I just had my first Anima G string break today. It had been on and off (maybe why it broke?) for around 6 months. I have been swapping Olivs, Evahs and Animas looking for the perfect combo with my bass. I am back to Evah E A and D and Oliv G. This ws my first problem with velvets. The previous set I had on for over a year or so before they lost their "edge" and sounded a little too dead.
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Double Bass Velvet strings megathread part II
- Thread starter PB+J
- Start date
- Status
I had Animas on for over a year, with no problems.
I did get rid of the E string though because I didn't like something about it, although I can't remember what it was.
I put them on back in 2003 or 2004 and the luthier who put them on had never seen them before. He burnt a piece of the fiber, I remember him thinking I was ******** for spending so much money on a string with a nylon core.
O well, I still think they sound good and look even better. =D
I did get rid of the E string though because I didn't like something about it, although I can't remember what it was.
I put them on back in 2003 or 2004 and the luthier who put them on had never seen them before. He burnt a piece of the fiber, I remember him thinking I was ******** for spending so much money on a string with a nylon core.
O well, I still think they sound good and look even better. =D
Just for the record, Animas (and all Velvet Strings at the moment) have a silk core and not a nylon core, about breakages, Velvet strings have a 1 year warranty, so if something goes wrong during that period you can write to info(at)velvetstrings(dot)com and explain what happened, usually we will ask for a picture of the damage that you can send with the email to see what happened. And changing strings from bass to bass is not an excuse for a breakage, if the strings are mounted right, the slots of bridges and nut are apropriate, you should be able to take and put back strings without problems
thanks
Nuno
thanks
Nuno
Thanks Nuno. I sent an email with pics of the broken strings and receipt. I hope that works for getting a replacement!
RShew
- Mar 1, 2002
- 4,237
- 52
- 74
- Disclosures
- Owner: Ken Smith Basses, Ltd.
Hi, of all people I have a question about how to install these new Strings. I have two sets. One is lighter tension with black at both ends (left them in the office) and the other has black at one end with some red, blue, green, and twist on the E-C at the start of the black thread winding and red at the other end.
The Red/black are the medium tension strings (I think) and I have a long E/C extension string as well for that set.
Which end goes in the Tailpiece? There is no loop-end like the used to have. This is how the old ones looked before when I tried them 3 years ago;
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It looks like a white colored loop end. Sorry I don't have better pics to show the string loop but I never thought this would be a problem for me of all people.
At this point I can only assume that the self-tie end (which ever end that is) was made this way this to adjust the length of string needed so the metal windings don't go over the tuner post.
Now I learned a few knots when I was a boy scout and I also used to fish and tie my own leader/hooks. I guess I will figure out what kind of knot to use eventually.
Also, when I figure this out (hopefully with some TB help) how much stretching should I expect? I have a small concert tomorrow night and want to try these new strings that I have heard so much about.
The Red/black are the medium tension strings (I think) and I have a long E/C extension string as well for that set.
Which end goes in the Tailpiece? There is no loop-end like the used to have. This is how the old ones looked before when I tried them 3 years ago;
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
It looks like a white colored loop end. Sorry I don't have better pics to show the string loop but I never thought this would be a problem for me of all people.
At this point I can only assume that the self-tie end (which ever end that is) was made this way this to adjust the length of string needed so the metal windings don't go over the tuner post.
Now I learned a few knots when I was a boy scout and I also used to fish and tie my own leader/hooks. I guess I will figure out what kind of knot to use eventually.
Also, when I figure this out (hopefully with some TB help) how much stretching should I expect? I have a small concert tomorrow night and want to try these new strings that I have heard so much about.
Hi Ken.
Please check:
http://www.lnrmusic.com/images/velvetdetail.pdf
Also:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=155284
Hope this helps!
Regards,
François
Please check:
http://www.lnrmusic.com/images/velvetdetail.pdf
Also:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=155284
Hope this helps!
Regards,
François
- Mar 1, 2002
- 4,237
- 52
- 74
- Disclosures
- Owner: Ken Smith Basses, Ltd.
