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Double Bass Sologauge strings downtuned

Skumbas

Skumbas

Oct 7, 2014
66
17
44
Sweden
#1
Hi!

Do anyone here on the forum have any experience of downtuning sologauge strings? An alternative would also be low tension strings that would be handling tuning up one step. It would be very practical for me right now since I'm studying classical double bass and play both solo pieces and chamberensemble music. But I've played mostly jazz before and still do time to time so I need to have some strings that works ok for that as well. I guess it's gonna be hard to cover all three stuffs but it's at least worth to ask you about your thoughts and experience.
 
#2
If you want to use the same kind of strings for orchestra and solo tuning, the tension difference is a bit over 20%. It does not matter which strings you use the difference is always the same.
I would not uptune light or medium orchestra strings, since the tension rises 10% or 20%. The strings are not made for this higher tension. (Remember, only the core of the string holds the full tension!)
You can tune down solo strings, but most sets have equal tension, whereas most orchestra sets rise in tension towards the lower strings. Together with the lowered tension in orchestra tuning that can give you a rather floppy A and E.

Try cow tuning your current strings by a wholetone and try that for Jazz pizz and orchestra bowing. If you don't like it one set of strings won't work.
BTW, most synthetic core strings don't like constant detuning, so better look for higher tension steel core strings (i.e. Spiros).

And the changing pressure on the top is not the best thing for your bass. The bass needs about one to two weeks to adapt to the new pressure.
Changing strings where solo and orchestra set have similar tension seems to be better. If you need to do this rather often you probably need a second instrument.

If space is an issue and you don't need to bow in orchestra tuning, an EUB with an endpin and a body support might be a solution, but a second acoustic double bass would be a better and maybe even cheaper solution when you get a ply or hybrid.
 
#3
I think you would need solo strings that you tune down for jazz rather than going the other way. I played Spirocore Solos tuned to orchestral pitch for about a year and liked it, but didn't stick with it.

Not a bad thing to try, but I would worry a little bit about the bass adjusting back and forth, depending on how often you were doing it. I would think you'd need bridge and maybe soundpost adjustments between the two.

I don't think I could make my brain work this way, but you just play jazz tuned for orchestral solo?
 
#6
Thanks for your replies! It's not very often that I would need a solo tuning. But right now I'm working on piece which are supposed to be in solo tuning. It's not a famous piece so I think it can be hard to find a piano score for orchestral tuning. It's for this situations it would be very practical I think.
 
#7
damonsmith said:
I use solos tuned down, you lose a bit of punch in the pizz sound, but get a wider range of arco sounds I use a weich E, though.
I sometimes retune the G up to A, but tuning and re-tuning all the string between solo and orch. pitch is probably going to cause some issues. Maybe not, though.
Click to expand...
What brand of strings do you use, Damon? Spiro solo?
 
#13
TroyK said:
Anyone ever play Superflexible solos tuned to orchestra pitch?
Click to expand...
I played them for a while. On some basses they worked well, but on my Kay, even with the beveled fingerboard, I couldn't keep the down-tuned F# string from rattling while set at a comfortable height. A friend of mine with tendonitis played them with an orchestra gauge A for an E string. His attack was very soft though. Arco was friendly for a 99.9% pizz player like me.
A lot of the slap guys played them instead of of gut. Lower cost, no tuning issues, and workable with magnetic pickups.
 
#14
I used them for years, playing blues and jazz, then eventually settled on Spiro Weich. ... I just picked up a 60's German ply with Spiro Orchestra and can really feel the difference. Nice tone on the D/G but stiffer than I like.
 
#15
In the 70s I was studying with Richard Davis and my then new bass had a nasal arco sound. He suggested spiro solos tuned to orchestra pitch, which was what he was using at the time, and it greatly improved the sound. After a few years the bass opened up and warmed up and I was playing more jazz and less classical, so I switched to mitts. There are so many more string choices now - I'm currently using Zyex lights - but I'm curious about those solos again. If you go there, report back.
 

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