Double Bass Newbie Question: If I replace one string with a different type of string, should I replace them all?

[Kkarpan]

I'm in the market for a new A string on my upright (it's been sounding fuzzy and the pitch wavers almost an entire half-step with a fairly consistent bow stroke), and I've been looking at different types of strings. I can't afford to replace all the strings, so is my only option to replace it with the strings that are already on my bass?

Speaking of which, I'm not exactly sure what strings are currently on it (I've only had the bass for ~6 months). If someone can tell me what strings I've got, that would be great. The wrapping on the bottom is yellow for about an inch, then blue with a yellow string spiraled around it, then back to yellow. If it's impossible to tell this way, I'll be sure to email the luthier I bought it from.

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Sorry if this has been asked before; I did a search and it didn't turn up what I was looking for.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

I'm in the market for a new A string on my upright (it's been sounding fuzzy and the pitch wavers almost an entire half-step with a fairly consistent bow stroke), and I've been looking at different types of strings. I can't afford to replace all the strings, so is my only option to replace it with the strings that are already on my bass?

Speaking of which, I'm not exactly sure what strings are currently on it (I've only had the bass for ~6 months). If someone can tell me what strings I've got, that would be great. The wrapping on the bottom is yellow for about an inch, then blue with a yellow string spiraled around it, then back to yellow. If it's impossible to tell this way, I'll be sure to email the luthier I bought it from.

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Sorry if this has been asked before; I did a search and it didn't turn up what I was looking for.

That could be a Pirastro Permanent or more likely a D'Addario Helicore Orchestral string. What colour is the string in the pegbox?

You don't necessarily have to replace it with the same thing - lots of bass players have G & D strings of one kind over E & A strings of another.

 

[SVT4001]

That could be a Pirastro Permanent or more likely a D'Addario Helicore Orchestral string. What colour is the string in the pegbox?

You don't necessarily have to replace it with the same thing - lots of bass players have G & D strings of one kind over E & A strings of another.

Concur. If cost is an issue, changing out the A only shouldn't cause you any problems.

Do check with your luthier though. The string could be defective, and they may replace it for you.

Joe

 

[Kkarpan]

That could be a Pirastro Permanent or more likely a D'Addario Helicore Orchestral string. What colour is the string in the pegbox?

Thanks for the responses! In the pegbox, the E string is green, A is blue, D is yellow, and G red.

Furthermore, I will definitely be checking with my luthier about it. Thanks Joe and Jake!

 

[Jay Corwin]

Mixed sets are fairly common. That's why you see a lot of us selling singles in the classified....because we just have to try the next thing!

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Have a look at the ball ends of the string. Do they all look the same?
Does it look like a steel core at the ball or might it be rather synthetic (and a bit thicker)?

I have an third idea for a string (old silk colours of Innovation Braided), but the spiral on
the tailpiece silk does confuse me a bit, since there is no spiral on the Braided, just a dark
blue part then yellow and then dark blue again..

Here are the peg box colours for the three string sets:

Helicore Orchestra (brass disc or short cylinder ball end, steel core)
Tailpiece: dark blue silk with yellow ends and spiral
G: red
D: yellow
A: black
E: green
Downtuned Solo Tuning strings have totally different colours.

Pirastro Permanent (probably silver coloured short cylinder ball end, steel core)
Tailpiece: yellow silk with light blue ends and spiral
G: brown
D: red
A: black
E: (dark) green
Downtuned Solo Tuning strings have totally different colours.

Innovation Braided (4-5mm diameter brass rods, synthetic core)
Tailpiece: dark blue - yellow - dark blue
G: red
D: yellow
A: (light) blue
E: (light) green
A few years ago they changed the silks for the braided to black for all Braided strings at tailpiece and pegbox.

I would think either D'Addario Helicore Orchestra or Innovation Braided.
Is the A black or light blue? is the ball end a disc/cylinder or a rod?

 

[thatoneguy9013]

I would replace all of them for a more consistant tone, but it is by no means neccisary

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Thanks for the responses! In the pegbox, the E string is green, A is blue, D is yellow, and G red.

Furthermore, I will definitely be checking with my luthier about it. Thanks Joe and Jake!

That's a D'Addario Helicore Orchestral string. Not very expensive to replace.

 

[MikeCanada]

If the strings are relatively old/played in, then replacing just one of them could mean you have a bit of a timbre change between strings for a while when the new-string-zing is still there. After playing it in for a while that should even out. If you like the strings then sticking with the Helicores and just replacing the A string is an option. If the strings are old and you find a big contrast between the new A string and the old E and D, then replacing the E string as well would still be less expensive than a full set while eliminating that problem.

There are exceptions to every "rule" but many basses benefit from a brighter string on the bottom, and the aforementioned new-string-zing on the A and E would be far less out of place than if it was just a single string.

 

[iiipopes]

There are exceptions to every "rule" but many basses benefit from a brighter string on the bottom, and the aforementioned new-string-zing on the A and E would be far less out of place than if it was just a single string.

A Spiro E string, and there are about seven different models to choose from, goes with just about anything.