That is interesting. I never thought I would keep my eyes open for brighter sounding strings... Best stick with Spirocores 
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Double Bass Thomastic Spirocore, from birth to death.
- Thread starter Uncletoad
- Start date
Brand new set of Spirocore Solos put on the German/Tyrolean flatback today. Not quite as twangy as I had expected. Lets see how long they last...
- May 6, 2003
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- Proprietor Fifth Avenue Fret Shop. Technical Editor Bass Gear Magazine
I love spiro solos. I wish they were louder on the queen, I'd use them. The bass sounds great with that tension.
I had to get used to the tension. Its easy to overplay them(I had an older D,G Solo on before with Weich E,A). They are a bit darker than Mittels. Bow nicely too. On this bass(which has a fairly thin top) they work well.
- May 6, 2003
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- Proprietor Fifth Avenue Fret Shop. Technical Editor Bass Gear Magazine
I really love them on the bow. If that's all I did I'd probably use them myself. I have a set laying around for just that. If I ever get a week or so off gigs they are going on for some shed fun.
I can't get them to bark on the louder more percussive gigs like the mitts do. They don't project the same either. But the solos bring out this rich dark tamber in my bass that makes it clear it's old as hell.
I can't get them to bark on the louder more percussive gigs like the mitts do. They don't project the same either. But the solos bring out this rich dark tamber in my bass that makes it clear it's old as hell.
- May 6, 2003
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- Proprietor Fifth Avenue Fret Shop. Technical Editor Bass Gear Magazine
Progris Riport:
Haven't visited this thread in a bit. Reminded of it by another thread. Looks like I've had this spiro set on for 6+ months. The E is a Mittel, it's all mittels now although it started as a Stark E on the bottom.
The strings just sound great right now. The E is starting to die off and could/should go sometime soon but the rest of them are as good as Spiros get.
I have noticed that the G string is still a pizz demon from time to time but the arco has settled in much better. I like the projection of that spiro better than most strings under the bow. For me anyway. The pizz issue on the G for me at times is complicated by my attack angle with my pizz finger. If I get my pizz hand elbow out and around front of the bass I fire the string more in parallel with the fingerboard arch rather than into the fingerboard which happens when I get lazy and keep my arm more in line with the A or D strings firing point.
See, I think the G fires off big with a wide arc unlike your average DOA string like an Obligato. If the strings are low it bangs into the board through it's rotation. So it buzzes and looses it's power and low end. If you get the string up high enough and fire it so that it rotates in its elliptical fashion parallel to the board rather than into it then it will speak clearly with plenty of dark and authority.
This set of strings has played gigs all acoustic doing Old American Songbook stuff all the way to super high volume techno/house/trance stuff and sound great in all those settings.
It's always a compromise. Gotta learn what you can live with and live without.
End Progris Riport.
Haven't visited this thread in a bit. Reminded of it by another thread. Looks like I've had this spiro set on for 6+ months. The E is a Mittel, it's all mittels now although it started as a Stark E on the bottom.
The strings just sound great right now. The E is starting to die off and could/should go sometime soon but the rest of them are as good as Spiros get.
I have noticed that the G string is still a pizz demon from time to time but the arco has settled in much better. I like the projection of that spiro better than most strings under the bow. For me anyway. The pizz issue on the G for me at times is complicated by my attack angle with my pizz finger. If I get my pizz hand elbow out and around front of the bass I fire the string more in parallel with the fingerboard arch rather than into the fingerboard which happens when I get lazy and keep my arm more in line with the A or D strings firing point.
See, I think the G fires off big with a wide arc unlike your average DOA string like an Obligato. If the strings are low it bangs into the board through it's rotation. So it buzzes and looses it's power and low end. If you get the string up high enough and fire it so that it rotates in its elliptical fashion parallel to the board rather than into it then it will speak clearly with plenty of dark and authority.
This set of strings has played gigs all acoustic doing Old American Songbook stuff all the way to super high volume techno/house/trance stuff and sound great in all those settings.
It's always a compromise. Gotta learn what you can live with and live without.
End Progris Riport.
Hi guys.
I know there's a lot of threads about spiro solos at orch tuning out there already but I really wanted to ask a few questions to guys (like uncletoad) who have experience with them.
