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Double Bass Velvet Garbos double bass strings megathread part I

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#82
Was curious to hear how you would like them. I know how you feel about strings-different players, different basses, etc. They sound VG on my setup too. I didn't stretch them or tune high at first and it took a long time until they held pitch. Small price though. Enjoy.
 
#84
Originally posted by oldsaw
All kidding aside, I have thought seriously about trying wrapped gut but the one big question is how they are in playing classical music i.e. fast passages on the A & E.
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Mark,

You know I've used Animas, Oliv, and Eudoxa on A and E. Forget about it with the Animas. Oliv and Eudoxa both sound utterly gorgeous. As for fast passages on the A and E, it all depends on your technique. For me, on the string was scratchy but workable. For Doug Mapp, no problem.
 
#87
Originally posted by oldsaw
Is Doug now using wrapped gut on his uncles bass? I also remember reading that you are not using wrapped gut. What made you and Doug decide to change?
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Doug never had gut on that bass. He never had a problem playing the set up on my bass.

I've had Weichs on my bass since July. I was playing a kinda regular gig where I had to set up right under an AC vent. My bass was never in tune and my strings went pretty dead. I needed new strings and thought I'd try Spiros since I'd been curious. FWIW, I'm ready to take them off and go back to gut or maybe Obligatos.
 
#88
My fingers may regret this, but I ordered a set of Spirocore Starks last week to see if they can help cure my bass of the "cold" it's had for awhile now. They're on backorder now, but once they get here and I've had a chance to play them for a while, I'll post a review if I have any fingers left to type with.
 
#89
Originally posted by Chris Fitzgerald
My fingers may regret this, but I ordered a set of Spirocore Starks last week to see if they can help cure my bass of the "cold" it's had for awhile now. They're on backorder now, but once they get here and I've had a chance to play them for a while, I'll post a review if I have any fingers left to type with.
Click to expand...


I hope this works, but if it doesn't, consider going the other direction. I was a confirmed Spiro user for years. However, when I bought my 30's Juzek (or whatever the hell it is), it sounded like it had a head cold, choked and nasal. It didn't sound that way with the ancient strings that were on it when I bought it. After trying numerous things, a really good luthier looked at it and said that the way the top was arched, he would be willing to bet it would sound much better with lower tension strings like gut. I tried it, and voila, it worked.

He told me some luthier mumbo jumbo about how he makes his competition violins different for steel or gut string competitions (that's what it said on the trophies lining his walls).

Anyway, if higher tension doesn't help, try tuning down a half step for awhile and see how your bass reacts.

Monte
 
#90
Originally posted by Monte



I hope this works...

Man, me too. I've got some (relatively for the Ohio valley, that is...) higher profile gigs coming up soon, and I want my punchy sound back. Right now I've raised the strings up quite a bit, which helps a lot.


....but if it doesn't, consider going the other direction. I was a confirmed Spiro user for years. However, when I bought my 30's Juzek (or whatever the hell it is), it sounded like it had a head cold, choked and nasal. It didn't sound that way with the ancient strings that were on it when I bought it. After trying numerous things, a really good luthier looked at it and said that the way the top was arched, he would be willing to bet it would sound much better with lower tension strings like gut. I tried it, and voila, it worked.

He told me some luthier mumbo jumbo about how he makes his competition violins different for steel or gut string competitions (that's what it said on the trophies lining his walls).

Anyway, if higher tension doesn't help, try tuning down a half step for awhile and see how your bass reacts.

Monte
Click to expand...


Thanks for the tip - it sounds a lot like what David K said about his bass...he got better results with lower tension. Unfortunately, on my rather heavy Czech bass, tension seems to be what makes it go. I'm still a bit confused about the mixture of two issues here: tension, and string height. I wonder if I'll get a punchier sound with the Starks without having to set the height so far off the board, or if the tension doesn't really matter and it's all about the height. Ah well, only one way to find out, eh?
 
#91
I will give another review when they are worn in(if they stay on the bass that long)......

My first impressions were pretty good. I like the idea of having the loops intead of the ball ends. The strings are different from any other strings I have played. They are not very smooth. I like the feel of the G, but I am not so sure of the other three. The E string is wound with round copper wire. I expected them to be ground flat, but it isn't. This may cause my fingerboard to wear a lot quicker. My fingers are black after playing them!

Sound: Nice. They are very clear, but warm at the same time. Not metallic sounding at all. They are very even and balanced sounding, and they feel really nice.

I am going to give them a week. If I can't get used to the feel, and I notice my fingeboard is wearing, Thomastik Weichs are going back on!
 
#92
I am not noticing any wear on my fingerboard either. I thought this was going to be a problem, but it turns out it isn't. I am really starting to like these strings. They have an open clarity that I have not experienced before.

