Double Bass Substitute for Spiro weich G?

[shepdave]

I play an Upton Bostonian (7/8) currently strung with Spirocore weich 42s. In the last couple of months it developed a fingerboard buzz at a slightly flat B played on the G string.

Yesterday I took the bass to Tom Wolf in The Plains, VA for some setup work and to try to eliminate that buzz. Tom's right-hand guy Jacob fixed my bridge placement and height adjustment and restored my bass's singing voice after I messed it up a bit installing a pickup.

But then Tom and Jacob worked for over an hour and a half trying to get that fingerboard buzz out of there. Although they reduced it considerably, they were unable to completely eliminate it.

Today Tom emailed me about the buzz. He said that he had seen another similar situation recently on a bass strung with Spiro weichs. In frustration, he said, they swapped out the G string and the buzz went away.

So my question is: what would be a reasonable substitute for a Spiro weich G? I am not an orchestral player, but I do play arco sometimes--mostly in pit combos for musicals. Most of the time I'd be playing pizz--jazz and pop. I like the clear sound of my current G; except for the buzz, it's ideal.

Any suggestions?

 

[elmer]

Pirastro Perpetual G

 

[DoubleMIDI]

It might only be this string, not all of them produced ever.
If you describe the situation to Thomastik you might get a free replacement you can try. If this one has the same problem you can still change to a different string type.

 

[Don Hergert]

You mention you're using a S42 Weich set. If your DB is a 3/4 size, ave you tried a 3885 Weich G?

The 3885 should be slightly thicker and slightly higher tension (3885 G = .111" vs. S42 G =.107" as measured by our own @TroyK in this sticky thread).

Hope that helps...

 

[TroyK]

In theory, maybe a 3885 Weich, but I don't know on a 7/8 bass.

The S42 Mittel G string seems to actually have less tension than the 3885 Weich G and I like it better. That might be an option for you.

As @DoubleMIDI suggested, Thomastik might replace it if it is a string issue. Perpetual is a good suggestion too.

Pirastro Jazzer G could be worth trying too. I might have one, if you want me to check.

Using something else on G with Spirocores is practically a tradition, people have tried lots of things, but usually they want them to be less bright. If you like the tone you get from the Spirocore, then these are the best suggestions, I think.

 

[shepdave]

Thanks, folks. I may try Thomastik, see what they say. These strings are about 5 months old—not brand new, but shouldn’t really be worn out yet either.

I think with the 7/8 size bass I’d probably stick with the S42 length. I do appreciate everybody’s quick response.

 

[TroyK]

5 month old Spirocores are toddlers, if you hate them as they age, you should get another 5 years out of them. See if Thomastik will send you a replacement.

 

[Earl]

I just played a house bass on a tour with a weich G that buzzed like crazy. Replaced it with a string I brought and no more buzz.

 

[shepdave]

I swapped strings this evening: took off the Spiro weich G and put a Perpetual mittel G on in its place.

All hints of buzzing have disappeared. Thank you all for the tips!

PS: No response back from Thomastik, almost two weeks after I emailed them. I got an initial reply acknowledging my query, but that was it.

 

[Paul New]

This probably doesn’t apply but if it turns out that it does…My bass has a twangy G string. Spiros, Evahs, even the Oliv, all sound like a banjo string. Setup, bosrd dressing, no help. The EAD strings sound good with anything on.

So I finally tried a Jargar arco string after seeing Herve test a set. That was the trick! Haven’t tried other arco strings so it vould be that any damped string would work.

 

[Keith Rawlings]

Try an Oliv G string.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

I guess the soundpost is too close to the bridge foot…

 

[Francois Blais]

This probably doesn’t apply but if it turns out that it does…My bass has a twangy G string. Spiros, Evahs, even the Oliv, all sound like a banjo string. [snip]

Try an Oliv G string.

Seems he already tried that one.

 

[Paul New]

I might need the soundpost adjustment, but for now the Jargar Dolce is working great.

i was disappointed that the Oliv didn’t not work on this bass, had high expectations.

 

[Earl]

This probably doesn’t apply but if it turns out that it does…My bass has a twangy G string. Spiros, Evahs, even the Oliv, all sound like a banjo string. Setup, bosrd dressing, no help. The EAD strings sound good with anything on.

So I finally tried a Jargar arco string after seeing Herve test a set. That was the trick! Haven’t tried other arco strings so it vould be that any damped string would work.

I love the Jargar Dolce G! I had the twang problem with my D string and no amount of soundpost tweaking helped. Put on a Jargar Dolce D and no twang in sight.

 

[Keith Rawlings]

Seems he already tried that one.

That message was meant for the OP

 

[anokaybassist]

If you don't mind spending the extra dough, the Pirastro Olive G is fantastic. But gut strings are pricey, the cheaper route would be putting an Evah Pirazzi G, that seems to blend well with the Spiros. Oh nvm you tried the Olive G already, honestly the Eudoxa G is pretty damn good IMO. I heard the Pirastro slap guts are pretty good too.

 

[Francois Blais]

That message was meant for the OP

Sorry, I stand corrected, thanks!
Sometimes difficult to follow when several people are involved in the discussion!

 

[Keith Rawlings]

Sorry, I stand corrected, thanks!
Sometimes difficult to follow when several people are involved in the discussion!

No problem. I love the Oliv G. I’m actually thinking about buying a new one for my carved bass as my old used one I bought here on Talkbass years ago is finally getting some spacing between the windings after years of usage. The G and D I have on it now are Flexocore Deluxe strings and they’re ok pizz and nice under the bow; but nowhere near how good the Oliv sounded on my old bass.

 

[Phil Rowan]

FWIW, and I'm not sure I've seen this mentioned, but I restrung my Spiro Weich G with the ball end facing out in the tailpiece, and it matches the Weich A and D way better. Much more even set (with a Mittell E), not only in feel but also in sound. Less twang and more pop, IME. I'll add that recent sound post adjustment has made things even better. Just my 2 cents, YMMV, etc. of course.