Double Bass Using a D string as a G?

[ConnorBass]

Hello, I recently bought my first nice upright bass. It came with Thomastik Spirocores on. Everything is great although the G is too thin for my taste. Could I tune another D string of the same brand/type as my G?

 

[Mr.Phil]

No

 

[ConnorBass]

I don't know enough about strings. Why? not right length?

 

[thebassbass]

I don't know enough about strings. Why? not right length?

because its a D string and not a G string, thats why it will not work. It has more to do with its the width.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

The spirocore G is often switched for another G. You can't use a D because it's tension would be problematic tuned that high. Spend some time searching old threads here and you will see what others have done. I liked an Olive G with spirocores but they are quite expensive.

 

[neilG]

To tune a D to a G, you'd be increasing the tension by nearly 80%. Not advised. Find a thicker string. This is the first time I've ever heard a bassist complain of a string being too thick, but you know what you like.

 

[ConnorBass]

To tune a D to a G, you'd be increasing the tension by nearly 80%. Not advised. Find a thicker string. This is the first time I've ever heard a bassist complain of a string being too thick, but you know what you like.

you mean too thin? but yes. thank you guys.

 

[Mark Perna]

The tension would be incredible, it would probably cause your neck to twist over time and it might cause the G side bridge foot to damage the top of your bass.

It would probably sound like poop too.

I agree that the Spiro G can be a whiny little string. Your best bet is try some other G strings. Thomastik Dominant G is a nice G. So is the Olive G. You could try a Velvet Anima G or an Evah Pirazzi G. There are a whole bunch to choose from. Go through the old string threads. There's enough reading there to keep you busy for a month or two. After digesting everyone's opinion, forget them and experiment on your own. It will sound different on your bass and with your fingers playing it.

mark

 

[Jeremy Allen]

I accidentally installed a Labella black tapewound D as a G. It was loud, felt great, and was an excellent match, volume and tonewise, for the Spirocores on the other three strings. But after I took it off and realized what I had done, it occurred to me that those strings must have some seriously low tension in order for that accidental experiment to have worked...

 

[BeowulfKingsley]

Fortunately there are enough people in the Classified section selling single strings to keep you permanently broke ;-) and allow you to try a few other good G strings.

 

[TheTurdz]

Hello, I recently bought my first nice upright bass. It came with Thomastik Spirocores on. Everything is great although the G is too thin for my taste. Could I tune another D string of the same brand/type as my G?

LOL

 

[Thumpie]

So you've got a Spirocore Mittel G on it now? The first thing I'd try would be a Spirocore Stark G. You don't play arco, do you?

 

[neilG]

you mean too thin? but yes. thank you guys.

Oops, yeah , that's what you said.

 

[Barcza]

Not a good idea!
If you need thickness go to synthetic core strings.

 

[Treyzer]

Not good, not good!

 

[fdeck]

Just adding a bit to what others have said, the D string would probably break before reaching G.

It's an interesting problem because: As strings get thicker, they get more massive, which requires more tension to bring them up to the same pitch. The only solution is to find a core or winding material that's less dense than steel, so the string can have a larger diameter but the same mass per unit length.

This leads me to ask: Is a gut G typically thicker than a steel G?

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Just adding a bit to what others have said, the D string would probably break before reaching G.

It's an interesting problem because: As strings get thicker, they get more massive, which requires more tension to bring them up to the same pitch. The only solution is to find a core or winding material that's less dense than steel, so the string can have a larger diameter but the same mass per unit length.

This leads me to ask: Is a gut G typically thicker than a steel G?

Much - your basic Spiro is ~.050" whereas your average gut 'G' runs more than .080".

There is a 'String Gauge Sticky' with much useful data and there's my 'Double Bass String' page at www.thebassspa.com which I update more regularly.