I keep my "E" string tuned down a whole step to D (for a number of reasons) about 50% of the time; the Stark E works fantastic for this lower tension.
j.
j.
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Double Bass Spirocore Stark- initial thoughts and encouragements
- Thread starter MrSidecar
- Start date
Follow-up:
After some time, the Starks have successfully de-zinged. That Spiro zing was not as predominant as with new Mittels, and now it's gone, leaving me with a very nice round sound both pizz and arco.
On Volume:
At home, it seems not that much more as with Mittels, though I experience something special: Both with pizz and especially with arco, the perception of volume while playing is "louder, but not by tons". But as soon as you STOP playing, you notice how QUIET the world actually is. It's strange, I can't put it better right now, but once you stop you'll notice what kind of a beast you have on your leash.
Rehearsals are something else. I rehearsed with two guitarrists playing "gypsy-jazz" (for lack of a better term), and I was used to playing with them beforehand. Everything else had stayed the same since last, only the strings had changed, and I had a feeling of "Whoa, I almost have to deliberately play quiet or else they're inaudible". I mean, it's THAT MUCH more headroom I have now, that's quite something.
Chris Fitzgerald said once, if a drummer don't hear you with those, chances are he's not hearing anything. It's true, you cut right trhu everything with those Starks, and that makes playing lots easier and less of a volume-competition. Without amp, that is. With amp, they work extremely well too.
That also goes for gigs, where suddenly "the force is with you" power-wise. And yes, 3 hours is working fine.
I should also note that all this screaming monster growl does NOT come at the price of beauty. In fact, while the arco tone is about the most facette-rich I could wish for, the pizz has this beautiful thud to it... It's just wonderful on both ends.
The bass takes them easily, no top-sinkeage yet. Bowability-wise, they are Spiros. If you have your bowing in order, it's REALLY nice.
No troubles on the hands or fingers, either. They feel great to me.
So, no regrets so far.
Best
Sidecar
After some time, the Starks have successfully de-zinged. That Spiro zing was not as predominant as with new Mittels, and now it's gone, leaving me with a very nice round sound both pizz and arco.
On Volume:
At home, it seems not that much more as with Mittels, though I experience something special: Both with pizz and especially with arco, the perception of volume while playing is "louder, but not by tons". But as soon as you STOP playing, you notice how QUIET the world actually is. It's strange, I can't put it better right now, but once you stop you'll notice what kind of a beast you have on your leash.
Rehearsals are something else. I rehearsed with two guitarrists playing "gypsy-jazz" (for lack of a better term), and I was used to playing with them beforehand. Everything else had stayed the same since last, only the strings had changed, and I had a feeling of "Whoa, I almost have to deliberately play quiet or else they're inaudible". I mean, it's THAT MUCH more headroom I have now, that's quite something.
Chris Fitzgerald said once, if a drummer don't hear you with those, chances are he's not hearing anything. It's true, you cut right trhu everything with those Starks, and that makes playing lots easier and less of a volume-competition. Without amp, that is. With amp, they work extremely well too.
That also goes for gigs, where suddenly "the force is with you" power-wise. And yes, 3 hours is working fine.
I should also note that all this screaming monster growl does NOT come at the price of beauty. In fact, while the arco tone is about the most facette-rich I could wish for, the pizz has this beautiful thud to it... It's just wonderful on both ends.
The bass takes them easily, no top-sinkeage yet. Bowability-wise, they are Spiros. If you have your bowing in order, it's REALLY nice.
No troubles on the hands or fingers, either. They feel great to me.
So, no regrets so far.
Best
Sidecar
Not to much on this lately-you guys must have "blisters on ye' fingers!" 
Actually, to get back on topic, I originally asked about how these strings directly affected your vibrato-primarily for arco players. I might have gotten an indirect answer, but none that I recall directly to the point which is: can you maintain a fairly fast, espressivo vibrato with these heavier strings?
Look, I'm a bit intrigued, but I have found that extreme ends of the string spectrum produce interesting results that quickly reveal other faults.
You guys that arco-give me some vibrato feedback vs. medium -Thanks, S.A.W.
Actually, to get back on topic, I originally asked about how these strings directly affected your vibrato-primarily for arco players. I might have gotten an indirect answer, but none that I recall directly to the point which is: can you maintain a fairly fast, espressivo vibrato with these heavier strings?
Look, I'm a bit intrigued, but I have found that extreme ends of the string spectrum produce interesting results that quickly reveal other faults.
You guys that arco-give me some vibrato feedback vs. medium -Thanks, S.A.W.
I've got a Shen hybrid for a while as one bass is being adjusted. It has Spiro mediums on it (which seem fairly new). I have to use much more vibrato to get a warm arco sound out them - but that could be the bass, the newness of the strings etc
Louis
Louis
Another Follow-up:
Today, I used them Starks in a studio situation (with the two guitars mentioned before). They record very nicely, have loads of bottom and thud, no harshness, lots of growl, they are nice and tight on the bottom. In my experience, they are less metal-ish than Mittels, and much more focused than Weichs. The most pleasant recording situation so far for me. I'll post clips of it as soon as they're done.
