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Double Bass Newby needs help in finding the right strings

dezspet

dezspet

Mar 21, 2007
249
3
Hungary
www.thecairoproject.com
#1
I have been playing DB for almost a year (been playing EBS and cello for a long time though), I have received my first instrument made by a luthier a month ago.
I have asked for Helicore medium pizzicato strings on it, since I want to play jazz. Now it seems to be a bad decision. First at all I need to practice a lot with the bow in order to establish solid intonation and open up the sound of the new instrument. But the worse thing is that these string with the current setup seem to be too hard for me. I can hardly practice more than 20 minutes, these strings feel very slow, though the sound is nice and full, especially E and A strings.
So my question is: should I force myself to practice with these heavy setup and strings or should I buy another strings? Than what would you recommend to me?
BTW I have adjustable bridge, so I can make the setup lighter, but than the sound is like a fretless bass which I really don't like. I am aiming the classic Ray Brown or Ron Carter tone on my instrument with relatively higher action; not something like Eddie Gomez or Stanley Clark have. So, can you give me a good tip for another string?
Thanks,
Peter
 
#3
The Corelli 370 strings are light gauge and easy to play, great for arco and a good, not-too bright pizz tone. Pirastro's Obligato and Evah Pirazzi strings both have more of that sound you're looking for and also bow well. They have a synthetic core. Of all the Helicores, I think the Orchestra mediums are best, they are somewhat heavy feeling though. Thomastik Spirocore Weich (as Uncletoad suggested) might be a good choice. From Thomastik I prefer Superflexibles because they are a little darker sounding and easier to bow, but they are fairly heavy. The Velvet Animas are very nice stings, low-tension, old-school tone. They aren't the best for arco and they're expensive.

Good luck!
 
#5
+1 on the Spirocore Weichs - a great place to start, for jazz with high strings. I had one set on for about 5 years of steady practicing and gigging. They do much well, both arco and pizz.

Of course, actual mileage may vary with driving habits...how they work for you may have much to do with your string length and the mysteries of your particular bass. They were, for me, great starting place...
 
#8
If you've been at it for a year, then you should really try these:


Corelli Forte


Eurosonic


Flexocore


Flexocore vs. Original Flexocore


Heliocore


Jargar


Kolstein Heritage


LaBella Black Tape-Wound


Obligato


Obligato


Obligato vs. Innovation


Obligato Windings


Oliv


Pirastro Chorda


Spirocore Solos Tuned-Down to Orchestra Pitch


Spirocore Stark


Spirocore vs. Pirastro


Thomastic Dominant



Thomastic Dominant


Thomastik Superflexibles


Thomastic-Infeld Specs, etc.


Velvet Garbos


Velvet vs. Spirocore

_
 
#15
"Spirocore!
Sensicore!
Gut! Gut! Gut!

Velvet!
Presto!
Rah! Rah! Rah!

Weich, stark, solo!
Extra Forte, dolce!
Mittel! Mittel!
Hooray!"


ROTFLMAO!! Its Troika's theme song. :)

Somebody needs to get together at the next TalkBass Hang and chant this on video for YouTube or something.
 
#17
I would suggest a nice set of arco strings. At this stage, you should focus on intonation and technique with the bow rather than thinking about pizz tone. So, you should get strings that are the easiest to bow. Although some people have no problem bowing spirocores, they are generally harder to bow. Some strings bow well, while still having a decent pizz tone.

If you want something that bows well and are easy on you left hand, try Corelli's(never tried them) or obligatos(didn't like em too much. Too floppy for me. I like some tension)

There are so many options... hence the humor... otherwise we go crazy... :crying:
 
#18
dezspet said:
Thanks for all the tips and humour :D
Thomastik I know very well from my cello years. But when you are talking about Spirocore Weich, you mean Spirocore Solo Soft?
Cheers,
Peter
Click to expand...
No, Spirocore Weich, not Solo, those are REALLY light.

Invalid Link Removed

Spirocore Weich and Mittel are the industry standard jazz strings. Most jazz players these days try lots of other things as they continue playing bass but since they came out 40+ years ago Spirocores have become the reference standard. I recommend everyone who plays Jazz spend at least 6 months with a set of spirocores so they know what that baseline is.

Many never use anything else.

Many hate them and never go back.

May as well do you time now.

Oh yes and to play jazz properly one must go to Waffle House and order a Pecan Waffle with a side of Eggs, toast, grits and hash browns scattered, smothered covered spanked and pistol whipped.

Only after 3 sets and 2am.
 
#19
jisbass said:
If you want something that bows well and are easy on you left hand, try Corelli's(never tried them) or obligatos(didn't like em too much. Too floppy for me. I like some tension)
Click to expand...


Having used the above options, I found the Weichs to bow better than either the Corelli's or Obligatos and to produce a better fundamental tone, both bow and pizz. More of the middle-of-the-road experience. Warmer/fuller than the Corellis and clearer/more defined than the Obligatos. Plus, they do last forever. I think a set was found in one of the Pyramids of Egypt, and they were still playable :)

I also started on 'cello as a kid and was always able to get a clear, singing arco tone with the Weichs.

For starters, the Weichs (not the solo tuning set) really are a great middle of the road experience. So are Pecans and whipped cream in the early morning. Perhaps there could be some sort of package deal...
 

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