Double Bass Some String Help

[5StringsBowed]

So on all my basses right now I have belcantos, I could use some help figuring out what to put on my blockless tyrolean with a low B.

The bass has beautifully preserved arching, and has a newly carved bass bar to replace the integrated one. The instruments tone is dark and mature, however in the high register the belcantos don't really sound good. (On my 5er and solo bass I love the belcanto high register). They're also not very present, you don't feel the upper strings in the floor the way you feel the lower strings. The belcanto orchestras feel like tuned down solos under the hand, string heights are low for my taste as I usually like the G string at 8mm, on this bass it's at 6, this might be a few factors, like the old style overstand (which for me is very comfortable) or the baseball bat of a neck (also very comfortable).

I decided to do an experiment and tune the strings up a whole step, and the bass sounded much better, leading me to think that maybe a heavy string is necessary.

How would Jargar Heavies do? What about Kaplan Heavies? Any other ideas?

 

[Sam Dingle]

So on all my basses right now I have belcantos, I could use some help figuring out what to put on my blockless tyrolean with a low B.

The bass has beautifully preserved arching, and has a newly carved bass bar to replace the integrated one. The instruments tone is dark and mature, however in the high register the belcantos don't really sound good. (On my 5er and solo bass I love the belcanto high register). They're also not very present, you don't feel the upper strings in the floor the way you feel the lower strings. The belcanto orchestras feel like tuned down solos under the hand, string heights are low for my taste as I usually like the G string at 8mm, on this bass it's at 6, this might be a few factors, like the old style overstand (which for me is very comfortable) or the baseball bat of a neck (also very comfortable).

I decided to do an experiment and tune the strings up a whole step, and the bass sounded much better, leading me to think that maybe a heavy string is necessary.

How would Jargar Heavies do? What about Kaplan Heavies? Any other ideas?

Sounds like you'll like flexocore deluxe on that bass. Brighter than the belcantos and tighter IMO. I would put a spirocore on the low B but thats just me.

But first I would get the bass set up like you like meaning raise the action and such. That could be all you are looking for.

 

[5StringsBowed]

Sounds like you'll like flexocore deluxe on that bass. Brighter than the belcantos and tighter IMO

On all the basses I've ever owned (7 at this point), I've never had a bass that sounded or felt amazing with flex deluxes. They're a jack of all trades and a master of none in my experience. Specially in a section, they just never sounded or felt right. YRMV

 

[Sam Dingle]

On all the basses I've ever owned (7 at this point), I've never had a bass that sounded or felt amazing with flex deluxes. They're a jack of all trades and a master of none in my experience. Specially in a section, they just never sounded or felt right. YRMV

Cool. I'm not an orchestral player so my experience is limited.

permanents is the only other "bright arco string" I know of. Good luck

 

[Adam Booker]

I would try a sound post adjustment first. Sound like the top likes more tension to drive it, but if the sp is a little loose, that might be the issue.

 

[TroyK]

What about the other Flexocores..not the ones that we call '92s, but the other ones? Man, what's up with Pirastro's product marketing?

Anyway, those are a bit higher tension than Belcantos and brighter in the higher register, IME.

 

[Francois Blais]

Original Flexocors?

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Bridge adjusters would seem a more economical experiment than new strings. Plus, I imagine that if all your basses wear Belcantos, that’s for a reason.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

I would try several thin layers of wood shims under the bridge feet to get up to 8mm at the G. Cheaper than installing adjusters for trial.