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Double Bass Strings for tango.

NickyBass

NickyBass

Supporting Member
Nov 28, 2005
6,518
4,112
Southern New Jersey
#1
I've been searching around TB for more info and I can't seem to find what I'm looking for. What strings are the tango guys playing?

I mainly play jazz and salsa, so I currently use Spirocores. However, I want to find something that is mellower and, while I'm at it, maybe a little easier to bow.

What strings should I look into? What is the 'standard' tango string set?
 
#2
As for preferences, I like a medium to low tension string (the Evahs are a bit tighter than I like) and I like something about the gauge (or maybe a touch thicker than) the Spiro solos. I liked the Obligatos, but didn't like the 'rolling.' I can live with that if that is the best tonal option, though. The Dominants are cool, too, but they seem finicky around the pegbox/tuners. (breakage.) I tried FCS and didn't love the feel. I felt like I was working too hard to get the right pizz tone. But that was when I was playing mostly pizz.

I'm not too concerned about keeping a jazz tone. I was hoping to retain that, but have come to realize that that might not be possible.
 
#3
I took a few short videos when I was in Bueno Aires to try to copp their arco technique, I'll see if I can id the strings from those, for what it's worth.

Good question! It's unusually go to get one that I'm pretty sure we've never got before.
 
#4
I think the Evah Weichs would be great. Fat tone for the pizz, sweet tone for the arco. Yes, I've played tango. ;o) I think it would work well.

Oh wait... you maybe want less tension. Well.... expensive, but I think a full gut set would be spectacular. Loud acoustically, and if you use something like Gamuts, you would have everything covered.
 
#5
I may end up trying the Evah solos. They seem to have a pretty good rep as a 'hybrid string' I'm wondering how much less tension the solos have(?)

The other thing I am considering is the Velvet 180's. They seem to fit the bill pretty well too.

I would love to try Belcantos, but they don't seem to have high marks for pizz. I wouldn't be opposed to that, but I'm not sure I want to invest the money if the Evah solos have better tension....more research.......
 
#7
I would recommend Innovation 140B (Braided). Less tension than Evah Weich, similar construchtion, a bit brighter than Evahs. They bow very well and they are cheap. E and A need some time to open up with sustain when pizzed, but you can use Spiro Weich as a replacement if you don't want to wait. They also don't stretch as much as Evahs initially.

The Compas 180 are very "front up" bowed a bit towards aggressive if not bowed very well, not good for tango, I think.
The 140B is softer in sound. I would play them in a tango group if I had one.
 
#8
NickyBass said:
I may end up trying the Evah solos. They seem to have a pretty good rep as a 'hybrid string' I'm wondering how much less tension the solos have(?)...
Click to expand...

Do the tango guys... what do they play anyway? If you're playing primarily music for dancing you might be set with the Spiros, imho, good punch, definition. I do tango too, on the Gamuts, and it seems work well. But if you are looking for lower tension, Evah solos would have to be tuned down a whole note to orchestra pitch. The Red Mitchell 5th tuning set is very nice for tango, too...
 
#9
I know tango players like to play basslines arco (I'd like to know more about when they choose to do one or another, but that's a different discussion) and for that "arco in the style of pizz" type of playing, spiros are going to be able to draw a sharp and punchy articulation very easily.
 
#11
What kind of rosin and bow hair are you guys using for Spiros? I have a Marco Raposo bow with black hair and am currently using Pops. I can get a decent arco tone, but it isn't as mellow as I'd like. I can get the bass to speak, but staccato takes a bit of work with my current setup. My bass is a carved Juzek.
 
#17
Well, I'm just going to jump in and try a few things on my bass. It's funny because if you research hard enough, you will find something 'wrong' with every string set. One is too hard to install, breaks if you wrap the non-textiled part around the post and turns your fingers green. Another is too taut and has a 'ping' that may or may not be desirable. One sounds great with the bow, but the E and A lack authority when pizz'ed. Another is perfect except for a slight 'roll' in them. Man, it's enough to make you crazy. (Fun trivia: Guess which strings I was talking about above. Shouldn't be too hard.) ;)

In the end, the Spiros may win out, but I'm going to try a few other sets just to see for myself.
 
#18
Eric Hochberg said:
Sorry, I don't understand equating a certain string with a style of music. It seems like it's a matter of the particular sound you are going for and which combination of your bass, setup and strings can get you there.
Click to expand...

I'm really just looking for ideas to try. I thought it would make sense to start with what tango musicians are using and go from there. Kind of like starting with Spirocores for jazz or salsa and deciding once they are on the bass...instead of starting with Passiones for jazz. MIght as well start with the 'standard,' and then decide what I like and don't like about them. I know that it is the archer and not the arrow, but it seems logical, to me, to start by seeing what other guys in the genre use. That doesn't mean that I will settle on them...it's just something to try.
 

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