I'm using a fifth tuning drago set. I don't think he's doing them anymore but they are fantastic!
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Double Bass Sonores Gut Strings by Gerold Genssler
- Thread starter Dr Rod
- Start date
Earl
Supporting Member
Saw Larry a few weeks ago and it looked like he was using Helicores. Ben Street uses the Wraps. I used the corax for a while and liked them but could not bow them at all.
Larry Grenadier uses Helicore hybrid light EAD, Genssler plain G. The G feels weird in comparison to the Helicores, but they sound really nice together.
Genssler told me that Larry uses J-Roque which are very similar in look and construction to Wraps.
i received my first set of j-roques a few weeks ago.. i was thinking about getting a full set of gamut pistoy or j-roques.. i didnt had the chance to try the sets so i had to decide out of my stomach.. i had a D and G wrap on my bass i bought used before with which i was really happy.. in the end i went with a set of j-roques bec the pistoys would have been 800 euro and 600 for the j-roques is already a lot of money.. blabla..
to cut a long story short..
j-roques - best strings i have ever played! the strings are really thick, nearly as thick as plain gut but they have a nice sustain and speak up the whole fingerboard on ALL four strings.. the feel of them to my fingers is perfect.. i need less power and get more tone out of my bass with these strings.. and they sound fat fat fat fat and still perfectly clear on the whole range on ALL strings..
i cant comment on arco as i am not much of an arco player, but i have no problem bowing them..
btw.. the D and G string from the j-roque set is very different compared to the D and G wrap.. i prefer the j-roque D and G..
to cut a long story short..
j-roques - best strings i have ever played! the strings are really thick, nearly as thick as plain gut but they have a nice sustain and speak up the whole fingerboard on ALL four strings.. the feel of them to my fingers is perfect.. i need less power and get more tone out of my bass with these strings.. and they sound fat fat fat fat and still perfectly clear on the whole range on ALL strings..
i cant comment on arco as i am not much of an arco player, but i have no problem bowing them..
btw.. the D and G string from the j-roque set is very different compared to the D and G wrap.. i prefer the j-roque D and G..
Gerold recommended I go to AP. He said I would have a similar problem with wrap arco wise as they are the same diameter as the corax. Corax sometimes have these uncontrollable high pitched squeaks. I don't mind the thicker gauge as long as I feel I'm in control of the tone. The plain gut is probably easier on the bow...expensive experiment!
the pizzicato sound is massive, i love it.. the arco sound is very powerful and dynamic but i cant comment more on that as i have no clue about arco..
here you are:
Earl
Supporting Member
Would love to hear a recording of that bass with those strings.
i will try to record a few bars when i got a minute, but cant promise when that is..
i dont use a pickup, only a dpa mic through an acoustic image ten2 or a phil jones bg100 if the venue is small.. very happy with this setup..
i dont use a pickup, only a dpa mic through an acoustic image ten2 or a phil jones bg100 if the venue is small.. very happy with this setup..
Does anyone else find Gerold's 2016 AP strings sticky feeling under the left hand? I love the tone but struggle with shifting sometime as there seems to be a lot more friction under the fingers than other strings I've used. I've tried cleaning the strings and applying almond oil and even Fast Fret but the stickiness is still there. Any ideas?
Some links Gerold sent to me of j roque.
Not sure of what to make of the sticky ap strings?
Maybe it's the aluminum windings? I have trouble using copper wound (like Velvets) or silver wound (like Eudoxa) strings because of the stickiness. For me it causes trouble with left hand shifting, and I've gotten blisters on the fingers of my right hand from the extra friction when plucking. Something to do with skin chemistry I suppose. Some folks don't seem to have any issues.