Meanwhile, I had several rehearsals with my quartet (bass, drums, sax, bone). We're not the softest playing band in the world, and it was oh so nice with those starks, with the Ehrlund into the amp and it's really great and powerful.
Best
Sidecar
Today, I used them Starks in a studio situation (with the two guitars mentioned before). They record very nicely, have loads of bottom and thud, no harshness, lots of growl, they are nice and tight on the bottom. In my experience, they are less metal-ish than Mittels, and much more focused than Weichs. The most pleasant recording situation so far for me. I'll post clips of it as soon as they're done.
Meanwhile, I had several rehearsals with my quartet (bass, drums, sax, bone). We're not the softest playing band in the world, and it was oh so nice with those starks, with the Ehrlund into the amp and it's really great and powerful.
Best
Sidecar
Alright, I'm a convert. Put these on the bass last night. Definitely a noticeable improvement in focus over the previous setup. I also like the stiffness, because I used a relaxed pizz technique that benefits quite a bit from a setup that feels rock solid. I'm not getting a whole lot of growl, but I believe that has to do with the bass. Still, the sustain is clear and the punch is righteous.
Arco is pretty sweet as well. Still a bit tinny at the moment, but solid and focused, not to mention edgy just the way I like it. I often tell folks that I like for my bass to sound like chewbaca on steroids. These fit the bill.
Arco is pretty sweet as well. Still a bit tinny at the moment, but solid and focused, not to mention edgy just the way I like it. I often tell folks that I like for my bass to sound like chewbaca on steroids. These fit the bill.
Bumpin' this thread up. I'd like to hear about long term effect on the top of carved basses. I'd like to try this set on my bass but absolutely don't want to see the top start sinking. I spoke with two highly regarded luthiers and got two opposing views. So, how's it going with your bass?
I have no problems on the Argentine bass - but the top is a bit thick - which is why I've used these strings to get it going.
Louis
Louis
Mine is an old ex-3string-convert with integral bass bar, thus, nothing you would suspect to be overly rugged. Nevertheless, the top did not sink at all, bass sounds not chocked (quite to the contrary), everything's cool. I've had Starks on since I started this thread in mid-December, and nothing unpleasant happened.
I have to add, these are the most amazing strings I've ever used. They record perfectly, they have all the bottom and fundamental you'll ever wish for, they have phenomenal volume, great sustain, you can dig in as hard as you please, they absolutely tear-jerk arco, they are not banjo-ing for me, and I'd suspect they are even less prone to mechanical damage then Mittels
.Hope this helps.
Best
Sidecar
My luthier, who also makes basses having a top with an integrated bass bar, told me that tops with integrated bass bars don't sink, but those with glued on bass bars do sink (more or less).
Mine has a glued on bass bar and after 10 years or so the top did sink about two or three millimeters on the bass bar side. This seems to be normal. My bass is a 5-string made about 20 years ago with a rather thick top built for higher tension strings (Spirocore, Flexocore).
Mine has a glued on bass bar and after 10 years or so the top did sink about two or three millimeters on the bass bar side. This seems to be normal. My bass is a 5-string made about 20 years ago with a rather thick top built for higher tension strings (Spirocore, Flexocore).
I guess this makes my one-month update. No top troubles for me. My bass is a relatively new hybrid, so take that with a grain of salt.
I did a few big band shows with a couple university ensembles a couple of weeks ago. Normally I consider my amp to be underpowered for big band use, but with the starks on my bass and some ham-fisted bear style playing, my rig worked perfectly - all knobs set to noon, except the bass knob dialed back to about 9 o'clock.
Right now I'm working on audition rep for a local philharmonic. I'll let you know how that goes, but as it stands I find the sound I'm pulling quite appropriate for Shostakovich.
I did a few big band shows with a couple university ensembles a couple of weeks ago. Normally I consider my amp to be underpowered for big band use, but with the starks on my bass and some ham-fisted bear style playing, my rig worked perfectly - all knobs set to noon, except the bass knob dialed back to about 9 o'clock.
Right now I'm working on audition rep for a local philharmonic. I'll let you know how that goes, but as it stands I find the sound I'm pulling quite appropriate for Shostakovich.
HTML:
Hope this helps.My goal in trying these will be to get a bigger, more powerful sound for playing in an orchestra that typically has about five basses. I don't think the top of my bass is very thick. Now, I'm using Belcantos, and while I really like the arco sound of these, I feel like I'd want to get more volume in the orchestra setting.
Thanks Kungfu!
I actually just bought the unused set in the classified. I figure if I chicken out, I can probably get back what I paid. It was a good price. I still have some Permanents I want to try as well.
