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Double Bass Velvet Garbos double bass strings megathread part I
- Thread starter mic_j
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the two albums "violet violets" and "purple violets" have ben street playing anima strings. he is playing with sam rivers and kersten osgood. both the sound and the playing is incredible.......
I gotta say, Nuno...having you here as a liaison for those of us who love our Velvet strings is really a good thing. I had an Anima E break last December, but it sure hasn't kept me from buying another set to get that sound. Of course I kept the remainder of the original set as a backup.
I have this annual tradition of taking my old set of Animas out of a drawer, putting them on the bass for a few weeks, and eventually putting the steel strings back on while muttering about the compromises of tone versus versatility, etc., etc.
My main problem with them is that the E has never really worked with my instrument - noticeably quieter than the other strings, even with the bridge raised quite high. So this year I thought I'd experiment with other E strings. The best match, for sound and playability, seems to be with the good old Spirocore medium. Anybody tried this particular combination?
My main problem with them is that the E has never really worked with my instrument - noticeably quieter than the other strings, even with the bridge raised quite high. So this year I thought I'd experiment with other E strings. The best match, for sound and playability, seems to be with the good old Spirocore medium. Anybody tried this particular combination?
The Anima E on my bass (Christopher carved) sounds very different from the other strings. I thought it might be because of my newbieness, but as time has gone on I am noticing the lack of sustain/ volume and strange metallic harmonics around each note.
Interestingly, it sounds fine with the stick 'o pain.
Does anyone have a suggestion for an E string to match with Animas?
-Daniel Y
Interestingly, it sounds fine with the stick 'o pain.
Does anyone have a suggestion for an E string to match with Animas?
-Daniel Y
How long have you had that set on? I gave mine a good six months when they were new and the E never really opened up.
Anyway I tried what I had in the drawer: Spirocore med, Permanent, and D'Addario orchestra. I like the Spirocore because it matches the diameter of the other strings, unlike the other two which are a bit thinner. After another day of playing on it I'd say the sound is a good match on my instrument - the Spirocore's a little more midrangey but I can live with that.
Anyway I tried what I had in the drawer: Spirocore med, Permanent, and D'Addario orchestra. I like the Spirocore because it matches the diameter of the other strings, unlike the other two which are a bit thinner. After another day of playing on it I'd say the sound is a good match on my instrument - the Spirocore's a little more midrangey but I can live with that.
-The_Other
Yes, my Animas have been on for about 8 months, and the E still hasn't opened up or blended with the other strings. It's a pain because I really like these strings!
How is the sustain on the Spirocores compared to the Animas?
I like the Animas because of their shorter sustain. (except for my E string, which sounds dead).
Thanks -Daniel Y
Well there's definitely more sustain from the Spirocores as we all know. Which is not to say that you have to play them 'like that' - I have a reasonably high action, so I get a satisfyingly thumpy sound out of the full set of Spiros: big fundamental, not much "mwah." You can learn to articulate them to sound pretty dark - I read an interview with Ben Allison ages ago where he talked about getting a really gut-like sound out of Spiros.
Be warned though, the E I'm using with the Animas is a couple of years old and probably quite dead.
The problem you describe with the Anima E is pretty much what I've had: much less volume and sustain and some weird overtones - and the string growl is almost as loud as the note.
I think my bass responds better to higher tension on the lower strings - strings that increase in tension high to low, like Spirocores, have usually sounded better than the Pirastro strings I've tried, which decrease slightly in tension high to low (see the string tension chart stickied in this forum). I suspect the matched tension of the Velvet sets just doesn't do it for all instruments.
Be warned though, the E I'm using with the Animas is a couple of years old and probably quite dead.
The problem you describe with the Anima E is pretty much what I've had: much less volume and sustain and some weird overtones - and the string growl is almost as loud as the note.
