Double Bass Velvet Garbos double bass strings megathread part I

[Pcocobass]

I wouldn't use Animas for orchestral stuff either, at least not on my Kay bass. That thing is an animal to bow at all, and with the Animas, the tone is gritty and dark, like gut, which I like for bowed jazz solos. When I bowed it for some of the classical bassists at my school, let's just say they didn't really dig it... It's not really warm enough for the orchestral thing IMO...

Fred-

As far as moisturizing goes, you're dead on. I'm gonna have to carry around lotion as soon as it gets cold out... and soap... and rubbing alcohol.. and a rag... damn...

 

[Marcus Johnson]

Same here... they're fine for the occasional community orch/commercial "legit" gigs that I do. And they are great for jazz arco, IMHO. Anything other than that, I'd look elsewhere as well.

 

[Don Higdon]

I think people's individual pH balances or whatever may have something to do with this.

Precisely.
I don't get stains, but my fingers do pick up a coppery smell.
But my fingers have smelled worse.
Let's drop it right here.

 

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Precisely.
I don't get stains, but my fingers do pick up a coppery smell.
But my fingers have smelled worse.
Let's drop it right here.

Don, you shook my hand at Arnolds. Do I need any 'shots' before we meet again?....lol

 

[AMJBASS]

I don't think you need to worry about string life with the Velvets. They tend to last longer than most strings. I wouldn't be surprised if you got a couple years out of them.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

Regarding "gut thump" and Animas; I don't really have that experience on my bass. In my case, I get a very warm, big sound, nicely focused and balanced all over the whole bass. It doesn't have that growl that I had with Spiros, of course, it's just a more organic allaround bass sound that stays fat even up in thumb position.

It might be because of my La Scala, which has a great midrange response. I'd be interested to play Animas on a Cleveland or something similar, for the sake of comparison.

 

[bassdogEmer]

they sound killin on Juzek's and tyrolean basses.... all this ofcourse all depends greatly on the bass..

 

[Ed Fuqua]

...if you are playing Jazz then the Garbo's are the better choice.

Oh, Christ! Am I playing the worse choice string or am I not playing jazz!?!

There are no absolutes here, DOGYAMMER. I get by playing jazz just fine on Anima's, in fact they sound just like the bass I hear in my head.

How long of a life can I expect out of these things?

I had a set on my bass for well over two years, still sounded good. The only reason I got a new set was becuase I was having a new bridge (and a buncha other stuff) done and I didn't want to chance any weirdness about where the "crimp" ended up.

 

[Don Higdon]

On another thread I observed that wherever I play the Animas, invariably, somebody will comment on the sound I get. This has not been the case with any other string, and I've used a bunch. Musician friends that have heard all my basses love the Anima sound. Pizz only. For Arco, it's Olivs. No discussion.

 

[Mike Crumpton]

On another thread I observed that wherever I play the Animas, invariably, somebody will comment on the sound I get. This has not been the case with any other string, and I've used a bunch. Musician friends that have heard all my basses love the Anima sound. Pizz only. For Arco, it's Olivs. No discussion.

But how are Animas with a bow?

 

[Pcocobass]

But how are Animas with a bow?

Depends on the bass. On my Kay, the Animas get a gritty and dark sound, kinda like old PC recordings (which I DIG). But I've seen Rufus Reid bow them on his very old carved bass and the tone is warm and luscious.

Just my observation...

 

[Don Higdon]

But how are Animas with a bow?

Ok, but that's a nice way of saying not so good. Strictly my experience.

 

[Pcocobass]

Ok, but that's a nice way of saying not so good. Strictly my experience.

For classical, maybe. But for jazz? That's exactly the tone I was looking for. I like the bite.

 

[Jeremy Allen]

This has been discussed a bit in Pete's "green stains" thread, but yeah: they sound just like that gritty PC arco solo thing (that it is say--sweet!). And I think they actually sound great on long, sustained notes--very warm and friendly. But for Beethoven, I'd have to say no.

 

[bassdogEmer]

Hi- I have tried to bow all types of the velvets - the compas models- animas AND garbo's and they all have the same thing... gritty gritty - not at all as lush as metal strings - but this is just bowing I am speaking.

 

[jallenbass]

LNR Music has them for $201. Has anyone found a better price?

 

[Ed Fuqua]

I'll Goggle, but they got a website? Ideal has'em for $225.

 

[Ben Rose]

www.lnrmusic.com If you need them in a hurry, make sure to verify that he (Lou) has them in stock. I believe he orders from Switzerland once a week.

 

[AMJBASS]

I have just bought a set from Quinn Violins at $229. Not the lowest, but I am comfortable dealing with Chris.

 

[AMJBASS]

Hey Ed, did you notice a change in the windings of the G? I had a set a couple years ago and the G had a lot of silver in it. The set that I just bought are all copper. Great sounding strings!