Double Bass Romberg bevel necessary for guts?

[jsf729]

First let me say that I've never played gut strings, but it seems like I won't live a full life until I do! Mainly because of the cost, since I enjoy playing music that they would work well with them (actually play most styles, but jazz and blues for this application and I own more than one bass) Anyway, I have a 65 Kay that I'm thinking about setting up for guts after I get a 2nd mortgage on my house to pay for them . The fingerboard is borderline ready for replacement so my question is- if I do replace it, should it have the Romberg bevel? Anybody using guts with a more modern radius board?

 

[Grant the Canuk]

First let me say that I've never played gut strings, but it seems like I won't live a full life until I do! Mainly because of the cost, since I enjoy playing music that they would work well with them (actually play most styles, but jazz and blues for this application and I own more than one bass) Anyway, I have a 65 Kay that I'm thinking about setting up for guts after I get a 2nd mortgage on my house to pay for them . The fingerboard is borderline ready for replacement so my question is- if I do replace it, should it have the Romberg bevel? Anybody using guts with a more modern radius board?

Unless you are planning to get a plain gut E string a bevel is not necessary. I have 2 basses, one without and one with and they both handle a wrapped gut E just fine.

 

[jsf729]

Unless you are planning to get a plain gut E string a bevel is not necessary. I have 2 basses, one without and one with and they both handle a wrapped gut E just fine.

Thanks for your reply. Actually I'll have to research more about advantages/disadvantages of wrapped E before I purchase. Good info

 

[Grant the Canuk]

Cost is a big factor in using a wrapped E. They are about $340 for the string unwrapped vs $170 for a wrapped E. Also they are huge! various adjustments need to be made to accommodate the unwrapped E string (nut & bridge slots). I have tried several combinations of Gamut guts strings and have found that a wrapped E, Pistoy A & D, and a lyon G makes the best setup.

 

[Grant the Canuk]

Heres a link to the Gamut store Invalid Link Removed

 

[jsf729]

Heres a link to the Gamut store Invalid Link Removed

Thanks for all the info Grant! Super helpful

 

[shwashwa]

no, not necessary

 

[Tim Skaggs]

I've played synthetic core strings with very similar tension and diameter to guts both for years with and without a bevel. I'd say a bevel is helpful, but not a requirement. I found that I alter my playing style to pull the string in a plane parallel to the fingerboard under each string whether playing a beveled or radiused FB. That's to say, I rotate my wrist / forearm to position my right hand so I pull the string "across" the FB instead of "away from" the FB (unless intentionally playing slap/snap). It looks to me like most experienced pizz players I've watched do this instinctively. That starts the string vibrating parallel to the board, and although it doesn't stay in that same vibration pattern for the duration, it might for the length on the note you're playing.