Double Bass Velvet strings megathread part II

[SAlcott]

Same here-I had two d strings come apart at the top where the string is glued into the part that goes around the tuning peg; once on a jazz gig and the replacement in an orchestra concert. It was NOT due to the nut being cut incorrectly-if anything, the slot is too wide. They need to come up with a different way of attaching the strings to both ends if they want to keep selling them. it's a shame, because I and my bass both really like the Animas; I just can't afford to take the chance on breakage. Also hat's off to the folks at Lemur for being really helpful.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

I broke an E once. Other than that, they lasted fine. I still have an old set laying around that's been on and off the bass a couple of times.

 

[Phil Redman]

I'm thinkin' I'll try a set of Spiros. I've actually never tried them.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

The first set I had on my bass for almost 3 years, I only changed it becuase I had a new bridge installed. The second set has been on since then, Sept 05.

 

[MingusAmongUs]

hmm, maybe I was thinking of dominants.... my bad

 

[neal davis]

how much time do most people expect to get out of strings, I've used velvets for years and only had a problem on one D string which they sent out a replacement for because it was within the year I bought it, I think if you get at least a year out of a set of strings that is a good thing, I've had spiros, dominants, olivs, euduxas, heliocores break in less than a year, if you like the strings and the way they sound use them.

 

[M Ramsey]

I've got a D & A Anima on my bass now and they both are about 2.5 years old. There was a complete set on and back in April my G began buzzing and I saw the winding coming apart at the bridge, knew it was dying and put it out of MY misery. I put on a Garbo G (which I like better).

Within the week, while the bass was sitting on the floor, I heard a pop as my son was mixing a song. The bass wasn't being used so I didn't discover it until the next day and the E string had broken above the nut and prior to the winding on the peg. So, on goes the Garbo E.

I've been playing this mixed set since then, debating on changing the A & D, my son says, "Dad, why don't you just wait until those give up as well?" Now, I hope I'm not going to get reported to the Velvet police that make statements about not mixing or combining these strings with others!

Have I mentioned how smart he is at times? I keep the spares I have in my bass bags (I carry both guts and Velvets in each bag) so....I'm just biding my time...waiting...

Satisfied with the Velvet strings.

 

[Phil Redman]

how much time do most people expect to get out of strings,

Good question. I've always thought more than a year anyway. The Velvets are spendy little buggers so I'm not thrilled with the shortish life-span I've experienced with them. Still love the sound and feel though.

Cheers,
Phil

 

[M Ramsey]

Good question. I've always thought more than a year anyway. The Velvets are spendy little buggers so I'm not thrilled with the shortish life-span I've experienced with them. Still love the sound and feel though.

Cheers,
Phil

Phil,

get you some big gauge Gamut gut strings! Now, I know that sounds crazy, but spend $425-$450 for a complete set and then make them last for 40 years or so. And they will if you take care of them.

Old Superman plays guts all the time and they last for years! But, arco may be your bag and most all this stuff about guts gets thrown out with the wash. But, $425 divided by even 10-15 years breaks down to $42.50 to $28 per year.

It's something to think about if it fits your style of playing.

 

[Steve Killingsworth]

Almost two years and they are still going strong.

 

[Don Higdon]

I'm sure I got 2+ years, despite taking them off and on different basses at least 4 times. But they did go dead, unlike spirocores.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

get you some big gauge Gamut gut strings! Now, I know that sounds crazy, but spend $425-$450 for a complete set and then make them last for 40 years or so. And they will if you take care of them.

Boy, that's one of the things that really appeals to me about guts. I don't care if I ever install another set of strings. Don't dig it much.

Here's an interesting quote from Barry Green's "The Fundamentals Of Double Bass Playing";

"Gut strings..... last approximately two to six months before
having to be replaced".

Not on my budget, buddy! My wife would lock up my credit cards if I rolled like that.

 

[milomo]

From 2 months to 40 years - Wow! I don't care what Barry Green says, 2 months is ridiculous. I play guts, and I know several gut string bass players, and I know for a fact their strings last a lot longer than that. If you're only getting 2 months out of a string, then something is wrong, either with the strings or your bass. And 40 years (let alone 10 to 15), i've never heard that before. Honestly, i've never heard more than a year or two. Obviously longevity depends on the guage of the string (especially if they're unwrapped), how much you work, the climate you live in, how much you sweat and the acidity level of your skin. No matter how you slice it, gut strings are a terrible investment compared to steel..unless you just have to have that sound, in which case they're worth every penny, despite the expense, and despite what a pain in the ass they can be sometimes.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

It also probably depends on the tone that you require from gut strings. If you're laying down big fat bass lines, you can get years out of them. If your trying to solo on them, maybe not so much. I'd love to ask Pettiford, Mingus, PC, etc., how often they changed strings. Probably laugh at me or punch me out.... maybe both.

RE: Animas, I feel I may have been partly responsible for the breakage of the E, by noy reslotting my bridge, where it broke. The ones that remain sound wonderful on the bass. If I hadn't been looking for better arco characteristics, they would probably still be on the bass.

 

[SAlcott]

When I was in the house band at the last incarnation of Eddie Condon's in the early 80s, I loaned my bass to an older player for the brunch gig since I was playing at night. He said, "Nice bass; I can't believe you have gut strings on it-we couldn't wait to get rid of those!"

 

[jlilley]

Mine started buzzing almost exactly a year after I put them on. I love the sound up til that point.
Right now I'm digging Dom E and A with Gamut D and G.
John

 

[milomo]

When I was in the house band at the last incarnation of Eddie Condon's in the early 80s, I loaned my bass to an older player for the brunch gig since I was playing at night. He said, "Nice bass; I can't believe you have gut strings on it-we couldn't wait to get rid of those!"

Yeah, I've heard that from a few older guys. They all switched, some liking the sound of steel strings, some just glad there was finally an alternative. My favorite line on gut strings is from Ron Carter. To paraphrase - "Do all these bass players who use gut strings also use wooden tires on their cars?"

 

[Phil Redman]

Thanks for the posts. This discussion has caused me to revise my expectations of string longevity somewhat.

Phil

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

It's reassuring as well - I've had Animas on for over 2 years now and they sound better and better to me, so I'm hoping they don't break soon!

 

[Marcus Johnson]

My favorite line on gut strings is from Ron Carter. To paraphrase - "Do all these bass players who use gut strings also use wooden tires on their cars?"

Nah.... maybe just the ones that don't want to sound like a giant mosquito.