Double Bass SPIROCORES ARE SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!!

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Played my backup bass today (strung with Mitts G-a and a stark E), and the sound was glorious. Because they're not quite as stiff as the Dominants, I missed the extra tension at first. Then I jacked 'em up an extra turn and basked in the whoop***. Hoo-ahh!

 

[Jason Sypher]

look ma, no hairs...

 

[kane612]

look ma, no hairs...

hey now, it's worth it.

 

[Jason Sypher]

I know, I know!

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

look ma, no hairs...

I've had an old set of weichs on for almost a week and they are growing on me. The low tension is nice and the bass really resonates. Although I miss the gut punch, they amplify very well and really sing under the stick.


Knowing that they are maintenance free is a plus.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

look ma, no hairs...

Leave my coiffure out of this.

 

[Jason Sypher]

I've been very happy with the Spiros and I get a lot of compliments on the sound of the bass in performance and in the studio. I've been quite surprised how well I've adapted, even to the sustain, even to the middle registers on the G string. I occasionally listen to the two recording I made with steel and gut. The gut is warmer but the steels have qualities as well. I'm transcribing some LeFaro which I thought would be painful or at least unsatisfying on steels, not so. It's a good sound when played well and in tune. It's ballsy and bassy and you can get a lot from a note. Gut may have the front end advantage but Spiros have the tail and you can get a lot of music happening with the notes finish.

 

[JtheJazzMan]

I can report Weich E & G, Solo tuned to A & D works quite well. The solo G wasnt matching the others quite so well - too thin. See how this combo goes for a while.

 

[rdwhit]

Anybody else find mittels to be too weak? Even wth my healthy string height (10mm across EADG). The g string is borderline unacceptable to my ear, D string also too weak. A not bad, but could be better. E, near perfection, but makes me wonder what a stark feels like....

You weich users are crazy... i dont think i could ever play a string that small......

Tell John Goldsby that

 

[rdwhit]

Well, I mean lots of good players including John like weichs. Your bass itself might not like weichs. To each his own.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Tell John Goldsby that

I have, many times. He teases me for having "barbed wire" on my basses, I rag him for playing "sissy strings"... right before I hand him whichever bass he's borrowing for the next couple of weeks and tell him to put whatever he wants on it. He sounds brilliant with weichs. I don't. That recording he made at the Nachbar with one of my old basses still slays me. Homey can play!

 

[Kai Sanchez]

I have, many times. He teases me for having "barbed wire" on my basses, I rag him for playing "sissy strings"... right before I hand him whichever bass he's borrowing for the next couple of weeks and tell him to put whatever he wants on it. He sounds brilliant with weichs. I don't. That recording he made at the Nachbar with one of my old basses still slays me. Homey can play!

But those are mittels on that CD right?

 

[Mike Goodbar]

Yeah, I've got the Spiro itch now too (isn't there an ointment for that?).

For the past couple of years, my playing has delineated itself into two distinct seasons; orchestral in the fall/winter/spring and jazz in the summer. With the dearth of jazz gigs in my area, the paths rarely cross (save for a summer pops concert or two), so the need for a "hybrid" string has become moot.

So, after my last symphony concert (Strauss's Don Juan no less) on May 7, on go a fresh set of Spiro Mittels. I'm going tip my toe in the h20 by starting with just the E and A and see how they sound with the Pirazzi D and G.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

But those are mittels on that CD right?

Honestly, I can't remember. Whatever they are, they sound like John on that CD.

 

[Jason Sypher]

Yeah, I've got the Spiro itch now too (isn't there an ointment for that?).

For the past couple of years, my playing has delineated itself into two distinct seasons; orchestral in the fall/winter/spring and jazz in the summer. With the dearth of jazz gigs in my area, the paths rarely cross (save for a summer pops concert or two), so the need for a "hybrid" string has become moot.

So, after my last symphony concert (Strauss's Don Juan no less) on May 7, on go a fresh set of Spiro Mittels. I'm going tip my toe in the h20 by starting with just the E and A and see how they sound with the Pirazzi D and G.

Why a fresh set when you can buy a nice worn in set without the break in period?

 

[drurb]

Why a fresh set when you can buy a nice worn in set without the break in period?

Hmmm... an idea for a new service! People pay good money for new "worn-in" jeans. Why not new "worn in" Spiros. Imagine a standardized break-in protocol and the buyer receives his/her Spiros after his/her specified period.

Thus, Opt-SpirocoresTM​ are born!

Apply to be a "break-in" player at Link Removed

 

[Jason Sypher]

Acid washed Spiros

 

[Eric Swanson]

My wife and daughter are out of town for a few days. I just read this whole thread.

The 30-year-old Weichs stuffed into my piano bench are calling to me.



I have been so happy, but now...

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

I played with a Maynard Ferguson tribute band tonight that was LOUD. The weichs were easy to play at some up tempos because they speak quickly and have just enough midrange snap to cut through. I've also enjoyed them on trio gigs.
It's been said that spirocores are the one players return to during all the experimentation and it's been that way with me. My feeling is to finally go down the isle with them and forsake all others. They do SO much right that it seems foolish to consider anything else.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

30-year-old Weichs

Nice. Wonder what the street price was on that set.