Thanks Francois but it still doesn't tell me which end goes where. I even went to the Velvet website. Maybe it doesn't matter but I would like to know if the Red is up or down. Right now I have the G and A string on with the Red down on the TP. I am about to put the D string on. As delicate as these strings may be from what I have read, I don't know if I can afford to do it wrong and do it again without damaging the strings.
I have bought toys for my kids with better instructions. Plus, there is little play to tune the Bass and not get the lowest string on the Post. On my Bass, the A-string is the lowest. With the pegbox narrow already, having an extension doesn't help with threading thru the flexible ends.
I am putting them on this Bass and as you can see, the cheeks are tight;
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This is a long but narrow Scroll/pegbox. Not much room to get my fingers in there.
If it ends up that I have them in the opposite way, do I need to turn the music upside down to read it??
I have bought toys for my kids with better instructions. Plus, there is little play to tune the Bass and not get the lowest string on the Post. On my Bass, the A-string is the lowest. With the pegbox narrow already, having an extension doesn't help with threading thru the flexible ends.
I am putting them on this Bass and as you can see, the cheeks are tight;
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]Invalid Link Removed
This is a long but narrow Scroll/pegbox. Not much room to get my fingers in there.
If it ends up that I have them in the opposite way, do I need to turn the music upside down to read it??
- Mar 1, 2002
- 4,237
- 52
- 74
- Disclosures
- Owner: Ken Smith Basses, Ltd.
Ok, they are on. Right or wrong, I have them on the Bass. The toughest string change I have ever had to do. I could barely get the Extension string in as it was barely long enough to get into the Post and wrap it twice before tuning it up. If I had 3 hands it would have been easier. If not for laying the Bass down over a couch propped up, 4 hands would have been needed.
I don't see how people will like changing these strings regardless of how good they are. Right now I am too worn out to even play the Bass. I will check the tuning over the next couple of hours then I have to go to sleep. Tomorrow I have a Concert and will try them out and see how they do. Nothing major on the program so I can do a live test without risking my reputation.
The E/C doesn't seem to Bow all that quick and playing fast runs like in Beethoven seems a bit scratchy to my ear. For what it's worth, the strings I took off were regular Flexocor G,D and A with a Superflexible E/C. The Bow is an original certified C.N Bazin and I am using Kolstein Rosin. I don't think it's my equipment so it must be the strings on this particular Bass as they just seem a bit harder to Bow. Let's just wait and see as it really is too quick to judge. Plus, I don't have the energy for another String change..
I don't see how people will like changing these strings regardless of how good they are. Right now I am too worn out to even play the Bass. I will check the tuning over the next couple of hours then I have to go to sleep. Tomorrow I have a Concert and will try them out and see how they do. Nothing major on the program so I can do a live test without risking my reputation.
The E/C doesn't seem to Bow all that quick and playing fast runs like in Beethoven seems a bit scratchy to my ear. For what it's worth, the strings I took off were regular Flexocor G,D and A with a Superflexible E/C. The Bow is an original certified C.N Bazin and I am using Kolstein Rosin. I don't think it's my equipment so it must be the strings on this particular Bass as they just seem a bit harder to Bow. Let's just wait and see as it really is too quick to judge. Plus, I don't have the energy for another String change..
Ken:
Usually the red part is up, so that the black part is at the tailpiece and you can see the color codes for each string at the portion of the string after the bridge( red -G, green -D, blue - A, black -E) , but at the end it really doesnt matter, you can put whatever end you prefer up or down.
about the loop, the reason that the 180's dont have the loop is because this way you can control the lenght of the string and avoid the metal winding going into the tuning machine, this is a necessity since these strings can break if the metal winding will go inside the tuning machines.
usually what i do when installing these strings is start from the top and leave the hard portion of the string that connects the metal winding to the cloth at the nut or 1 cm above, just after that i will knot the string at the tailpiece, the string will stretch and will be out of the nut. about the knot, you dont need to be a sailor or a boy scout, just 3 or 4 loops and the string will hold
.
i know these strings can be a pain to mount specially on the 1st times, but its really a question of getting used, we cant change the mounting way because like i said before, the metal winding shouldnt go inside the tuning machines. About your show tomorrow, i dont think the strings will be ready because the silk core needs more time until its completely stretched, the 180's because they have a thinner core, take less time to stretch but still i would say a few days or even a week depending on how much you play.