It seems to me that they could be the 'hybrid' spirocore string. I'm using EP wiechs and really like them. Of course I still miss the spiro pizz, feel of steel strings and long life. I also like low tension. In fact I love the belcantos but can't make them work though an amp on a jazz gig. I also struggle with the orch spiros on orchestra gigs. So far EP wiechs are the solution.However, would you guys recommend the spiro solos at orch pitch for hybrid use?
Thanks Geoff
I know there's a lot of threads about spiro solos at orch tuning out there already but I really wanted to ask a few questions to guys (like uncletoad) who have experience with them.
It seems to me that they could be the 'hybrid' spirocore string. I'm using EP wiechs and really like them. Of course I still miss the spiro pizz, feel of steel strings and long life. I also like low tension. In fact I love the belcantos but can't make them work though an amp on a jazz gig. I also struggle with the orch spiros on orchestra gigs. So far EP wiechs are the solution.However, would you guys recommend the spiro solos at orch pitch for hybrid use?
Thanks Geoff
- May 6, 2003
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- Proprietor Fifth Avenue Fret Shop. Technical Editor Bass Gear Magazine
My view is that Spiro Solo tension is to low for my basses to get maximum sound from them. They drive the basses significantly less than EP Weichs. However some basses like that tension quite a bit. For those whose basses like that tension Solos are very formidable strings.
On my basses I prefer Spiro Mittels. I don't like either Weich or Solo enough to use them regularly
Everyone who is curious about strings has to try different stuff to see how their bass reacts. My experience is only my own. YMMV.
On my basses I prefer Spiro Mittels. I don't like either Weich or Solo enough to use them regularly
Everyone who is curious about strings has to try different stuff to see how their bass reacts. My experience is only my own. YMMV.
Sorry if I missed you saying this earlier, but have you tried Spiro Weichs? Similar tension as Belcantos, as Uncletoad pointed out awhile ago, but with more punch and growl, pizz.
Uncletoad, I dig your description of the Spiro attack and rotation cycle. (Like many other folks) I used Spiros for a long while and really loved the bowed projection, as you say. Plaintive, urgent projection. Also found the same need for the parallel "pull" to make the string happen. As you say, something about the way they vibrate.
Still digging the Belcantos, but I admit that I fantasize about putting back on the Spiros nearly every day, at some point. Usually when I am bowing in the upper register.
Now that I have a new bass (pics and story to follow, sometime soon) the temptation to re-open the Spiro used string pouch is palpable. Thing is, though, I have so little time to play these days, I am reluctant to spend it fussing with strings, so the Belcantos stay...for now...
- May 6, 2003
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....and for the record my Mittel G has hit that sweet spot where it is loud, projects, sings, and is punchy.
Very nice.
Very nice.
Hi guys! I've messed with strings until the cows came home, but I've settled into using Spirocore Weich for a good while now. I also like Spiro Mittels, but the Weichs get a little darker, bouncier sound on my bass. They also bow well, they amplify well, they stay in tune...EPs never really did it for me, I still get the gut jones when I hear guts on a good sounding bass, but life is so much easier using Spiros.
Thanks for your responses guys.
I've recently got a new bass which came with belcantos. It sounds amazing pizz and arco, but not when amplified. On my previous basses I've been round the block with most strings (including spiro/belcanto mix). I've always loved the spiro wiechs (except arco) and had the same problems with amping the belcantos. Of course new bass means I've been checking out the string/pickup pages.
Other than the belcantos I've not tried other strings on my new bass.
I did a few gigs on spiro orchs and they stood apart in terms of pizz sound but were hard work on the hands. I actually liked the arco response In some ways, very direct sound, thumb position sounded great!
I think spiros require a commitment to stick with them and perhaps I should stick with them and see if I can make them work for me.
The Evah Wiechs are a safer bet and sound great fresh out the pack. For me after about 6 months they sound a bit plastic pizz, especially through an amp (arco still fantastic) and I start to think about spiros again!
Sorry I've added to the many posts about spiro confusion.
I know the answer, get the spiro orchs and move on!
I've recently got a new bass which came with belcantos. It sounds amazing pizz and arco, but not when amplified. On my previous basses I've been round the block with most strings (including spiro/belcanto mix). I've always loved the spiro wiechs (except arco) and had the same problems with amping the belcantos. Of course new bass means I've been checking out the string/pickup pages.
