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Double Bass Spirocore 3/4 vs. 4/4 weichs/lights

Selim

Selim

Supporting Member
Jun 2, 2008
2,070
2,062
New York City
#1
I have a 3/4 (3885) weich E string that I've used in various combo sets that I really like - it seems to bring some of the benefits of both 4/4 weichs (playability, easier arco response) and 4/4 mittels/mediums (depth).

I'm familiar with 4/4 weichs - a 2 month old set is on my bass now (currently with an old flexocor deluxe G - still looking for a good G string match).

My question is what does a full set of the 3/4 weichs bring to the table in comparison to the 4/4 weichs?

My bass has been described as a large 3/4/small 7/8 bass with a 42" SL.

Thanks.
 
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#2
The 3/4 light (weich) set is slightly thicker and higher tension when compared to the 4/4 light set. As a result the 3/4 set puts out more sound and you can dig in a little more. The upper strings still feel thin compared to the synthetic-core strings I used previously, but not as thin as the 4/4 light set. Two bassists that I know who use this set are @kscbass and @John Goldsby. Perhaps they can weigh in as well.

- Steve
 
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#3
I can't really offer a well-researched opinion here. For years, I used Spirocore Mediums (all red wrapping), then Spiros with a Flexicore G string. Then I switched to Spirocore Weich gauge (with the purple top ends). The bass I use these on seems to sing more and sound more open with the Spiro Weich than with the mediums. I've used the 3/4 size because the string length on that bass is about 41.5", and when I tested the 4/4 size, the E string wound into the metal string wrapping. The 3/4 seems to be the right length . . . I didn't notice much difference in sound (of course, this switch was a long time ago).

My other bass is strung with gut strings. Between the Spiros on one bass and the guts on the other, it's sort of a Ying and Yang thing. I like both.
 
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#4
My bass is a German carved 1963 Roth (Juzek-ish) 3/4 body size with 42" scale length. I've been using Spiro Weichs 3/4 since I got the bass in 2012. First I tried Spiro Mediums 4/4 and it choked the top big time, very low volume. Had an old spiro weich 3/4 set around so I put them on this bass and it got louder and still punchy, just perfect for this bass. By curiosity tried the spiro weichs 4/4 and they didn't move as much air as the 3/4's, notes on thumb position didn't sing, just sounded whimpy, plink!
On my first Carved bass the spiro weichs 4/4 were perfect, and on an overseas gig with a large 7/8 rental bass the Spiro Mediums 4/4 were perfect. So each bass will react differently to the same set of strings. If you like the spirocore sound you have to find the ideal set for your bass and hands.
 
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#6
Selim said:
My problem is that my hands like the easier play of the weichs but my ears like the depth of sound of the mittels. Either set sounds fine on my bass. Hence, my question about the 3/4 weichs maybe being the middle ground between the two.

Only one way to find out!

Ironically, all these years I thought I never cared much for Spirocores -- it took getting a new bass to realize it was really that the bass I had been playing for the last 30 years didn't like them.
Click to expand...

You should defiantly get a new set of spiro weich 3/4. They really are a mix between the 2. My other suggestion is to build up strength for the mediums, but life isn't that simple.
 
#7
The 3/4 lights should have less tension than the 4/4 mediums on the same bass. That's certainly been my experience and it's consistent with what what I've read here. I've heard other people talk about strings "loosening up" over time, but I've never experienced it and I actually attribute it to people getting used to new strings over time. There's also the matter of "perceived tension" that has been discussed on other threads. Perhaps the thinner diameter on a string that has more tension than the 4/4 lights makes them seem tighter than the 4/4 mediums which are thicker.

- Steve
 
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#10
Selim said:
Do they bow at least as well as Sweichs or Smittels?
Click to expand...

I'll say "yes*".

Sweichs bow quite nice on my bass. I took some classicial lessons some years back and the teacher liked how the arco with them on my bass better than Evah Pirazzis on her's. Smittels choke my bass down pizz and are pretty torturous arco, but I've heard people play Smittle strung basses quite will with a bow. So, mostly what that tells me is that they don't work well on my bass with my set up.

Jazzers work quite well on my bass, especially the E and A strings. To me, they have the gauge of Smittles and the suppleness of Sweichs. They don't sound exactly like either, but they have their own good qualities, that work quite well for me for most things. Arco, I'm well aware that I'm not bowing Flexocores, but if I pay attention, it works. Practice, bowing jazz heads or scales/arpeggios at home, they're perfectly fine. If I was performing with a bow, they might not be my choice, whereas, I might get by fine with Sweichs, but again, I think that is more me and my bass than the strings.

Pablo Aslan (who's music I love, by the way) features arco prominently on his album Buenos Aires Tango Standards and there is an afterlengths photo in his CD media that suggests that he may have been using Jazzers on that album, but then again, that may or may not mean anything. He is an NYC guy and responded really quickly to an email that I sent through his site once, might be worth a note to him.
 
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#18
DoubleMIDI said:
Enter the scale length at the top right and the tension will be calculated for that scale length.

I know that file since I made it ...
Click to expand...

Ahh. I just poked around on this and figured it all out. Thanks! Very helpful. Found out my current E and A are around 18 and 17 on my bass (they are the A and D downtuned by a 5th), but I really like them. No wonder I didnt like my prevoius E when they were at 32.5 (Helicore Hybrid Medium E)!
 

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