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Double Bass Strings comparable to Velvet Anima's

wellso74

wellso74

Jan 8, 2010
692
476
Tallahassee, Florida
www.wellsgordonmusic.com
#1
I'm throwing this out there to see what folks think. I have been a long time user of Velvet Animas- I think they are great- mod. def my favorite string ever. I play both jazz and classical. I would not use these string if I had to play a solo piece- concerto , but in a orchestra section- they have been fine-
this summer has been a disaster in regards to these strings- I replaced my old ones- as a yearly routine thing and the whole set were bad- breaking, unraveling very poorly made.
I purchased individual strings to replace those- and they are going as well- I went to my luthier and we compensated the bridge and nut just to be on the safe side- the strings are still crapping out. Velvet has been sent me a new set- which I should be receiving any day.
However, if my new set shows the same quality- I will have to look for a new string- anyone have any suggestions? I like Eudoxa, not tried olive and to be honest- I really do not want to shell out $500-600 for strings.
SO--- what other strings feel and behave like Velvet Anima's?
 
#2
Hi
I used to play Animas an like them very well. I never had problems with my set. I played Eudoxa for some months. They are more dark compared to the Animas. Very nice tot bow.
An alternative for Animas? I would say Evah Weich. And even better: Evah Weich with Oliv G.
I like Evah better with the bow. I think they bow better then the Animas (I had a bit trouble to bow the Anima G). Pizz i like both Animas and Evah Weich. Both have a nice pizz sound.
 
#3
I play the Velvet compas 180's, and have also had some quality control issues. They have really great customer service, and if you have a problem with a string and send it back to them, they often replace it without any trouble. If you're changing strings and need one NOW though, that isn't always an option.

I know a couple of guys who use Dominants and say they are similar, but I don't have a lot of experience with them on bass. I used to play violin and they were great, and the bass strings are definitely not $500-600 a set. Evahs are a great "crossover" string too, so I would second that recommendation.
 
#4
Some Anima ex-pats seem to dig the perlon-core (evah, zyex) route.
I tried innovation goldenslaps, which feel like Animas but sound nothing close. Very low tension steel core are very quiet. Gut is no free lunch, durability wise. Does anyone know if Velvet Blue have less durability issues?

Animas are kinda weird strings. I think its just unfair to expect silk-on-copper to have the durability of steel strings. I have definitely bought fresh packs with issues right out the box (breakage, unwinding), but they were always replaced quickly by Nuno at Velvet. Sometimes running to David Gage to buy replacements in emergency situations has been spendy, and I take spares to gigs, but I'm a professional musician who plays for a living so its just worth it for me to play awesome strings day in and day out. Also, careful installing these strings! Improper installation where a lot of issues begin, IME....
 
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#5
I haven't found any string that sounds like Animas. Guts over dead Spiros are close, but not as majestic. Evah Weichs are their polar opposite, to my ear, and much less supple. That's why I keep dealing with their corroding, rattling fingerboard eating fragile BS.

For the longest time I stayed away from Velvets. I knew I was being smart, but now I'm hooked. Buzzing Animas on an old carved Saxon and a used set of Garbos in the drawer for backup. Send help, and medication.
 
#6
KUNGfuSHERIFF said:
I haven't found any string that sounds like Animas. Guts over dead Spiros are close, but not as majestic. Evah Weichs are their polar opposite, to my ear, and much less supple. That's why I keep dealing with their corroding, rattling fingerboard eating fragile BS.

For the longest time I stayed away from Velvets. I knew I was being smart, but now I'm hooked. Buzzing Animas on an old carved Saxon and a used set of Garbos in the drawer for backup. Send help, and medication.
Click to expand...

There's no cure for what ails you, buddy, you'll just have to ride it out! ;)
 
#9
Some of my long-time Animas friends like Zyex. Dominants are higher tension (I couldn't play them for very long) and so are Evah's, but I don't really know about the weichs (or should I say "VIGH-shess"?). I'm encouraged that you have no problem playing Animas in an orchestra section.
 

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