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Double Bass Tuned-down solo strings

P

pskelly

Nov 7, 2005
44
0
Hartford, CT
#1
Could not find answer to this in the strings forum; sorry if I missed it.

I have an American Standard bass with a scale of 43 3/8. It is in good shape and well set up by Arnold S.

Recently I took off the Gamut Lyon G and D that I have had for a while and replaced them with Evah Pirazzi weich. The A and E were already EP weich and I left those alone.

I liked the change in strings because it made bowing better, but I didn't like the increase in stiffness, and the sound was thuddy. So I wondered what solo EP weich tuned down to orchestra pitch would be like. I read elsewhere that you can get an estimate of that by tuning down your existing strings a whole step. Tried that, and loved the feel. But I was also surprised that my bass sounded way better to me. The D was twice as loud and both the G and D had a really good sound pizz and arco. (Then I tried tuning down the A and E and that did nothing except make the A and E worse so that's out.)

Anyway, I'm just wondering if that "tune-down-the-regular-strings" test gives you anything like a fair idea of what the solo versions will feel and/or sound like. I know the solo strings will be a little thinner so that will change the sound somewhat, but will they be in the ballpark?

Pete
 
#2
Haven't used Evah solos, but I had a similar experience with Spirocores. Tuned Solos down one summer and my bass got louder and more clear, much to my surprise. Jake later helped me dial in my setup in a way that I think gave me that experience with regular strings, but it was great for me for a while.

If you can't find any EP solo@orch pitch, I know that people were doing this with Dominants for similar reasons, you might check those threads out.
 
#3
I gave my impressions of the EP solos somewhere, so there is a thread. In a nutshell, they worked well in general, are not particularly thin feeling compared to other EPs, and sounded good. Intonation in thumb position was more difficult than usual for some reason.

I'm playing Spiro solos tuned down now. The G string is thin feeling and they are softer in volume than other strings I've had on this bass, including EP Solos. They are also fairly dark in tone. They bow very well. I am also getting some wolfy stuff that I didn't notice with other strings.
 
#5
I played Spirocore solo tuned down for a couple of years on my 2 bass... the D and G Always sound great, the A was missing something and always found the F# (E) to be a bit to low in tension and the tone was a bit thin compared to the 3 other one.....

My solution was; i've bought a used Spiro weich E to replace the solo F# and it give me a set that feel and sound more even.....

It work for me and if the E&A have a little lack of tone, this can be a solution
 
#7
I think Solo Strings tuned down a whole step to Orchestral Pitch would sound killer plus it would breath new life into Double Basses that have worn out tops, worn out necks, or worn out bridges, as these strings are a little thinner & so tuning them down a step to orchestral pitch will reduce the tension.
 
#8
Oscar Stern said:
I think Solo Strings tuned down a whole step to Orchestral Pitch would sound killer plus it would breath new life into Double Basses that have worn out tops, worn out necks, or worn out bridges, as these strings are a little thinner & so tuning them down a step to orchestral pitch will reduce the tension.
Click to expand...
As we now know your limited experience with DBses, please don‘t flood us with your guesses.
It is not helpful and may lead others to wrong decisions.
 
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#10
pskelly said:
Could not find answer to this in the strings forum; sorry if I missed it.

I have an American Standard bass with a scale of 43 3/8. It is in good shape and well set up by Arnold S.

Recently I took off the Gamut Lyon G and D that I have had for a while and replaced them with Evah Pirazzi weich. The A and E were already EP weich and I left those alone.

I liked the change in strings because it made bowing better, but I didn't like the increase in stiffness, and the sound was thuddy. So I wondered what solo EP weich tuned down to orchestra pitch would be like. I read elsewhere that you can get an estimate of that by tuning down your existing strings a whole step. Tried that, and loved the feel. But I was also surprised that my bass sounded way better to me. The D was twice as loud and both the G and D had a really good sound pizz and arco. (Then I tried tuning down the A and E and that did nothing except make the A and E worse so that's out.)

Anyway, I'm just wondering if that "tune-down-the-regular-strings" test gives you anything like a fair idea of what the solo versions will feel and/or sound like. I know the solo strings will be a little thinner so that will change the sound somewhat, but will they be in the ballpark?

Pete
Click to expand...
Hey there,
I 've used both the D and G from the Evah Pirazzi solo set with a number of different E and A strings. For about 3 months I used Spiro weich 3885 with E.P solo D and a plain gut G and that sounded great . Another setup that sounded good was Helicore hybrids light on the E and A ,a Jazzer D ,and the E.P solo G. I am still using that on a bass at the school I teach.
They are good strings, the D sounds very solid but feels a little slow. The G is fine but I agree with Eric that in T.P it's hard to intonate properly for whatever reason.
My two cents.
 
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#11
I recently threw on some well used Superflexible solo strings on my bass (except for the ancient and well worn Mittel E) and I’ve been reall enjoying them quite a bit. No loss in volume compared to the ancient Weichs they replaced, and they’re just the right amount less tension. They feel way closer to what I remember guys feeling like and although the F#/G is about the same thin-ness as the Weich G, it has a much rounder, warmer sound. This on my 41” string length 3/4 Benedikt Lang bass.
 
#12
Phil Rowan said:
I recently threw on some well used Superflexible solo strings on my bass (except for the ancient and well worn Mittel E) and I’ve been reall enjoying them quite a bit. No loss in volume compared to the ancient Weichs they replaced, and they’re just the right amount less tension. They feel way closer to what I remember guys feeling like and although the F#/G is about the same thin-ness as the Weich G, it has a much rounder, warmer sound. This on my 41” string length 3/4 Benedikt Lang bass.
Click to expand...
Guys don't feel like that :laugh:
 
#13
Oscar Stern said:
I think Solo Strings tuned down a whole step to Orchestral Pitch would sound killer plus it would breath new life into Double Basses that have worn out tops, worn out necks, or worn out bridges, as these strings are a little thinner & so tuning them down a step to orchestral pitch will reduce the tension.
Click to expand...

People have already been doing this for many decades now.
 
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#16
I’ve done way too much string experimentation, but I don’t think I’ve ever actually tried any solo tuning strings at orchestra pitch.

Spirocore Mediums work so well for me, but I’ve had more than a few recommendations to try detuned Superflexible Solos. Maybe someday.
 

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