend well.
IMHO the only time I’ve ever been even remotely content with a mixed set was when mixing with plain gut. Plain gut inherently kind of requires mixing though, be it with wrapped gut or another kind wrapped bottom for the E and usually the A.
I use mix gut d and g with evah lights e and a. Its a nice mix for me at least for now.
Don’t forget Flexocor Deluxe on top of Spiros. More interesting and more versatile than BCs in my opinion.
For those who are concerned about their reputation as a tight string (for pizz), it’s the whole set that can be tight (on some basses) — the top two are fine.
