Double Bass Strings for my new EUB?

[Eric Grossman]

I just bought a new (for me) NS CR4M, from a fellow TBer. I'm overcome by excitement. I can't wait for it's arrival.

What I'd like to be able to do, is to accomplish both a warm fretless tone, with some "sing", and also a reasonable Jazz upright tone, with some growl.

I don't want to get into the whole "you can't get an acoustic tone with an EUB" conversation. I know that's the case. I know what I'm getting. I'm just unfamiliar with upright strings. Can you guys suggest strings that will help me with my goals? What sets or combo sets would you consider?

Thanks everyone.

 

[Francois Blais]

I don't know if they'd fit your instrument, but I'm thinking of Corelli strings.
Since this seems to be your first venture into upright playing, maybe the medium gauge nickel ones would be perfect for you.
(their medium gauge is very light, much more than other companies' offerings)
The regular lenght set is the 380M series.
But, as I said, I'm not sure if the lenght is okay.
I suggest you ask Bob Gollihur about this.
I'm sure he can answer you, as he's a dealer of both NS and Corelli products.

Regards,
François

 

[Eric Grossman]

Thank you Francois. I will ask Bob, but I'm still interested in everyone else's opinions.

 

[endorka]

First of all, it may be that you are lucky and the bass arrives with decent strings...

Strings aside, the main thing I have found with my NS Wav bass about getting a decent jazz DB tone is to ensure you have it on the right settings. This entails using the piezo pickup in "arco" mode. The Wav doesn't have a magnetic pickup, but if your EUB does, it would be worth switching it off initially, as I beleive the magnetic pickup adds to the fretless bass guitar sound. Switching the piezo to "pizz" mode makes my Wav sound like fretless bass guitar.

I've used flexocore strings, which were quite thumpy, but I found there was too little sustain for playing in jazz duos e.g. bass + piano or bass + guitar. There just wasn't enough "bass energy" as the notes died too quickly and I felt the need to overplay to compensate. Not good.

I currently have the helicore hybrid mediums and they are quite good, less work in the duo situation mentioned above. It is also possible to get a good "mwahh" thing happening with them. Worth a try I would say.

Jennifer

 

[Eric Grossman]

Thanks Jennifer.

 

[ricobasso]

I haven't experimented with my EUB but on my fretless BG the nasal "mmmwaa" thing seems to depend on having a low action. I think it's to do with the angle the string leaves the fingerboard from under your fingertip. I'd be interested to hear from others if it depends on the strings too.

 

[Francois Blais]

Both the strings and the setup, I'd say.
But also the player, of course!

 

[endorka]

I haven't experimented with my EUB but on my fretless BG the nasal "mmmwaa" thing seems to depend on having a low action. I think it's to do with the angle the string leaves the fingerboard from under your fingertip. I'd be interested to hear from others if it depends on the strings too.

Definitely. I had the action really high on my EUB for a while, and the mwah thing was certainly decreases. The sound was definitely chunkier. Also certain tonal characteristics can affect it, for example using the pseudo-valve distortion "warm" effect on my amp tends to emphasise it.

Jennifer

 

[Eric Grossman]

Bump! Still hoping for more advice.

 

[Bob Gollihur]

...What I'd like to be able to do, is to accomplish both a warm fretless tone, with some "sing", and also a reasonable Jazz upright tone, with some growl....

Unless you adjust the bass action between sessions, each may be a bit of a compromise. You need reasonably low action to get the warm fretless tone, with some "sing", but higher action for a true reasonable Jazz upright tone.

There are a number of strings that may be able to get you there, but knowing whether you intend to bow can make a difference, too, and since the bass has a magnetic pickup, if you want to take advantage of that it can restrict your string choices.

I'll confirm Francois' comment though recommend the Corelli 370 tungsten strings, they'll give you the mwah with the right action, and they are lower tension so you can more easily partially press and roll them to achieve that sound. They'll also produce a bigger URB jazz sound, though with the CR4M I'd pluck them a little further up the fingerboard for the fatter sound.

That said, Spirocores (weichs, probably, given your stated needs) could give you a bit more growl, though their somewhat scratchy bowed character (if you plan to) could get on your nerves as the bridge piezos faithfully reproduce it.

 

[Eric Grossman]

Thanks Bob, and everyone else. This is really good stuff. At this point, I'm not going to be bowing. I haven't played UB in years, and I want to really get my pizzicato manageable for gigging.

Where might I find Corelli 370 tungsten or Spirocores, and what should I expect to pay for them? Thanks again.

 

[Eric Grossman]

Also, would you suggest the mediums for the Corellis?

 

[Bob Gollihur]

Also, would you suggest the mediums for the Corellis?

I prefer the 370F for their slightly more resistance, though since you're not going to be bowing, their 370M (mediums, but lightest Corelli gauge) would be ok, too.