I have a few weeks of electric gigs on the books in July so might consider getting my upright setup with new 3/4 Weichs - just to see how different they are from my 3 year old 4/4 Weichs.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Double Bass Time for a Dead Spiros Club
- Thread starter iiipopes
- Start date
The 3/4 set will play tighter and put more pressure on the top, which should yield more sound.
Yeah I'd like to give them a try and see how much they differ. I could use a little more output & volume and I'm pretty used to my setup. I like my 4/4's now but they get pretty floppy in the winter months.
I'll be curious to hear your impressions. I use the 3/4 Weichs myself.
When can we start calling them heavy, medium, and light like Thomastik does?
- Steve
or get rid of the 3/4 and 4/4 distinction
Super light (4/4 solo) Super light+ (3/4 solo) light (4/4 weich) light+ (3/4 weich) Medium (4/4 mediums) Medium+ (3/4 Mediums) Heavy (4/4 Starks)
writing that out hurt my brain though....
Reading it wasn't easy either
I just think it's funny that Thomastik went to English terms on their packaging years ago, but we still stick with the German. Bassisten mögen es nicht, Dinge zu ändern.
As far as 3/4 vs. 4/4, that's more about string length. Putting 4/4 strings on 3/4 size basses to achieve a different tension wasn't the original intent.
- Steve
I'm with you Steve, I love new Spiros on my bass, especially the E & A.This sounds weird to me. I liked how my Spirocores sounded when they were new, and this was coming from synthetic core strings. They are still sounding good ten months later, but I have no qualms about changing them when I feel they've become too dark. I guess I can't be in this club
- Steve
I guess the good news is that you can recoup a lot of the cost of new strings by selling the used ones to club members.This sounds weird to me. I liked how my Spirocores sounded when they were new, and this was coming from synthetic core strings. They are still sounding good ten months later, but I have no qualms about changing them when I feel they've become too dark. I guess I can't be in this club
- Steve
I don't think that's the case here. It's the case of new strings being bright. I'll give it 6 months and see
Nope. I think you should try lots of different strings and combinations of strings in search of the perfect set for your new bass. Lots and lots.
- Steve
Nope. I think you should try lots of different strings and combinations of strings in search of the perfect set for your new bass. Lots and lots.
- Steve
Attachments
Just remember, one string or a drawer full, everything goes with a dead Spiro E string, 3/4 3885,5W being my favourite.
It depends, although it probably will in this case. As much as all of us love Spiros, and the seven sets that can be mounted on a standard 3/4 bass, all tops have a "sweet spot," where on one hand there has to be enough tension to properly drive the top to optimum tone and sustain; but on the other hand, too much tension will choke the top leading to inconsistent intonation, damped tone and sustain.
Yesterday my backup/sale bass came home from the luthier after he dressed the board, adjusted the bridge, and put on some mid-life Helicore Hybrids. I was reminded what a livelier string sounds like and ordered some 2-year-old Spiros from TB to replace the set I've had on my bass for a decade. Who knows, maybe there's more to bass tone than the comforting Dead Spiro Thud? 'Bout to find out.
This will trip a few people out.
My first bass came wearing a set of super crusty old Spiros, and I've been a Spiro guy ever since.
So it made perfect sense that I'd keep Spiros on my jazz/pizz bass, which is a beautiful old German.
Last year, I finally took off the set of Spiros I've moved from bass to bass over the years as I've upgraded and replaced them with a fresher set.
I play mostly arco these days and wanted to bring the German back into rotation after fixing a failed scroll break repair, but the Spiro G&D were gnarly.
Moved the soundpost. Better, less raspy. Much more resonant. Tried the Edgar Meyer set with Permanents over Spiros. Better, but still bright and nasal.
Last week I bought a used set of Evah Orchs for $20 on a whim and strung them up. Oh my God.
The German has never sounded better. The open E under the bow could knock you over. Pizz is great.
I am currently Spiro-free and Thomastik-free.
Who am I? What is this strange place? Why are there no red tailpiece silks? I want my mommy!
My first bass came wearing a set of super crusty old Spiros, and I've been a Spiro guy ever since.
So it made perfect sense that I'd keep Spiros on my jazz/pizz bass, which is a beautiful old German.
Last year, I finally took off the set of Spiros I've moved from bass to bass over the years as I've upgraded and replaced them with a fresher set.
I play mostly arco these days and wanted to bring the German back into rotation after fixing a failed scroll break repair, but the Spiro G&D were gnarly.
Moved the soundpost. Better, less raspy. Much more resonant. Tried the Edgar Meyer set with Permanents over Spiros. Better, but still bright and nasal.
Last week I bought a used set of Evah Orchs for $20 on a whim and strung them up. Oh my God.
The German has never sounded better. The open E under the bow could knock you over. Pizz is great.
I am currently Spiro-free and Thomastik-free.
Who am I? What is this strange place? Why are there no red tailpiece silks? I want my mommy!
I'm gonna pretend the word "evah" wasn't just blurted.
In other news, my 4/4 Weichs have their first birthday this month. I am now crashing the club!
In other news, my 4/4 Weichs have their first birthday this month. I am now crashing the club!
Kung Fu: Your bass has spoken. Sad news but keep 'em on.
For anyone else who is sort of happy with all Spiros and may be thinking of being unfaithful, I can offer some help to perhaps keep you in the fold.
The Spiro G (medium and weich) take a long time to lose their zing. Even when they do they still sound thin on my bass.
For the past 18 months I have been using a regular Bel Canto G with my 3/4 Weichs and Medium E.
It sounds full, the sustain matches the broken in Spiros and it projects well. Far better than any other gut (including Oliv) or synthetic G I have used.
I also tried a Bel Canto D but all the benefits of the Bel Canto G alone were lost. It all sounded dull.
For anyone else who is sort of happy with all Spiros and may be thinking of being unfaithful, I can offer some help to perhaps keep you in the fold.
The Spiro G (medium and weich) take a long time to lose their zing. Even when they do they still sound thin on my bass.
For the past 18 months I have been using a regular Bel Canto G with my 3/4 Weichs and Medium E.
It sounds full, the sustain matches the broken in Spiros and it projects well. Far better than any other gut (including Oliv) or synthetic G I have used.
I also tried a Bel Canto D but all the benefits of the Bel Canto G alone were lost. It all sounded dull.
Latest posts
-
-
-
-
-
How can Fender release a "Vintage" series with an unplayable bridge?- Latest: Gilmourisgod