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Double Bass New Strings........WOW!!!!

#2
ajaxon said:
Thursday I replaced the strings that came with my bass with a Spiro E and A (mittels) and D and G Obligatos. I absolutely am amazed. I love the growl that the spiros have.

a semi-literate slabbist
Click to expand...

That's an interesting mix and one I played yesterday at Upton's shop. It's a blend that's one of Gary's favorites. For me, it just doesn't work because I find the Oblis a bit too weak. I went with a full set of Evahs. Interestingly, there was an experienced BG and EUB player there picking up a brand new Professor with the Spiro/Obli blend. When he heard the Evahs on my bass and then played a set of Evahs on another Professor, he said, "I want that!"

Of course, this all depends on your style of play, yor preferences, and your bass. I don't mean to rain on your parade. That string mix you have is a real winner. Just food for thought. :)
 
#5
When I first tried out EPs (more than a year ago), I went string by string. With a Spiro Mittel E and A and EP D and G I thought that the bass sounded pretty darn good. There was a tiny bit of tension difference, but it seemed negligible. The main thing, to my ear, was what seemed to be a drop off in mids on the lower 2 strings and a strong fundamental on the top 2. Imagine the bottom 2 strings kind of "mwahing" all day and the top 2 smacking you in the chest with fundamental alot more quickly. Volume-wise the set worked for a while, but particularly in the studio I could really hear the difference between the 2 string brands on my bass. . . Hope this helps.
 
#6
pdbass said:
There was a tiny bit of tension difference, but it seemed negligible.
Click to expand...

In which direction? Did the Spiros or the Evahs feel like they had more tension to you? I ask because, coming from the Doms, the Evahs feel stiffer and I wondered how stiff Spiros would have felt in comparison.
 
#8
I'm using the stark E & A with the Obli D & G.

Best mix so far for my bass...but I might scoot back to Mittels at some point for comparison.

Now, just waiting to see how much life I can squeeze out of the Obli's. I think they've been on for well over a year now and they still sound and feel pretty good considering how hard I thwack 'um.
 
#9
I am still using the Obli D+G and Mittel E+A on my Juzek. The Mittels are a bit stiffer than the D + G but work much better than the Obli E + A on my bass, which felt very very loose. I would like to try the Weich A to see if it makes for a better tension "transition" to the Mittel E. The Weich E is definitely to small for me.

All in all, the combination is a very good "all around" jazz set...and gives you that improved arco response on the upper strings.
 
#11
Wilbyman said:
I am still using the Obli D+G and Mittel E+A on my Juzek.

All in all, the combination is a very good "all around" jazz set...and gives you that improved arco response on the upper strings.
Click to expand...

I used this combo for a couple of years on my Juzek, too, and liked it a lot. Went from there to Evahs which I liked for a while but got tired of the tension, went to weichs for a bit and now I've got Compas 180 Suits on it. They are nice strings, loose and comfortable to play, bow well and sound a bit more old school.

These are all good strings, folks! :)
 

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