About the strings you tried in the past, Velvet strings dont make these strings since 2000, they had the loop because 3 strings had the copper winding (like the Garbos and Animas) and so they were more resistant and the winding could go on the tuning machines , but the inox winding bows much better although is more fragile.
if your bass likes lower tension strings, the Suit will be better, you can try this by detuning the regular 180's half tone and see if the bass sounds better(by detuning half tone you will decrese 2kgs tension which will lead you exactly to the Compas Suit tension)
Hey, nevertheless you are officially the person who took longer to mount the 180's (2 hours right?), so maybe you will get a special compensation for that, ill let you know
email me if you need something else, thanks
Nuno
Usually the red part is up, so that the black part is at the tailpiece and you can see the color codes for each string at the portion of the string after the bridge( red -G, green -D, blue - A, black -E) , but at the end it really doesnt matter, you can put whatever end you prefer up or down.
about the loop, the reason that the 180's dont have the loop is because this way you can control the lenght of the string and avoid the metal winding going into the tuning machine, this is a necessity since these strings can break if the metal winding will go inside the tuning machines.
usually what i do when installing these strings is start from the top and leave the hard portion of the string that connects the metal winding to the cloth at the nut or 1 cm above, just after that i will knot the string at the tailpiece, the string will stretch and will be out of the nut. about the knot, you dont need to be a sailor or a boy scout, just 3 or 4 loops and the string will hold
.i know these strings can be a pain to mount specially on the 1st times, but its really a question of getting used, we cant change the mounting way because like i said before, the metal winding shouldnt go inside the tuning machines. About your show tomorrow, i dont think the strings will be ready because the silk core needs more time until its completely stretched, the 180's because they have a thinner core, take less time to stretch but still i would say a few days or even a week depending on how much you play.
About the strings you tried in the past, Velvet strings dont make these strings since 2000, they had the loop because 3 strings had the copper winding (like the Garbos and Animas) and so they were more resistant and the winding could go on the tuning machines , but the inox winding bows much better although is more fragile.
if your bass likes lower tension strings, the Suit will be better, you can try this by detuning the regular 180's half tone and see if the bass sounds better(by detuning half tone you will decrese 2kgs tension which will lead you exactly to the Compas Suit tension)
Hey, nevertheless you are officially the person who took longer to mount the 180's (2 hours right?), so maybe you will get a special compensation for that, ill let you know
email me if you need something else, thanks
Nuno
- Mar 1, 2002
- 4,237
- 52
- 74
- Disclosures
- Owner: Ken Smith Basses, Ltd.
Oops.. ok, I will have to turn the music upside down as well I guess.. lol This was one of the reasons it took so long. I was waiting for someone to tell me which end is up! PLEASE, tell Velvet to fix their website and mention this in their FAQs. The drawings for installation are not much help. That much I can figure out on my own. On the knot, I used the same kind of knot that I would use to tie a Fishing hook. Unless a Shark attacks my Bass, I should be ok as I didn't use any steel leader..lol
It was 2 hours from my TB post till the job was done but I did other things as well. Phone, TV, computer and some food. If it was any other string it would have been easily under an hour with the extension which can take a few minutes more. Also, at the shop I use a small needle nose pliers to undo and pull the other strings out as well as thread new strings in tight places like this Bass has in the peg box. This Bass is not one of the easiest to get into the tuners so it took a little longer. Still, all in all, I wish the job was easier.
Now that the strings are on the Bass and I have to play tonight I will just keep tuning it every chance I get. This is a fairly light Bass to carry over my Gilkes, Martini and even the large Shen. I will take the risk and bring the Bisiach Bass as planned. I am also playing in the Media Jazz Festival near Philly Saturday with this Bass so I hope the tuning is all settled by then. After that I will have done a good musical test using it both in a Classical/pops-type concert as well as a Jazz combo gig with an amp.
It was 2 hours from my TB post till the job was done but I did other things as well. Phone, TV, computer and some food. If it was any other string it would have been easily under an hour with the extension which can take a few minutes more. Also, at the shop I use a small needle nose pliers to undo and pull the other strings out as well as thread new strings in tight places like this Bass has in the peg box. This Bass is not one of the easiest to get into the tuners so it took a little longer. Still, all in all, I wish the job was easier.
