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Double Bass NS Design WAV4 megathread part II

#241
a_magg said:
I'm having an insane amount of difficulty putting the set of Obligatos I just bought from Gollihur. There was soo much string on the tuning peg it would pop off. Cut it a little shorter, and BOOM- too short
Click to expand...

Did you put the ball-ends of the strings in the back plate? If so you can also move the ball-ends to the string-holes in the body. This way you've got an extra bit of string and you can try again. The lower windings of the string will just go over the bridge, this isn't a problem.

I found stringing these strings a hassle too as a normal DB method won't work on these tuners. You have to string them as you would on a bass guitar: measure the string against the tuners and cut it off at about 10 to 15 cm extra. I found it difficult to guess the right extra length as the obligato's stretch out quite a bit.

Bend the top end at 2 cm and stick the bended end in the hole in the tuner. When tuned up the string should have done close to 3 windings on the tuning peg.
 
#244
I'd say a Carruthers has about the same string length right? Maybe I'll give this a try whenever I have to change my set, might be a while, because the well worn in sound combines well with the wav. A pity 1/2 strings don't cost 2/3 of the price of a 3/4 set.
 
#245
Matthijs said:
Did you put the ball-ends of the strings in the back plate? If so you can also move the ball-ends to the string-holes in the body. This way you've got an extra bit of string and you can try again. The lower windings of the string will just go over the bridge, this isn't a problem.

I found stringing these strings a hassle too as a normal DB method won't work on these tuners. You have to string them as you would on a bass guitar: measure the string against the tuners and cut it off at about 10 to 15 cm extra. I found it difficult to guess the right extra length as the obligato's stretch out quite a bit.

Bend the top end at 2 cm and stick the bended end in the hole in the tuner. When tuned up the string should have done close to 3 windings on the tuning peg.
Click to expand...


Thanks, I'll keep this in mind. I did have them through the back plate, the windings are too thick to fit inside the tuning peg to follow that standard measure (IMO). Long story short is there isn't enough thin winding to successfully get inside the peg. :crying:
 
#246
Matthijs said:
I'd say a Carruthers has about the same string length right? Maybe I'll give this a try whenever I have to change my set, might be a while, because the well worn in sound combines well with the wav. A pity 1/2 strings don't cost 2/3 of the price of a 3/4 set.
Click to expand...

The Carruthers has a 41.5" scale IIRC.
Like many EUBs, it's the short distance between bridge and tailpiece that gives the problems with string lenghts.
 
#248
a_magg said:
Thanks, I'll keep this in mind. I did have them through the back plate, the windings are too thick to fit inside the tuning peg to follow that standard measure (IMO). Long story short is there isn't enough thin winding to successfully get inside the peg. :crying:
Click to expand...
That's why a lot of us have replaced the tuners. Some people did drill out the tuners for the E and A string. For me this was disastrous though as I tried this with Thomastiks: the pegs broke off.

Wouldn't it be nice if db strings cost the same as bg strings?
 
#252
I put a very well worn set of Obligatos on mine, and they sound good, more upright-like than the Corellis. But cutting them to length and winding them on the pegs was a nightmare. As soon as I cut them they started unravelling badly, especially the E. No way to get the string to stay in the hole in the tuner. Long-nose pliers didn't help. I just stuck each one through the slot and wound it a bunch of times.

The Obligatos sound generally better, but I do miss some of the clarity/definition on the E string. I'm still planning on doing those electronic modifications, I just haven't gotten around to it. Once that happens then other strings might work a little better.
 
#253
I just got a WAV4 used in the BG forum in amberburst. WOW. I really like it and it came with the upgraded stand. No manual, though. is the pizz position on the switch up or down?

Also scored some Flixocore Hybrids and a set of 4 hipshot tuners to eventually make the bass more robust, but I'm really amazed how it sounds right of the fedex truck. I'm running it though a Mesa Walkabout Scout 12 and it is really warm, no doubt in part thanks to the Walkabout's tube pre.
 
#255
mrpackerguy said:
I just got a WAV4 used in the BG forum in amberburst. WOW. I really like it and it came with the upgraded stand. No manual, though. is the pizz position on the switch up or down?
Click to expand...

I have a WAV Double Bass Instructions PDF from Gollihurmusic.com but I can't find where I downloaded it from on their website. It says that the switch works like this:
  • UP (towards the neck) for arco mode: optimal bowed and percussive plucking sound
  • DOWN (towards the bridge) for pizzicato mode: for optimal plucked, sustained sound

If anyone would like a copy, send me a PM with your email address and I'll send it on (unless Bob has a problem with sharing the PDF).

Personally, I just leave it on the arco setting (up), as it just sounds more like a double bass to me. The pizz setting sounds a little more towards a fretless to my ears. If I'm after that sound, I'll pull out my fretless instead. :D
 
#256
just wanted to chime in at how much upgrading to hipshot 3/8 tuners and helicore med hybrids make on this instrument. I am soooo happy with the tone and feel i am getting.

I am a primarily electric bassist with a rock/ groove background.... (ie... afro-cuban, jazz, shag, beach, ska and reggae)

Arco and pizz..... this instrument, for what it is and how it handles itself, completely rocks and is soooo worth the money....
 
#260
bajistaman said:
Anyone has tried the HH610-3/4M? http://store.daddario.com/category/146627
I'm about to buy them but not sure if they are going to fit...
I'm looking for darker strings since my WAV currently sounds the opposite
Click to expand...

I've installed the D'Addario Helicore Orchestra strings on my own WAV4 bass, and there's nothing that would preclude putting the Hybrids on either. The Orchestra models are the "darkest" most "damped" strings in that line. They bow really well (and sound pretty authentic bowed!) on the WAV. I've heard good reports on the Hybrids too.

Short answer: The Helicores fit (and sound, IMHO) great on the WAV4.
 

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