Double Bass Spirocores... dammit

[Martin Beer]

This is a very weird perspective...and I don't disagree.

We talk about Spirocores and Guts as being opposite ends of a spectrum, but I feel like they share something in common that is missing from a lot of strings.

I read this and initially thought "what?", but thinking about it, with some of the older guys who switched, there's a lot of discussion and uncertainty about precisely the point in their discography they made the change at, and the recordings are right there. There are things you can do with one and not the other (both ways), but if you're not going for either of those they can fill many of the same roles.

 

[Jason Sypher]

As my own little add-on to this point, I've said it before and I'll say it again: in terms of them amplifying every last bit of information you put into them, giving back everything you give them and more, Spirocores are the most gut-like string. Especially under the bow.

Some other strings might sound or feel closer to guts, but Spiros are the only ones that respond like guts.

You can get so many sounds out of them, and yes, even gut thump.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

At least two greats (Haden and Gomez) put a gut (Golden Spiral) D and G atop Mittel A and E and it was beautiful. I think common traits of Spirocores and guts are responsiveness, punch and just the way they get the bass moving. Might be more and others may disagree but these are my thoughts before coffee.

 

[Jason Sypher]

At least two greats (Haden and Gomez) put a gut (Golden Spiral) D and G atop Mittel A and E and it was beautiful. I think common traits of Spirocores and guts are responsiveness, punch and just the way they get the bass moving. Might be more and others may disagree but these are my thoughts before coffee.

My reason for a gut D and G were because they sounded more bassy, more woody, more organic. There was a certain bark that had an animalistic quality that I couldn’t get with steels.

 

[Eli Brockway]

My reason for a gut D and G were because they sounded more bassy, more woody, more organic. There was a certain bark that had an animalistic quality that I couldn’t get with steels.

That's almost literally what Charlie Haden said in a magazine interview once about why he kept guts on top and then spiros on the bottom, isn't it?

 

[Jeff Kissell]

I just replaced a yearish old, full set of Perpetuals (stark D&G) with a full set of used S43 Spirocore solos. It seems I have embraced the solo tuned orchestra lifestyle yet again. The new takeaway is that the lil’ skimpy G and D diameters don’t seem to bother me like in times past, we’ll see.
I have ordered an S42 weich G to try with this set as the tension seems to be a perfect match to the E,A,D but the set is pretty sweet as is.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

For about the last 6 months, I went on an experimenting frenzy after mostly using S42 Spirocores for the previous 2.5 years.

First, regular Perpetuals with a Spiro Weich (S42) E string. Nice sound, not enough oomph. Then 3/4 Spiro Weichs. Just something about them I didn’t care for, but I could never put my finger on it. Gave them a little over 2 months, which I think is fair. After that, Evah Weichs over Evah Mittel E. LOVED the acoustic sound, but gigs were hit or miss and I couldn’t get the A string to respond how I wanted.

And earlier this week…back to my 3 year old set of S42 Spirocore Mittels…

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

^^^^ The above post is a perfect example of why I am done messing around with strings. With a good set of Spiros (or in my case, 3 Dominants over a spiro stark), the real answer is in our ears, hands, and technique. Everything needed to make great music is already in the strings. We just have to learn how to dig it out and control it.

 

[GeeDeeAitch]

I put spiros on my backup while my main fiddle is in the shop. Touched them with the bow and was, like, 'Oh, so that's what's been going on with all those basses I like.'

Can you imagine my frustration? I was looking forward to decades of trying different strings and now I can just stick with spiros. They won't even wear out.

 

[Selim]

That's almost literally what Charlie Haden said in a magazine interview once about why he kept guts on top and then spiros on the bottom, isn't it?

I remember an interview where he talked about the sound as “skin on skin”

 

[PBandJazzBass]

^^^^ The above post is a perfect example of why I am done messing around with strings. With a good set of Spiros (or in my case, 3 Dominants over a spiro stark)

Would you leave them on forever if you never had to change them? Assuming they maintain tuning stability and clear sound.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Would you leave them on forever if you never had to change them? Assuming they maintain tuning stability and clear sound.

Yes!

 

[PBandJazzBass]

Yes!

Not changing strings all the time? Interesting concept

 

[Jeff Kissell]

I just replaced a yearish old, full set of Perpetuals (stark D&G) with a full set of used S43 Spirocore solos. It seems I have embraced the solo tuned orchestra lifestyle yet again. The new takeaway is that the lil’ skimpy G and D diameters don’t seem to bother me like in times past, we’ll see.
I have ordered an S42 weich G to try with this set as the tension seems to be a perfect match to the E,A,D but the set is pretty sweet as is.

update-
I swapped the new S42 weich G for the S43 A(G). Tension is a great match and ever it is so slightly less whiney but somehow the original string from the set seemed to fit better overall. The full set tension feels just a little weak but it's totally useable and the bass has a nice fullness. I like them at least as much as the Perpetuals they replaced... however...
I also ordered a new, full set of 3886 (3/4) solos and installed them last night. Holy crap!! The tension is perfect. Still less than the Perpetuals but more bloom than the S43s. The bass is singing and resonating like the gut sets I have as my mental reference. They are a little harsh sounding with the bow ATM but that's mostly technique and newness. I expect it will dissipate with a couple days of practice. I've been hearing a different sound in my head these days and I think I've found it. A combination of that Spirocore sound with the snap and bloom of the lower tension my bass is happiest with.

 

[DanL]

update-
I swapped the new S42 weich G for the S43 A(G). Tension is a great match and ever it is so slightly less whiney but somehow the original string from the set seemed to fit better overall. The full set tension feels just a little weak but it's totally useable and the bass has a nice fullness. I like them at least as much as the Perpetuals they replaced... however...
I also ordered a new, full set of 3886 (3/4) solos and installed them last night. Holy crap!! The tension is perfect. Still less than the Perpetuals but more bloom than the S43s. The bass is singing and resonating like the gut sets I have as my mental reference. They are a little harsh sounding with the bow ATM but that's mostly technique and newness. I expect it will dissipate with a couple days of practice. I've been hearing a different sound in my head these days and I think I've found it. A combination of that Spirocore sound with the snap and bloom of the lower tension my bass is happiest with.

Hey Jeff - How are things working out for you after a few months with your full Solo Set of Spirocor's? I am contemplating a similar move...

 

[Jeff Kissell]

Hey Jeff - How are things working out for you after a few months with your full Solo Set of Spirocor's? I am contemplating a similar move...

They are still on the bass and going strong. They settled in really nicely and the tension is great. I put the Perpetuals back on for a few days but ended up back with the 3886 solo set pretty quickly.
I’ve had to adapt my technique a bit to minimize a tendency to get whiny but I’ve also realized I have that issue with all steel core strings regardless of the tension.

 

[DanL]

what types of music are you playing? I am primarily playing with a couple of swing bands and music theater shows - I recently played a more "orchestral" Christmas show at a very large church in the area... which got me to thinking about a string change...
I felt during those performances that I could not hear myself very well at all when playing on my G & D strings (arco).
I have Perpetuals on top (G and D) and Spirocor (light gauge) on the bottom (A and E w/ C Extension).
I've been less happy with the Perpetuals over the past few of months...

 

[Paul New]

When I need that sound I just pick up my banjo.

 

[garrett2]

When I need that sound I just pick up my banjo.

I love Spiros. But they would definitely be the string of choice for a bass banjo.

 

[Jason Sypher]

Spiros can do it all. The rest is up to you. Nobody likes to admit that but it is 100% true.