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Double Bass Spiro

Bassman415

Bassman415

I make the floor shake
Nov 17, 2008
788
385
Everywhere and Nowhere
#1
Hi TB hive mind

so recently I went down the Spirocore rabbit hole and I’m ashamed to say that I wish I went down this rabbit hole sooner lol. Starting out in January I put a medium extended E on my Italian bass with amazing results with belcanto on the rest. I then added a medium A because lately it seems the belcanto A strings are acting very weird. Last week I went full tilt and threw on the D and G.

I’m amazed at how great these strings sound on my bass under the bow !! One question I do have for you all that have used or still use a full set of spiro medium for arco do you all feel that the D and G are a little tougher on the left hand compared to belcanto ?

anyones experience or input would be welcomed !!
 
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#2
I'm not a perfect respondent, because I'm mostly a pizz player, though I enjoy Spirocores arco as much as any other string that I actually like for pizz, including things like Evah Pirazzi, which are supposed to be easier/better.

What I will say is this: It took me a while to get the gauge right. Once I did, everything was glorious. I was last night thinking about how perfect they are. It wouldn't even be right to call them "bright", they're just right. Authoritative and right.

But I didn't feel that way when I was heavier or lighter with Spirocore gauges. I had to find what worked best for my bass and my playing. Maybe that's a thought for your D and G or maybe a little setup could get you where you want to be (it was actually both for me).
 
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#3
Well, this is my experience, and every bass seems to suit it’s own string.

I am fine with Spiro medium or even stark regarding left hand feel.
It is also satisfying when you get to the arco level that you can make Spiros work well.

The problem I have with Spiros is they just don’t get the arco sound I want, at least on my basses.
Excepting the lowest Spiro. BelCanto and other arco specific strings do. And they will fit with a section.

I have a smallish 3/4 carved bass, that was sold to me in 1974 as a ‘chamber bass’.
Its duty really is a jazz & commercial gig bass and is strung with medium Spiros. Great for jazz only.
Whenever I take it to a chamber orchestra thing I dislike it, and wish I had brought my other bass.
I will probably never take it to the symphony.

For arco I much prefer (over Spiros) my 7/8ths bass strung:
G & D Flexocor Deluxe
A Original Flexocor
E Spiro Stark

Even better classical sound wise, I will tune in 5ths or hybrid 5ths depending on the program. It took a lot of string experimentation to get to what 5ths string set works best. Off topic for this thread.
 
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#4
Blah, blah, blah..

Spiros I love you...

blah, bah, blah...but....

blah, blah, blah....I just spent $27,000 on "spiro like" & "gut like" hipster new cheap plastic core strings until my wife left me & I hate my life....

blah blah blah....

I put back on my 13 year old Spiros and I'm in love again...
 
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#5
james condino said:
Blah, blah ,blah..

Spiros I love you...

blah, bah, blah...but....

blah, blah, blah....I just spent $27,000 on "spiro like" & "gut like" hipster new cheap plastic core strings until my wife left me & I hate my life....

blah blah blah....

I put back on my 13 year old Spiros and I'm in love again...
Click to expand...

my man !!
 
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#7
I've been considering going back to spiros at some point (or evahs for a darker sound). I remember thinking on my bass a full set of mediums had that weird weak E string thing and with an extension i can't go heavier. 4/4 weich didn't work. Wondering if 3/4 weich would even fit on my 43.5 inch scale. if so that may be cool.

But also real quick, I was looking at prices the other day. Dang strings have gotten expensive. I remember $250 got me a set of mediums with an extended E, now its $350. crazy.
 
#9
I recently made a switch back to Spiros, first trying the 3885 weich before settling on the S42w. My bass and hands love the lower tension and softer feel under the LH. (I am selling the lightly used 3885w’s)

As for comparing Spiro medium to Belcanto, I recall the Belcanto to be fairly easy on the LH- more like the Spiro weich.

I’m only one week into my reunion with these strings (after 25 years) and I am also enjoying the arco experience!
 
#11
Sam Dingle said:
I've been considering going back to spiros at some point (or evahs for a darker sound). I remember thinking on my bass a full set of mediums had that weird weak E string thing and with an extension i can't go heavier. 4/4 weich didn't work. Wondering if 3/4 weich would even fit on my 43.5 inch scale. if so that may be cool.

But also real quick, I was looking at prices the other day. Dang strings have gotten expensive. I remember $250 got me a set of mediums with an extended E, now its $350. crazy.
Click to expand...

you need a new bass dingleberry !!
 

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