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Double Bass Peter Infeld Strings
- Thread starter SeayBass
- Start date
I speculate that the popularity of certain bespoke strings have opened the door for the traditional manufacturers to give a little bump for a product with buzz; combine that with external factors and we're looking at prices creeping up.
As I mentioned in the other thread, at those prices, though, I'll want to see other people trying them out and liking them over the long term. I have noticed that some strings get a lot of buzz here but also crop up very frequently in the classified ads, suggesting that once the newness wears off, quirks become annoyances. I say this knowing full well that I have done this myself, many times with a variety of string setups, so I don't mean to imply judgement on others that I spare myself.
Aren't they another spiral rope steel core string aka a new flavor of spirocore aka the people who love them today will go back to spirocore in a year?
I don't mind at all spending on strings. I'm a big advocate for gut or tempera strings - which cost a lot. But they sound fresh and new forever, which steel core strings absolutely can't do.
i'm also interested in hearing more. but I agree that being "new" makes a ton of hype. I remember when Zyex from d'addario came out - lots of hype, now i never see or hear about them. BTW, if that string was released today, how many of us would be raving about it - but it's out there for only $200/set and nobody cares.
these new strings could be bigger than spirocore and worth $400+, we'll just have to wait and see
I don't mind at all spending on strings. I'm a big advocate for gut or tempera strings - which cost a lot. But they sound fresh and new forever, which steel core strings absolutely can't do.
i'm also interested in hearing more. but I agree that being "new" makes a ton of hype. I remember when Zyex from d'addario came out - lots of hype, now i never see or hear about them. BTW, if that string was released today, how many of us would be raving about it - but it's out there for only $200/set and nobody cares.
these new strings could be bigger than spirocore and worth $400+, we'll just have to wait and see
Yes I was on Thomastik's website yesterday, and the product page reads the same as Spirocore.
Superflexible: rope core, chrome wound
Spirocore: spiral core, chrome wound
BelCanto: rope core, chrome wound
Peter Infield: spiral core, chrome wound
Isn't a rope, by its nature, a spiral? I guess there could be woven rope like a climbing rope, but I associate woven rope with synthetic cores like what we saw with Innovation Polychrome strings, not metal.
The difference could be that the new Peter Infield DB string are "balanced" tension wise?
None of TI's string info tech specs mentions dampening materials.
i'm sure they're different, and possibly noticeably so.
but I just don't think this will be the magical string of the future - the way I believe tempera is / will be
Greg Clinkingbeard
Commercial User
Spirocore E strings, and often A strings are often used with the string of choice on top for all types of basses for all types of playing. The E is a powerful and clear string. Bel Cantos and good arco strings but a criticism I often hear is either the E is weak or it dies too soon. Heck, Bel Cantos don’t seem to last like Spirocores for that matter.
I certainly understand the rationale for creating a set that combines the virtues of both but it seems like a costly option.
I certainly understand the rationale for creating a set that combines the virtues of both but it seems like a costly option.
I haven't seen one single place in Europe, where you can order them already. So probably 420$ isn't a "real" price but a feeler, to look, if anybody is actually going to pay that amount of money. And remember: There is an uncertainty with the final price for imports from Europe. This might already be included in the 420$ price tag.
I just ordered a set (or rather four individual strings because I need the extended E) directly from the Thomastik website. The price was almost 347 EUR which is about 405 dollars it seems. Free shipping within Europe.
Gennslers and most guts are considerably more. If you compare the price over the life of an ebass string it’s actually considerably less. Unless you never change those either. I do every year. My last set of double bass strings lasted me 7 years playing 80-100 programs a year and everyday practice.
Peter Infield Double Bass Strings = $60/yr
Electric Bass Strings (I use Thomastik)
= $50-$100+/yr
On par if not less
I see where you’re coming from here. The durability of certain double bass strings like Spiros can certainly make them a better long term investment than most round wound bass guitar strings. There is a caveat, though, and it’s that this math is based on the assumption that one likes these new double bass strings enough to keep them on for many years.
Case in point, I just dropped $550 on a set of Temperas only to find that they weren’t quite what I was looking for.
100% I get that caveat emptor for sure. I stopped the string game and just pay entirely too much for my strings (Genssler helix) but they do last me forever. The string game is tough as the initial buy in is not for the faint of heart or the average musician. I’m not sure where manufacturers decided, hey let’s charge the most to one of the least affluent demographics on earth. If you’re happy, don’t bother I say
Ha. I just put the Helix back on my bass and plan to leave them on and stop the string game too!!
I found an even more expensive solution to the string dilemma. I went to my luthier for some tweaking after installing the Flex Original/Perm set and came home with a much improved bass and a bow that likes those strings a lot; go figure.
so true
Grumble grumble. back in my day...
in the 90's a set of strings - spirocores for example- cost $100. that's $200 in today's money.
in the 90's a jazz gig paid $50 maybe $100. Today a jazz gig pays $50, maybe maybe $100.
Grumble grumble. back in my day...
in the 90's a set of strings - spirocores for example- cost $100. that's $200 in today's money.
in the 90's a jazz gig paid $50 maybe $100. Today a jazz gig pays $50, maybe maybe $100.
Does anyone have any user experience yet to report about the final release version of these strings? Like everyone else, I’m shocked at the price and think it’s too much to ask for a new product on the market. If it comes way down, then maybe I’d be curious enough to try some.
