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Double Bass Velvet Garbos double bass strings megathread part I

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#281
dex68 said:
.......Of course, if a particular string starts out sounding good, but doesn't please you later on, it could be other problems with the insrument creeping up on you, for instance the sound post could be constricting due to climactic conditions.
Also, these strings won't function well if the bridge is too low!
Click to expand...


hi dex68...

Actually I had my bass in for a full set up about two months ago so everything should fit the strings perfectly. I really don't think it has something to do with my bass being set up poorly, the garbos are just beat up. Keep in mind that I play at least three hours a day and many days alot more. (I'm in school!)

I put on those steel strings a few days ago and I love the definition I get from them, this i something I really missed from the garbos. They are very stiff and very thin, so it's far from a pleasure to play right now.
It seems that my bass responds better to a string with less tension so I'm looking for something other than steel strings. Maybe the Anima, the Dominants or the Heritage. How does these string sound compared to the garbos? I would like to have the definition from steel strings and the fundamental from the garbos.

And by the way. The Velvet string does not have any gut in them, they're synthetic in some way. I think the first sets had some amount of gut, but they were reformulated at some point.

Mr. Engberg, Denmark. (The land of NHOP, RIP!)
 
#282
Mr. Engberg,

Hmmm... the Lemur catalog says gut-core. I think they are gut, but it doesn't matter. I'm not about to break them open to find out.

Animas are a lot like Garbos except that they bow better, though they don't sound like metals. This is why they can be used in baroque orchestras. Or so I hear. Anyway, the idea is simply that they have a higher proportion of copper/alloy to gut than the Garbo, so they are slightly thinner and ring a little clearer. Like Garbos, they have a very warm sound and are easy to play since the tension is lower. That answer your question?
 
#283
Mr. Engberg said:
...I put on those steel strings a few days ago and I love the definition I get from them, this i something I really missed from the garbos. They are very stiff and very thin, so it's far from a pleasure to play right now.
It seems that my bass responds better to a string with less tension so I'm looking for something other than steel strings. Maybe the Anima, the Dominants or the Heritage. How does these string sound compared to the garbos? I would like to have the definition from steel strings and the fundamental from the garbos.
Click to expand...

I am exactly in the same situation and we are looking for the same string. ;-) I miss the "meat" from Garbos.

Curious to hear what your conclusions are. I have been recommended the Oligato-route, because the string needs to bow well. But the short lifespan of Olig sounds worring.
 
#284
Hi...

"Garbo, Anima, Compas 360 and Compas 180 constructed around a core of natural fibres, produce a sound (and feel to the player) which cannot be distinguished from pure gut strings. Windings, whether with copper or a synthetic material, reinforce the strings' warmth and richness of tone. Each type of string offers unique characteristics, providing an attractive solution for most playing applications."

This is taken directly from the Velvet homepage. As I read it there's no gut in the strings. Actually I think Ray Parker once cut his string open, to find out what was inside. He found something similar to silk, and he certainly didn't find any gut. It is in some thread if you want to search for it. In the same thread it is also stated that Lemur is wrong. But as you say, it really doesn't matter. :)

I tried the Animas this week and I've decided to go for them. I did the same with the Garbos when I bought them, and it has worked out fine until now. Just for fun I've decided to buy a set of Dominants solo tuning string and play them in orchestral tuning. This should be a very soft string, which bows nice and doesn't have tons of sustain.

To jannejava: I've also thought about the Obligatos but I dont want to change string every 5 - 6 months. One of my friends played them and he broke 5 different strings during one summer... Go figure...

Mr. Engberg, Denmark. (The land of NHOP, RIP)
 
#285
Mr. Engberg said:
Hi...

"Garbo, Anima, Compas 360 and Compas 180 constructed around a core of natural fibres, produce a sound (and feel to the player) which cannot be distinguished from pure gut strings. Windings, whether with copper or a synthetic material, reinforce the strings' warmth and richness of tone. Each type of string offers unique characteristics, providing an attractive solution for most playing applications."

Ok, I stand corrected. I'm too lazy to read through all the threads, otherwise I'd surely have learned this already. I'm glad they're natural fibers, though. Somehow that appeals to me more than synthetic... ;)


Anyway, I hope you like the Animas! Remember, they take a few weeks to sound good, so be patient. Did I say this already?
Click to expand...
 
#286
I never cared for the sound and response of Anima for arco. Some combination of Eudoxa and Olive has been the best solution for me as far as a bowable gut string. They have a warmer, less scratchy sound, in my opinion.

As far as temperature changes, I always try to take my bass out and tune it as soon as I get to a gig. Then I tune it 10 minutes later and then again before I start playing. This helps stabalize the pitch. If you wait to tune until right before you play, the strings will go out. It seems that they always shift after being tuned if you move the bass into a new environment. Also, don't tune backstage and then bring your bass out onstage. Gut strings hate temperature changes so try to keep it where you'll be playing as long as possible before you start. Of course, air conditioners and stage lights can still wreak havoc, but this is the price we pay for that gut tone.
 
#287
I actually had a set of pure gut strings on my bass, but I didn't like them. I played them for about 5 months and found them too undefined in pitch and too flabby... Therefore I went along with the Garbos!

Right now I play a set of Helicore pizzicato mediums, which is ok. It's kind of funny to play with all that growl again, not that I would keep them on the bass, but is just fun! :rolleyes:

Have any of you experienced that the Helicore don't really have a well defined pitch allthough they are steel strings? I feel like I'm using extremely much power in both hands to play them (more or less) in tune...

Right now I can't wait till I get my Animas and Dominants... I just hope they are right for me!

Mr. Engberg, Denmark.
 
#288
I have a set of garbos on the shelf I want to try...they have loops on the tailpiece end? Never seen that before, what's the correct mounting procedure for these? Thanks! Alan
 
#293
Hi again...

Just a follow-up!!

I'm waiting for my strings to arrive, I feel like a kid at christmas! My teacher will bring them to me next wednesday (the 25.). I decided to buy a set of Animas, a set of Dominants solo tuning plus a helicore Pizz. D to complete my old Helicore set.

My biggest concern right now is what set to try first!!! :hyper:

Actually I like the Helicores on my bass. They have good sustain which can be controlled with a little technique adjustment, they have a nice fundamental so it doesn't feel like I've lost alot from the Garbos... The growl comes in handy for ballads... I dig!!! :)

I'll keep you posted!

Mr.Engberg, Denmark.
 
#298
I took the plunge and strung my bass with velvet animas. Wow very different, they opened my smallish ¾ carved bass right up, now it has the boom and resonance of a 7/8 at least that’s how it seems to me right now.
First I had obligados which I felt were too muted on my bass. Then I put on good old spirocores, great for a while. Spiros are what I started with so I feel comfortable with them. But I still felt there was more tone in the box that I was not getting at. Anyways long story short, my bass booms, it’s like going from tight little Toyota Civic to a Ford Mustang. Powerful, loud but a little sloppy through the turns. Kind of like the Anna Nicole Smith of stings.
I’ve spent the last four nights getting used to them and I’ll be playing tonight and Saturday gigs with them. Truth be told I almost took them off this morning and swapped them for the spiros, but after a moment of doubt I let them stay. Damn the torpedos!!
I with I tried them with my amp…..
 
#300
Fred -????? That's where I got my Animas and I'm pretty sure that's where Joe got his. Now (for me) this was well over a year ago, so things may have changed...


But also give Dave Gage a shout, they prolly got some there...
 
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