When I first tried to bow them, forget it! I couldn't get a good attack half the time. I just picked up some Nymans Rosin though , and what a difference it made! It really responds well with these strings.
 
#93
The Animas ate up my fingerboard and my fingertips. The windings (which were definitely not flat) did that and also produced a raspy arco sound.

For the sound I was looking for, the Eudoxas and Olivs are a much better choice. The only downside is the stability of the tuning. The Animas were quite stable and I'm sure either of the compas sets would be even less prone to going out of tune.

Adrian
 
#94
I have to play quite a bit of arco in the theatre show I am doing, and I don't have enough time to adjust to these strings. They have a big clear sound, but they are difficult to bow. I am going to take them off for now....
 
#95
Yesterday I went to music shop where I regularly buy strings and other stuff ( to ask for Spirocore Starks ). A new AI Contra had just arrived to the shop so I had to give it a try. I didn´t have my Bass with me, so I took one of their Czech plywoods and we fast-installed a Fishman pick-up to the bridge top with the fasteners. The Bass was strung with Velvet Garbos. And here´s the story:
Well, the first three minutes I just tried to figure out how to play with those strings...I always thought that my chops are a bit hard side, but the first sound was just Buzz Buzz Twang Klang RRÄPS Viuuh Buzz Klang...until I realized that those strings reguire about 1/5 of my normal strength, no matter that the action was kinda super-high!
I forgot to ask if the Garbos are real or synthetic gut ( the G was wrapped with something that looked like nylon, the rest were copper wound ), but after I learned how to deal with the rubber-band-ishness, they played like honey and butter...and sounded that way too. Plugged into new AI Contra ( with Fishman, no pre-amp ) the sound and feel was just as great!!
Have to start rethinking my gear....never thought amplified gut would sound so nice.

R2D2
 
#96
Garbo's are $$$!

I have a set of Velvet Compas that I am presently not using. I can't get a decent attack arco. They have a big clear tone, and are quite loud.

I have noticed that after taking off the Compas and putting Olives on top, that my bass has lost volume...I may put the Velvets back on in April. My present gig requires a lot of arco.
 
#97
Yeah, megabucks involved.
I called to the shop and they gave me the retail price: € 350,- incl. tax, which is the same in $.

Anyhow, the Garbos seemed to lack same balls
( physically too, the tailpiece end is looped ).
I did like the sound and feel, but in the end I got the expression that is was just not really ME, if You understand.

Have not tried the Compas, but if You intend to sell them, throw me a PM, so we can discuss about the price. How are they wound?

R2D2
 
#98
Got a set of Garbos a few weeks ago. MY GOD I LOVE THESE THINGS. Ed you'll be pleased to know that I can finally answer all my own questions about Spiros versus Garbos. These things are never coming off until Velvet makes something better WOW. Anyway I was wondering if any other Garbo users can advise me on what if any maintence methods are necessary for these things. Do they need to be treated with any sort of oil, or could they just be wipped down. If I need to treat these how often shoukd I do so? :D
 
#99
the Velvet web FAQ says just wipe them down after playing, and occasionally use a cloth dampened w/ rubbing alcohol.
(velvetstrings.com)
I love the Animas, which is a good thing given the cost. Has anyone seen any suppliers offering serious discounts on em?
 
#100
Help…

I’m currently using Velvet Garbo D & G-strings, but I’m finding the A & E a little unresponsive. Has anyone ‘mixed and matched’ the Velvet D & G with a more ‘responsive’ A & E string?
Obligatos…Animas…Eudoxas?

The problem I’m finding is that when I amplify the bass, either through my Schertler system or the Clarus amp with an E.A. Wizzy 12”, the D & G strings sound so different from the A & E strings (…Currently Superflexibles) that it sounds like two different basses!
The problem is not that one sounds better than the other, more that they sound so different.

Has anyone encountered (….and overcome) this kind of thing…and if so what did they do?

I have to say though...and its something that often crosses my mind, does anyone other than us ‘bass players’ notice the difference?

For my part I suppose I’m in search of a combination of strings that provide a great and consistent sound whether I decide to play a phrase at the bottom of the bass…or in the dusty ‘No mans land’ at the top of the bass.


---------------------------
Plus..

Does any one know what type of string Larry Grenadier used in the mid 90’s?

i.e. Bruce Barth’s ‘Morning Call’ period (1994 ish)…a short, very ‘gut’ sound…. percussive at the bottom of the bass.

…To the longer sustain string sound of.

‘Native Colours’ with Billy Drummond, Renee Rosnes etc..circa ‘95
‘Art of the trio Vol 2’ Brad album etc
Chris Potter ‘ moving in’ etc….
’95 onwards…

He seems to now use the Garbos…..

Brad’Meldhau’s ‘Places’
&
Peter Bernstein’s ‘+3’ etc…

Anyone any ideas..?

Thanks,

Mark
 
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