Double Bass Time to change it up.. what strings should I get next

[Don Hergert]

I'm sorry to hear about your gut E and A too; since I have no experience with guts, getting raw gut E and A was one option I was considering. It sounds like your experience was similar to my SBW Deluxe E and A experience.

Hmmm, ideas??? You could get some very thin copper or stainless steel wire and try winding these gut E and A strings yourself . Need to build some manual string winding equipment for that though.

I gotta ask, although I'm sure you've tried everything, but have you tried a different right-hand stroke on those gut E and A strings? I know I had to re-learn right hand stuff when I got serious about 2-finger pizz instead of just doing slap-style pizz. Sorry if this is a demeaning question, it is not intended to be.

Regarding the cruise line, coincidentally, we were supposed to jam-host on a bluegrass cruise next week. The bluegrass group provisions (and associated QOV group provisions) have been cancelled so we're not going, although the cruise ship itself is still sailing. We've got a credit on the cruise line for whenever now. It was a little more complicated because the whole family was going, with our youngest son and his wife flying out west here from Ohio. Lots of cancelled reservations, the travel industry in general must really be hurting. For us, disappointment, but it wasn't a pay gig so we'll be ok financially.

 

[mittenwald]

Any other comedic uses for a pure gut E are welcome.... Lol.

It's probably not much help, but the only time i've seen a plain E used is in a baroque set up by Cecelia Bruggemeyer Invalid Link Removed

 

[210superair]

It's probably not much help, but the only time i've seen a plain E used is in a baroque set up by Cecelia Bruggemeyer Invalid Link Removed

I've seen bluegrass guys use full pure guts. The guy that introduced me to bass had a Kay setup like that. I played it back then, but I didn't know enough to have an opinion at that time.

I'll say this, after buying a bunch of strings, I'ma be 'ba-roque' as well... Lol.

 

[John Chambliss]

If gig cancellations keep on keeping on, I may have to reinstall my Efrano gut D and G and practice some arco with them. I've gotten much better at arco since I tried it on gut about 8 years ago.

 

[AGCurry]

I gotta ask, although I'm sure you've tried everything, but have you tried a different right-hand stroke on those gut E and A strings? I know I had to re-learn right hand stuff when I got serious about 2-finger pizz instead of just doing slap-style pizz.

Right hand is not the only problem with naked-gut E. For me, the diameter was so large that I had a real challenge simply stopping the string vibration with my left-hand fingers. I pressed the string to the fingerboard but it would vibrate under my finger!

 

[Reiska]

I wouldn`t dare anymore with anything less than plain Pistoy E. I`ve tried plain Efrano medium E on my bass and it was hopeless, both pizz and arco.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

I wouldn`t dare anymore with anything less than plain Pistoy E. I`ve tried plain Efrano medium E on my bass and it was hopeless, both pizz and arco.

What was wrong with the Efrano E?
Too thin (too less tension)? Too stiff?

 

[lurk]

If you know a dog owner that plain gut E makes a nice chew toy. They've been using wrapped gut on bottom strings of all instruments for hundreds of years.

 

[Reiska]

What was wrong with the Efrano E?
Too thin (too less tension)? Too stiff?

Very little sound or note to speak of, very undefined and quiet both plucked and bowed. Tension is very low but with lower plain guts that`s the deal.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Very little sound or note to speak of, very undefined and quiet both plucked and bowed. Tension is very low but with lower plain guts that`s the deal.

The open E is actually great, the rest a challenge. Comming from someone who uses it. Perhaps if you put it +2 centimeters, but I am not doing that...

 

[unbrokenchain]

Just following up in case someone's considering some Lenzners. Big difference after settling in. Absolutely everything I was after. Can't speak to longevity because it's only been a little over a month, but based on the way they play right now I'd recommend them to any other gut virgins. I've gotten used to the string height, and not sure what to chalk it up to but I'm not finding the low strings nearly as difficult to bow. Not easy, but controllable with focus. A completely different beast than the carved w spiros, which now feels and sounds like softened butter juxtaposed. The Kay w/ Lenzners is gritty with the bow and boomy pizz, but in a good way, and oh so loud, will fit perfectly in the groups I often play with. Now if this danged pandemic thing would just go away, I could actually give 'em some ensemble action!

 

[Reiska]

Welcome to the dark side!!!

 

[PBandJazzBass]

I put a set of Pirastro Perpetuals on my main bass little over 6 months ago and I've been pretty happy with them. They're a brighter string with a focused sound for jazz pizz, similar to Spiros, and they have a pretty good bow response once they've settled in. You may consider giving them a try.

 

[elmer]

Well, I thought I had tried out every possible string brand there is. I found a new (for me) 1920s-30s German flatback. It´s a great bass, but the old Spiro 4/4 mittels felt tight and sounded dull on it. I got a set of Innovation Super Silvers and boy do they sound great on it! I remember trying out those briefly some 10 years ago but skipping them immediately because of their lack of bowability. I have another bass for that nowadays. And I could bow them by applying Pops straight to the strings. In fact they sound like mr PC arco.
My fellow @Reiska said that Velvet Animas are the missing link between gut and steel. I have to say that Super Silvers are even more. They have that great click on all four strings in front of the note that gut has. Yet they have enough tension to be played in singing and sustaining manner. My bass feels resonant and relaxed with these. And they are loud and thick if that´s what you like.
I´m so happy I found these strings after the years. Hoping to play my new bass with Super Silvers on with a band asap