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Hello forum DB bassists,
I'd like to keep this thread alive as long as possible because, in my situation, I would find it beneficial to hear varying opinions on what I consider a crucial subject. To me, it would seem that the choice of light, medium or heavy gauge strings on a double bass would amount to a "game changer," not only in reference to the tone of the bass, but also to its ease-of-playability. So, to get to an opinion/answer that approaches satisfaction on a personal level, let me tell you a bit about my own story.
I had played upright on a more regular basis many years back—about 30-or-so years ago, to be more precise. Since that era I have devoted most of my time on fretted and fretless electric bass guitars, playing every genre/style from pop, rock, blues, and rock-and-soul, to slap and finger funk styles (Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, ToP/Rocco Prestia, Jeff Berlin, Jaco Pastorius, etc), to jazz and jazz fusion within both cover and original ensembles. Through all of these many years of electric playing I have tended to gravitate toward a more medium to light gauge string set up on my basses.
Early on, due to the musical road I had chosen, I found myself playing the old Kay plywood I owned at that time more infrequently. So I sold it and went on my merry way exploring and developing my style on electric bass guitar.
Anyway, to cut to the chase; within the last 4 or so years I have started to play upright again—going the electric double bass and cheaper route. I acquired a Stagg bass as a gift and began performing in a local jazz ensemble. That has all changed now. I’ve ordered a decent acoustic and am awaiting its arrival.
So, now onto the hopefully informative, opinion-generating question:
The jazz style I’m performing within the aforementioned ensemble involves playing a wide-ranging scope of "smooth" jazz cover material—contemporary jazz (Holly Cole, Diana Krall, Madeleine Peyroux, etc), standard jazz (Charlie Haden, Mingus, Steps Ahead, etc), to quartet-oriented blues, and a more folk and folk fusion crossover—with some solo work interspersed.
Considering all I have told you concerning my profile, needs and wants, and also the fact that in my old age I’m beginning to experience a bit of age-related stress and fatigue in my hands—with a bout of slight “trigger finger” setting in on a few of my fingers thrown in for good measure—I’d be very interested in hearing your recommendations and opinions on string gauges.
I tend to think a lowered action combined with a medium-to-lighter gauge string e.g. a lighter-gauge Thompsik Spirocore, would not only suffice in my situation, but would be the best possible scenario. What do you think? Oh, and by the way, the bass I’ve ordered is a Thompson rm-100.
My apologies for being so verbose, but I wanted to give you as much information about myself in order to better encourage a good set of responses.
Thanks for your time…
Hello forum DB bassists,
I'd like to keep this thread alive as long as possible because, in my situation, I would find it beneficial to hear varying opinions on what I consider a crucial subject. To me, it would seem that the choice of light, medium or heavy gauge strings on a double bass would amount to a "game changer," not only in reference to the tone of the bass, but also to its ease-of-playability. So, to get to an opinion/answer that approaches satisfaction on a personal level, let me tell you a bit about my own story.
I had played upright on a more regular basis many years back—about 30-or-so years ago, to be more precise. Since that era I have devoted most of my time on fretted and fretless electric bass guitars, playing every genre/style from pop, rock, blues, and rock-and-soul, to slap and finger funk styles (Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, ToP/Rocco Prestia, Jeff Berlin, Jaco Pastorius, etc), to jazz and jazz fusion within both cover and original ensembles. Through all of these many years of electric playing I have tended to gravitate toward a more medium to light gauge string set up on my basses.
Early on, due to the musical road I had chosen, I found myself playing the old Kay plywood I owned at that time more infrequently. So I sold it and went on my merry way exploring and developing my style on electric bass guitar.
Anyway, to cut to the chase; within the last 4 or so years I have started to play upright again—going the electric double bass and cheaper route. I acquired a Stagg bass as a gift and began performing in a local jazz ensemble. That has all changed now. I’ve ordered a decent acoustic and am awaiting its arrival.
So, now onto the hopefully informative, opinion-generating question:
The jazz style I’m performing within the aforementioned ensemble involves playing a wide-ranging scope of "smooth" jazz cover material—contemporary jazz (Holly Cole, Diana Krall, Madeleine Peyroux, etc), standard jazz (Charlie Haden, Mingus, Steps Ahead, etc), to quartet-oriented blues, and a more folk and folk fusion crossover—with some solo work interspersed.
Considering all I have told you concerning my profile, needs and wants, and also the fact that in my old age I’m beginning to experience a bit of age-related stress and fatigue in my hands—with a bout of slight “trigger finger” setting in on a few of my fingers thrown in for good measure—I’d be very interested in hearing your recommendations and opinions on string gauges.
I tend to think a lowered action combined with a medium-to-lighter gauge string e.g. a lighter-gauge Thompsik Spirocore, would not only suffice in my situation, but would be the best possible scenario. What do you think? Oh, and by the way, the bass I’ve ordered is a Thompson rm-100.
My apologies for being so verbose, but I wanted to give you as much information about myself in order to better encourage a good set of responses.
Thanks for your time…
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