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Double Bass Replace my Spiro G... and D (maybe)

Tom Baldwin

Tom Baldwin

Aug 3, 2003
1,127
16
MD / DC / VA
tombaldwinbass.com
#1
I am beginning research in the event that I remain dissatisfied with the Spiro G on my brand new New Standard La Scala laminate. After using an Oliv G on my other bass, I have come to love its THICK feel and attack, and how that thickness is consistent all the way up the FB. However I don't think an Oliv G is right for what I'm after on this bass. I'm looking for a G (and maybe D) that might lean in that direction. Here's what else I want:

Something to compliment Spiro E & A
Darker, rounder tone, but not "old-school"
can be steel or synthetic, as long as pitch is stable
Mainly for pizz
Smooth windings (flatwound)

What might be some likely candidates - Dominants, Permanents, Flexocores, Flat Chromesteels, make me an offer.
 
#5
Adrian Juras said:
I disagree about the Labellas. They are IMO brighter than Spirocores.
Click to expand...

They're not bright on my bass. In fact, I think I have your old set that I got from Chef.

But my new teacher has recommended Dominants b/c of the bowing issues with the 7710's. Otherwise, he likes the sound of the Labella's too.
 
#7
It really depends on the bass. After years of experimenting I found Spiros to be best on this German Ply bass I have. Conversely I recently picked up a Shen Willow and have hated the way most steel strings (Spiros, D'Addarios) sound on it. For that bass I have nothing but good things to say about the Pirastro Obligatos. Nice warm sound with a little bite.
 
#10
I swapped my G for a Dominant the other day. It's interesting how stiff the string is, even before you put it on the bass. It didn't take long to get used to the feel of it. Like Ray says, I think you should find the string that has the sound you want, and then get used to the feel if necessary. It does have a darker tone than the Spiro, but not extremely, and just a hint of the gut flavor. Somehow, there is still a brittle edge to it, and it's screechy with the bow. Does this wear off as the string ages? Also, what kind of life expectancy do the Dominants have? I'm not overly impressed with the tone, but I don't hate it either.

There may be other factors contributing to the twanginess - one being the fact that there are some buzzes on the fingerboard, and another being the Full Circle (coming from Realist on other bass). I guess the search continues, as I am looking for still darker with more thunk on the attack.
 
#11
T-Bal said:
I swapped my G for a Dominant the other day. It's interesting how stiff the string is, even before you put it on the bass. It didn't take long to get used to the feel of it. Like Ray says, I think you should find the string that has the sound you want, and then get used to the feel if necessary. It does have a darker tone than the Spiro, but not extremely, and just a hint of the gut flavor. Somehow, there is still a brittle edge to it, and it's screechy with the bow. Does this wear off as the string ages? Also, what kind of life expectancy do the Dominants have? I'm not overly impressed with the tone, but I don't hate it either.
Click to expand...

Mine settled in and darkened nicely in a couple of weeks. Funny you should mention the bow thing: Sid King (L.O. bassist for 25 years) bought a set for his Hachez because he LIKED the brightness, and got bummed when it wore off, so he's back to Spiros. About the string life: if you're a secreter like Ray (
smiley_puke.gif
), they'll probably not last long. If, on the other hand, you're a dry skinned chap like myself (which comes with its own set of problems, let me tellya...), they'll probably last for years. Mine haven't changed much since about two weeks after I put 'em on.

There may be other factors contributing to the twanginess - one being the fact that there are some buzzes on the fingerboard, and another being the Full Circle (coming from Realist on other bass).
Click to expand...

With the FC, I always roll the two treble controls on the Focus almost completely off. How do you set yours with the Spiros?
 
#12
Chris Fitzgerald said:
Sid King (L.O. bassist for 25 years) bought a set for his Hachez because he LIKED the brightness, and got bummed when it wore off, so he's back to Spiros.
Click to expand...
Does he have a dark sounding bass?

Chris Fitzgerald said:
About the string life: if you're a secreter like Ray (
smiley_puke.gif
), they'll probably not last long. If, on the other hand, you're a dry skinned chap like myself (which comes with its own set of problems, let me tellya...), they'll probably last for years.
Click to expand...
Nice smilie! No, I'm probably closer to dry skin side.

Chris Fitzgerald said:
With the FC, I always roll the two treble controls on the Focus almost completely off. How do you set yours with the Spiros?
Click to expand...
Haven't really used it enough to say. I'm usually chicken to try a more Drastic eq like that for fear of perverting the sound, losing clarity, or whatever. But, I might. For now I'm not going to mess with any more string experiments until I get the buzzes dealt with.
 
#14
OK, got rid of my buzzes about a month and a half ago. Left the Dominant G on, but never could get with the tone. Couple weeks ago, I put the original Spiro G back, but it still is too twangy/nasally and especially in thumb position, where it also lacks volume. So the search is on again.

Based on my Dominant experience, I think I will stick to steel this time around. So essentially I want:

1. Darker tone
2. Volume comparable to Spiro mediums
3. Strong pizz response up into thumb position
4. Realizing I will have to sacrifice some sustain, but hoping not too much.
5. Smooth winding

Any thoughts? I'm thinking along the lines of one of the Pirastro arco strings, or Helicore Orchestra.
 
#17
Hard to say. They are actually fairly similar in tone. I think you might like the Flatchrome a little better. They are nice strings with a strong fundamental but with good clarity. Similar tonally to Spirocores but without the "twang".
 
#19
I've been using Spirocore E and E with Pirastro Eudoxa D ang G.

pros: defination comparable to spirocore, bigger sound, much thicker, lower tension, great arco response, very very loud and fat as hell

cons: expensive, kind of hard to play, largely instable depending on weather (but if you baby them, its ok), lower tension causes a few necessary adjustments on the bass (for me).

I dig them....but I also have a plywood bass with Spiros/Dominants set up for outdoor gigs when it's humid.
 
#20
Adrian Juras said:
Similar tonally to Spirocores but without the "twang".
Click to expand...
Sounds like a winner.

Ctx - I've got Jazzer E&A on my other bass, and I think that's accurate. However, I have read accounts of the G being more on the banjo side of things.

Brian - I am sticking to steel for this particular quest. You are right about the Eudoxa, but I'm looking for stable.

Thanks for the ideas!
 

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