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Double Bass New string blues

Selim

Selim

Supporting Member
Jun 2, 2008
2,078
2,072
New York City
#1
Long ago, I played double bass. Then one day the devil kicked me, and for no particular reason, I went out and bought an electric bass. Me, who considered himself a purist. Didn't play the acoustic for years. Then I came back to it. Back in the day, I used Thomastik Superflexibles (or "ropecores", as we called them). Since I've "come back", string technology has really developed. I embraced the gut-emulating strings (Obli, Evah Pirazzi reg and weich). The EPs especially gave my somewhat bright, no-name 20th c. German/Czech gamba bass a lovely, burnished quality.

The devil kicked me again, and I thought I'd explore the past by putting on a new set of medium Superflexibles.

The question is: how long do I have to wait before they settle in/down? I want to run back to the EP Weichs. Should I wait? I heard that the synthetic core strings do not appreciate being taken off and on the bass. Will the EPs spite me, if and when I put them back on, by falling down flat?

All you ropecore people out there - please give me some reassuring tones. Or you EP folks tell me I made a mistake.

Strings ain't cheap.
 
#3
I've been using Superflexibles on one bass and EP Regulars on the other.

Although I do still like EP's for many reasons, I'm really into the SF's lately. The SF's WILL settle down and mellow out w/ some playing time on them.

I find that the arco is grabby and the pizz, after break in period, has a mellow warmth to the sound w/ ample cut and power at the same time. In a room w/ good acoustics the sound blossoms and radiates outward from the instrument in a really nice way.

I do also like the EP's, they can sound mellow and warm in a different way. Perhaps the arco is a tad better than the SF's, but I'm not so into the stretchy characteristics of their plastic core. For this reason they take a bit to stabilize when you put them back on the bass. BTW-other than this I've had no problem w/ taking them on and off. They felt great on my Prescott, but were a bit too dark in some situations for that already dark sounding bass. I put them on my c. 1920's German carved shop bass and have been happy with them for a couple of years on this back up instrument, but lately they've been feeling a bit stiffer than I remember and although they're still fine I think they are reaching the end of their usefulness for me. I like strings on the fresher side. I think I'm gonna put SF's on the german bass as well. I have wondered about the EP Weichs, however. I've read great things about them here on TB.

I say give the SF's a chance. They have the power and cut of Spiros, but also the mellowness, warmth and bow-ability of arco strings. Best of all worlds if you are playing in many varied musical situations ...hey, and they are a lot less $$ than EP's or most other strings w/ talk about here.

IMO,FWIW since they're all steel they do LOUD thru the amp better than the EP's.

Good Luck, BG
 
#4
Thanks, bribass. The SFs are in fact getting better every day (that and I'm probably getting used to the radical change of string sound). They have a power and clarity about them that I remember from when I last used them (many moons ago). I think they're an underrated string and the comfortable price tag makes them a kind of giant killer.

And thanks drurb - there is something very special about Evah Pirazzis. I think I can "hear" musically better with them. I'm certainly not going to throw them away - they'll be there when I miss that soulful, burnishing sound.

Maybe what I need is a 2nd bass . . . .
 
#7
drurb said:
Bingo! We have a service here at TB where we write letters in support of this to the significant others of players. :D
Click to expand...

Damn, how did I miss this! Any chance of convincing Mrs. de Villiers that we need an eighth bass or even a sixth vintage Martin? A wartime J-45? Fellas? Huh? :help:
 

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