Now that the strings are on the Bass and I have to play tonight I will just keep tuning it every chance I get. This is a fairly light Bass to carry over my Gilkes, Martini and even the large Shen. I will take the risk and bring the Bisiach Bass as planned. I am also playing in the Media Jazz Festival near Philly Saturday with this Bass so I hope the tuning is all settled by then. After that I will have done a good musical test using it both in a Classical/pops-type concert as well as a Jazz combo gig with an amp.
My string testing days are over. I absolutely adore the Velvet Anima set. I've never had an open G string sound good to me till I put on my Anima's. The upper register doesn't get thin like steel strings can and the bottom has a nice gut sound to it. For the sound that i have in my head, that old school P.C. sound, these strings help me to bring it out. The downside is that they are very expensive and only last a year before the strings began to die. To me, the sound is certainly worth the price I pay for them.
B-
B-
N,
I am very interested in the new gage.
I also have noticed the change. I have to say that the new Garbo G takes a long time to achieve my optimum sound. However I find it more stable than the old one. I only use G and would like to use the D as well.
Any chance you could package the G-D like the golden Spirals?
My biggest question is why did you change the color of the G?
To match the rest??
If you made G-D combo in the old G color I know a lot of us would buy them to replace the quirky but great Golden Spirals!
I am looking forward to trying Light gage. Are they available yet?
Invalid Link Removed
Matthew
I am very interested in the new gage.
I also have noticed the change. I have to say that the new Garbo G takes a long time to achieve my optimum sound. However I find it more stable than the old one. I only use G and would like to use the D as well.
Any chance you could package the G-D like the golden Spirals?
My biggest question is why did you change the color of the G?
To match the rest??
If you made G-D combo in the old G color I know a lot of us would buy them to replace the quirky but great Golden Spirals!
I am looking forward to trying Light gage. Are they available yet?
Invalid Link Removed
Matthew
I just put a used (6 months) set on my Chrissy. Love the sound except that there's a metallic ping to the notes; I'm guessing this will lessen in time, but I got to say, these are some beautiful sounding strings.....hope they last.
My 6-week old extended E string bought the farm this morning. I have a KC Strings extension and the place where the fabric and metal meets was around the top pulley. I was suspicious of this when I installed it but then figured this is a standard extension and the design should be sufficient. The D string is starting to unravel as well.
They're excellent strings-- super loud and big sound. I cannot take a chance on them anymore-- back to the good ol' dependable guts.
They're excellent strings-- super loud and big sound. I cannot take a chance on them anymore-- back to the good ol' dependable guts.
So, my cautionary tale.
I've been using Animas for about 2 years, and have had a love (mostly)/hate relationship with them.
About 2 weeks ago I went into David Gage and had Mike Weatherly put on a set of my previous faves (Thomastik rope cores, which I loved). I should also point out (ahem) that I wanted Mike to check the set-up and was NOT paying someone just to change my strings (
In short, I freaked out. I forced myself to play as-was for about a week, and have switched back to the Animas. Replacing them once a year is a small price to pay for peace of mind.
I've been using Animas for about 2 years, and have had a love (mostly)/hate relationship with them.
About 2 weeks ago I went into David Gage and had Mike Weatherly put on a set of my previous faves (Thomastik rope cores, which I loved). I should also point out (ahem) that I wanted Mike to check the set-up and was NOT paying someone just to change my strings (
In short, I freaked out. I forced myself to play as-was for about a week, and have switched back to the Animas. Replacing them once a year is a small price to pay for peace of mind.
So-
I've heard that mixing Velvets with other strings is frowned upon. As mentioned in another thread, I've partially switched back (G + D) leaving Superflexibles on the bottom.
I read recently that Larry Grenadier has an Anima G on top. Does anyone out there mix them up as well?
Thanks
I've heard that mixing Velvets with other strings is frowned upon. As mentioned in another thread, I've partially switched back (G + D) leaving Superflexibles on the bottom.
I read recently that Larry Grenadier has an Anima G on top. Does anyone out there mix them up as well?
Thanks
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