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Double Bass Need 5-string Low B string sets or options..

bassfacer22

bassfacer22

Sep 3, 2011
1,709
445
North America NorthEast area..
#1
I am in the process of buying a EUB but 5 string.

I would like any experiences of those Who've used or know anything on low B strings on upright and who makes good sets of them.. I currently use thonastik spirocore weichs..

I know and already bought a low B in medium gauge as I guess that's all spirocore makes for the low B string.. To my knowledge

I'm thinking more for Jazz setting but I'd like to use the bow more often than not..

Thanks
 
#2
I'm a classical player with a 5 string. I use a Spirocore low B and highly recommend it. However, if that's not what you're looking for, a lot of people will also use Permanents, and Superflexibles also make the occasional appearance.

I personally err on the bright side for my low strings for clarity reasons.
 
#5
bassfacer22 said:
I already got an order of the thomastik B string.. It appears they only have 1 low B string for all.. A one size fits all B string I guess ha
Click to expand...
There are 4/4 Spirocore medium and heavy low B strings, and also light and medium low C strings, that could be used as B strings. There is also a low C# solo tuning string, that you can use as a B string (wich I did for a while and like a lot). And there are also the 3/4 versions of some of these strings.
Definetly many options and not one size fits all.
 
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#6
Well thank you but I mean they don't make a 5 string set of spirocore weichs..

Apparently I have to only buy the 4 string set and then purchase a "medium tension" only Low B string

So the closest thing to get to be together with the spirocore weich 4-string set is just the separate low-B spirocore medium..


I do like your idea about using solo tuned down.. I forgot about that and maybe that might suite the gauge of the spirocore weich set..

Though apparently the medium gauge low-B string isn't that thick anyway from what I've heard
 
#7
For a Spirocore Weich low B you can use a Spirocore Mittel low C from the same string length family (4/4: S40 or 3/4: 3886,6).

The downtuned Solo C# would have less tension than the Weich E from the same string length family. Going from Mittel to Weich is one step, going from Mittel to downtuned Solos is two steps.

S39W (E): 31.0 Kg
S40 (on B): 31.2 Kg (low C string detuned to B)

3886,4W (E): 30.0 Kg
3886,6 (on B): 29.4 Kg (low C string detuned to B)

The Mittel sound might be a bit brighter than the Weich, but that might be good for a lower string.
 
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#10
KUNGfuSHERIFF said:
What do you mean they don't make a five-string set of Spiro Weichs? I have a five-string set of Spiro Weichs on my EUB.
Click to expand...
There is no Spiro Weich low B in the printed Thomastik string catalog. Neither 4/4 nor 3/4.
That doesn't mean that they won't make such a string, I have a Spiro Weich high C myself that is not in the string catalog, but you would only get it by direct order from Thomastik.
 
#12
KUNGfuSHERIFF said:
They must have been discontinued at some point, then?
Click to expand...
Probably. Maybe you haven't been the only one who found this string too floppy...

I have an old Pirastro high C Flexocore (before they changed it, so it would be called Original nowadays) that is no longer in their catalog as Original Flexocore. But I'm sure, if I would ask them for a new one, they would make it.
Probably the same with Thomastik as long as they have the material to make it.
 
#13
Thomastik makes pretty much every variation of the Spirocore that you can imagine.

The following Spirocore Low B and C strings all have stock numbers and are pretty readily available:

For 4/4 or 3/4
S41 Spirocore Bass Low B
S41ST Spirocore Bass Low B Stark
S40 Spirocore Bass Low C
S40W Spirocore Bass Low C Weich
S40S Spirocore Bass V Solo (C#)

3/4 Specific
3885.7 Spirocore Bass Low B (3/4)
3885.6 Spirocore Bass Low C (3/4)
3885.6W Spirocore Bass Low C Weich (3/4)
3886.5 Spirocore Bass V Solo 3/4 (Low C)

From 5ths tuning sets
3985.5 Spirocore Red Mitchell Bass IV (C, 5th-tuning 3/4 size)
3986.5 Spirocore Red Mitchell Bass IV 4/4 (C)
3986.5W Spirocore Red Mitchell Bass IV 4/4 Weich (C)
3985.5W Spirocore Red Mitchell Bass IV Weich (C)
 
#14
OK, I'm a 5 string player who started out using Thomastik strings. However, I moved over to the Innovation strings several years ago. Well, I recently got a great deal on a fully carved 4 string Karr bass and a couple of weeks ago I strung it with the Innovation Rock-a-Billy black nylon set. I was amazed with the volume and great tone I got with these strings! After doing a little unsuccessful research, my question is, does anyone make a 5 string set similar to the Innovation black nylon string set (with a lo B)?
 
#15
There is a low B for the Innovation Braided Set. Not nylon wound, but metal wound, but with the same core as the Rockabillys. Probably a bit more tension.
An alternative would be the Obligato, but the A and E (no idea about the low B) may roll more than you would like.
I'm not sure, but the SuperSensitive Sensicore (if they have a lob B at all) might be lowest tension with a synthetic core (except downtuned solo strings, but they often don't have a low C# string).
Maybe Evah Pirazzi Solo strings have a low C#.
 

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