Other than the belcantos I've not tried other strings on my new bass.
I did a few gigs on spiro orchs and they stood apart in terms of pizz sound but were hard work on the hands. I actually liked the arco response In some ways, very direct sound, thumb position sounded great!
I think spiros require a commitment to stick with them and perhaps I should stick with them and see if I can make them work for me.
The Evah Wiechs are a safer bet and sound great fresh out the pack. For me after about 6 months they sound a bit plastic pizz, especially through an amp (arco still fantastic) and I start to think about spiros again!
Sorry I've added to the many posts about spiro confusion.
I know the answer, get the spiro orchs and move on!
- May 6, 2003
- 5,272
- 160
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- Proprietor Fifth Avenue Fret Shop. Technical Editor Bass Gear Magazine
This needs to be stickied in the Toad HOF. Well spoken, sir.
Gotta say I've been really enjoying the spirocore mittels on the new ply LaScala. I've been playing it about 4 hours a day at the Aebersold workshops, and while my hands are killing me (I'm not in 4-hours-a-day shape these days), the thing sounds great. By comparison, my main bass has a brand new set of Dominants on it (just changed the 4 year old set when the new bass came in) and by comparison they seem hot and bright as firecrackers, and now playing that bass will take some getting used to again after all of this spirocore love.
You need to post us some of that techno/house/trance upright. Do you do a lot of arco on those gigs?
- May 6, 2003
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I indeed do some arco on that gig. With the computers covering lots of bass I don't have to work as hard and can play pads or even upper register melodies.
I don't have any recordings of it. I cross posted a video from facebook on my profile that has a 60 second clip of it from somebody's camera but I am not sure how to get it here. I'll figure it out.
- May 6, 2003
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- Proprietor Fifth Avenue Fret Shop. Technical Editor Bass Gear Magazine
I was playing my gig last night thinking my bass sounds pretty dialed in again.
It occurs to me that the thing goes through stages as weather changes and the strings cycle through their lifespan. Some days no matter what you do it's uncomfortable. Some weird artifact causes me to move to a different spot on the bass or play a grove differently because the bass sounds different today than last week. Then again some days everything is perfect. Feel, tone, response...everything firing on all cylinders.
And then one day it's gone again. Something moves on the bass, it takes on water or dries out, the strings wear to a different spot...something changes.
My usual response is to change strings or move something around on the bass. What I'm trying to learn is to adjust my hands, my stance, my approach, to find something musical in what the bass is giving me right then. Perhaps I'm supposed to play in thumb position awhile tonight cause it's sounding great, or I have to stay in the middle register because everything else sucks today, or the low E is killing in the room tonight, I'll play it as much as possible.
Work with what you have. It's a hard lesson for the impatient perfectionist.
It occurs to me that the thing goes through stages as weather changes and the strings cycle through their lifespan. Some days no matter what you do it's uncomfortable. Some weird artifact causes me to move to a different spot on the bass or play a grove differently because the bass sounds different today than last week. Then again some days everything is perfect. Feel, tone, response...everything firing on all cylinders.
And then one day it's gone again. Something moves on the bass, it takes on water or dries out, the strings wear to a different spot...something changes.
My usual response is to change strings or move something around on the bass. What I'm trying to learn is to adjust my hands, my stance, my approach, to find something musical in what the bass is giving me right then. Perhaps I'm supposed to play in thumb position awhile tonight cause it's sounding great, or I have to stay in the middle register because everything else sucks today, or the low E is killing in the room tonight, I'll play it as much as possible.
Work with what you have. It's a hard lesson for the impatient perfectionist.
Greg Clinkingbeard
Commercial User
Life would be much easier if we could really do that.
I saw this on Facebook. "I'm CDO. Really OCD, but had to put it in alphabetical order". Sad, but true.
I've just come to realize that NOTHING I do in the humidity of August will make the bass sound good and I just need to wait the weather out. Mid September things will start to sound good again whether I do anything or not.
mark
Chris, did the new ply La Scala come with the Mittels on it? Did you consider Weichs at all? I've got a ply La Scala on order and was thinking all Mittels might be too much tension, and went instead with Mittel E, Weich ADG. For starters... But i take it you had no problem with all Mittels.
