Double Bass String ID help

[JC Pat]

I bought an old Kay with some strings I can’t identify. I looked on Gollihur’s website but they don’t seem to be on there. Can anyone help ID these strings? Thanks

 

[DoubleMIDI]

I would say some cheap Chinese/asian Spirocore-mimicking strings.
At least with a helical steel core.

 

[Francois Blais]

Or maybe Red Labels?

 

[TroyK]

I'm pretty sure they are Super Sensitive Red Labels. Were on most of the school basses in the US.

 

[Francois Blais]

On sale at the moment:
https://gollihurmusic.com/super-sensitive-red-label-upright-bass-strings/

 

[PBandJazzBass]

You might want to try different strings, if you can. Red Labels are stiff and harsh sounding.

Also, it might be worth having a luthier check the bass bar. Old Kay’s are notorious for bass bars coming loose under the tension of steel strings.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Or maybe Red Labels?

Not on my radar, thanks Francois.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

They’re definitely Red Labels. There are basses in schools here in the U.S. that have probably had the same sets on for 30+ years they are a demon I’m quite familiar with.

 

[JC Pat]

Thanks for all of the great feedback! Red Labels it is. They were really stiff (it also didn't help the action was about 15mm on all strings) and I won't be putting them back on. I'm always curious about strings I can't ID. This bass has been through the ringer but sounds great in that old Kay sort of way.

 

[Francois Blais]

Thanks for the followup and enjoy the bass!