I think my bass responds better to higher tension on the lower strings - strings that increase in tension high to low, like Spirocores, have usually sounded better than the Pirastro strings I've tried, which decrease slightly in tension high to low (see the string tension chart stickied in this forum). I suspect the matched tension of the Velvet sets just doesn't do it for all instruments.
Well, I put on a Spirocore Orchestra medium E, and compared it with my Anima E and the winner is... Spirocore. The strange harmonics have gone and there is more sustain (but not too much 
). I was expecting the E to be very bright and not blend with the Animas, but it sounds quite dark and round to my ears. Loud too.The Animas have a front to the note that this Spirocore doesn't seem to. The Spirocore E has more tension than the Anima, and surprisingly the Spirocore E is thicker than the Anima E.
One more thing... I don't know whether i'm imagining things, but the rest of the strings sound better too (especially the A and D). Could the higher tension of the Spirocore be good for my bass???
). I was expecting the E to be very bright and not blend with the Animas, but it sounds quite dark and round to my ears. Loud too.The Animas have a front to the note that this Spirocore doesn't seem to. The Spirocore E has more tension than the Anima, and surprisingly the Spirocore E is thicker than the Anima E.One more thing... I don't know whether i'm imagining things, but the rest of the strings sound better too (especially the A and D). Could the higher tension of the Spirocore be good for my bass???
I thinking of investing in a set of Velvets and I'm having a hard time choosing between Garbos and Animas. I play jazz (on a '49 American Standard) and arco isn't much of a concern. I'm looking for a fat warm pizz sound. From Velvet's description it sounds like Garbos would be the pick, but it seems a lot of guys 'round here are using Animas in a jazz setting with great results.
My wife wants to get me a set for Father's day...so now I just need to decide...
Thanks,
John
My wife wants to get me a set for Father's day...so now I just need to decide...
Thanks,
John
Garbos are generally more diffused sounding, more like a traditional gut sound. Animas are a bit more "modern" sounding, with more sustain and focus. Both have a fat, warm pizz sound, it just depends on which one you're after.
- May 6, 2003
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- Proprietor Fifth Avenue Fret Shop. Technical Editor Bass Gear Magazine
I've played both. I prefer the Animas.
Garbos would be a better bluegrass string I think. The Anima is more defined and a bit more refined. Anima is rich where the Garbo is girth. The Anima is like a halfway point between a spirocore and a Gut set.
Read the threads on those as they have a large getting to know you factor that many don't hang through.
Give yourself a couple months before you hate them or love them.
Garbos would be a better bluegrass string I think. The Anima is more defined and a bit more refined. Anima is rich where the Garbo is girth. The Anima is like a halfway point between a spirocore and a Gut set.
Read the threads on those as they have a large getting to know you factor that many don't hang through.
Give yourself a couple months before you hate them or love them.
Uncletoad said:
Funny...I didn't have that at all. I played Garbos on a friend's bass and liked them instantly. Based on that, I ordered Animas, and loved them, right off the bat.
But they are quirky, and I always suggest that people try them first. That said, virtually everyone who has played my bass with the Animas has loved them, and a few people have put them on their own basses.
I've used Animas for 1+ years, never tried Garbos, but based on everything I've read Animas are a good first introduction to the Velvet world, especially if you're coming from steel strings and play mostly pizz.
I would be interested in what you decide on and how they work out for you as you use them.
Dwight
Dwight
I have for some time avoided the almost overwhelming urge to try Animas, but once I find the 'new' bass I am looking for I will most likely be unable to resist. 
So my question to the Anima (ab)users is - did you have to have the nut slots re-cut to accomodate the Animas' width, and if so, what happens then when you want to change to 'normal' width strings again?
My present bass seems to always be in and out of the luthiers' and I don't want to start that with another one.
Andy
So my question to the Anima (ab)users is - did you have to have the nut slots re-cut to accomodate the Animas' width, and if so, what happens then when you want to change to 'normal' width strings again?
My present bass seems to always be in and out of the luthiers' and I don't want to start that with another one.
Andy
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