Double Bass String Spacing Question

[William Hoffman]

what effect does string spacing have on how loud the bass sounds?

Chuck Traeger say in his book that the closer the strings are the more volume the bass will have.

does anybody have any experience with that?

 

[Dr Rod]

what effect does string spacing have on how loud the bass sounds?

Chuck Traeger say in his book that the closer the strings are the more volume the bass will have.

does anybody have any experience with that?

I have never noticed such a result from changing the spacing. Maybe others have.

 

[Bijoux]

what effect does string spacing have on how loud the bass sounds?

Chuck Traeger say in his book that the closer the strings are the more volume the bass will have.

does anybody have any experience with that?

I heard something along those lines, but I am thinking you can get them 1 or 2 mm closer or anywhere around that neighborhood, and how much louder can your bass really be?
I've had the chance to play various basses and compare them at a few different shops, after hours at the NAMM show few years back, At the symphony, with students and my teachers as well. My personal impression is that some basses are definitely quiet, but between a bass that has a good sound and it's kind of average to an awesome loud bass there is not much difference, IMHO.
getting the strings closer to me feels uncomfortable, and I don't think I can play as well. So to compromise with that how much more volume am I really getting out of the deal?

 

[sjd007]

On a slightly tangential tack... I have tuned the low string on my 5 string to a C. For tuning a B would be more consistent with the intervals between the other strings. Is there any great preference in the educated 5 string world for C or B tuning??

 

[Dr Rod]

On a slightly tangential tack... I have tuned the low string on my 5 string to a C. For tuning a B would be more consistent with the intervals between the other strings. Is there any great preference in the educated 5 string world for C or B tuning??

It's really nice to have the B, and your fingering patterns remain the same (octaves, fifths etc)

 

[sjd007]

Cool, I'll give it a try. If it is a bit too "flappy" I might have to go back to C, but being 4/4 scale bass should be ok.

"How low can you go!"

 

[Dr Rod]

Cool, I'll give it a try. If it is a bit too "flappy" I might have to go back to C, but being 4/4 scale bass should be ok.

"How low can you go!"

the flabbyness has more to do with the brand and type of string, thin flexible strings will be unsatisfactory for me too. I use spirocore stark, you can order it at juststrings.com

 

[sjd007]

And... just as I was about to go and sniff around the "strings" posts you give me a head start. Mine are still the factory ones (presumably cheap, and no idea what brand) I'll have a read about the spiro starks. Cheers.

 

[Dr Rod]

I'll have a read about the spiro starks. Cheers.

there might be other options too

 

[vt picker]

what effect does string spacing have on how loud the bass sounds?

Chuck Traeger say in his book that the closer the strings are the more volume the bass will have.

does anybody have any experience with that?

i moved my strings in because of this, not sure i noticed the volume difference; but it was easier to play, and i got less buzz on the E (probably from my attack). moved the A and E in (G and D were ok). A moved in ~3mm, and E moved in ~5mm.