Double Bass Velvet strings megathread part II

[Ed Fuqua]

I'm wagering that's an ED thing, more than a string thing.

Credit where it's due baby.

Joe Solomon?

 

[Shaun Kelley]

I have been using the 180s for about 2.5 years now. Except for the E string's proprnsity for breaking (once when I was standing on stage at a festival, 2 minutes before we were to start) I love them. Best string for orchestral-arco-AND-jazz-style-pizz I have ever heard or played. I got a set of 360s and was just plain horrified by their sound (and appearance). BTW, the Velvet tailpiece cord makes a difference in their sound IMO. One doesn't really get the lower-tension trip as well without it.

Shaun Kelley

 

[Kevin Hsieh]

When I get back to New York, I'm going to change from Spirocores to Velvets. I've played and heard three basses with these strings and they sound great, exactly the sound I want to get.

I've heard Garbos, but haven't heard Animas. My understanding is that Animas are more bowable than the Garbos, but have a darker sound (which might be suitable to my brighter bass), but the Garbos really sound great on all the basses I've heard. The Garbos do tend to be very loose though.

For those who use, have heard, or have played on Velvets, give me your opinion.

 

[Uncletoad]

I like the Animas over the Garbos.

I couldn't keep using them myself. I hung up on them to much. I wish they were wrapped with something else.

 

[ctxbass]

I had Garbos on my bass for a few weeks. I really liked the responsiveness and the even tension from string to string.
They were easily heard on stage. Short-lived love affair for me though; not my sound.

 

[Nuno A.]

When I get back to New York, I'm going to change from Spirocores to Velvets. I've played and heard three basses with these strings and they sound great, exactly the sound I want to get.

I've heard Garbos, but haven't heard Animas. My understanding is that Animas are more bowable than the Garbos, but have a darker sound (which might be suitable to my brighter bass), but the Garbos really sound great on all the basses I've heard. The Garbos do tend to be very loose though.

For those who use, have heard, or have played on Velvets, give me your opinion.

Kevin, although i cant help you with your decision because as you know, this is all very subjective, the Garbos are darker than the Animas and not the oposite, the Animas are a bit brighter than the Garbos and also have more articulation and sustain. About bowing, i know people who bow both (i cant bow either, but there arent many strings i can bow) , however the Garbos are harder to bow, and the G because of the polyester winding is in my opinion very hard to bow, i know lots of players who tell me that they like the sound of bowed Animas and that although they had to change their bowing technique, they are ok with that, i know also other players who say that Animas are almost impossible to bow, i would say they are not the easiest string for arco, but if your good with the bow and put some time on it, you will make it. As always the best thing is to try them with your bass and see if they give you what you need.
good luck
Nuno

 

[Phil Rowan]

I started with the Garbos (this is several years ago), but soon after switched over to Animas, which to me felt just as close to the gut feel/sound I know and love. IME, there was a bit more definition in the Animas, whereas the Garbos were almost a bit too thick/floppy/muddy. If I were to go back to Velvets, I'd be curious about trying out the Compas 180 Orch's, which are supposed to have a nice, warm sound with more definition than the Animas (not to mention being more arco friendly).

 

[SAlcott]

If you MUST try Velvet strings, the Animas are the most versatile, IMO. I really liked them til I had two D strings come apart on gigs. EPs are it for me right now.

 

[Jim Calhoun]

I'm about to take the plunge and install a set of Animas on my bass. I'm looking forward to the big pizz sound that I've experienced on other basses, but I do enjoy playing with the bow (mostly jazz arco these days) so I have some questions regarding Anima arco.

For those of you who've had success in bowing Animas, I'm interested in what you did in terms of bow weight, speed, placement, and type and amount of rosin - you know, the usual variables in producing a good arco sound.

I know that there's no substitute for just getting in there and doing it, but any advice that you might have for me would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Jim

 

[Ed Fuqua]

I dunno, I usually just rub the hair part on the string?{EDIT - this remark is intended as a humorous assessment of my own inadequacies, not anyone else's}

Siriusly, I am just at the beginning of my arco journey but going from Corellis on the studio bass, Olivs on my teacher's bass and Animas on mine, it all gets sorted out within a few notes without having to put much thought into it at all.

 

[Carl Johnson]

I basically gave up bowing on my bass with Animas on it; I have a two basses and the other is strung with Spirocore which I bow on…

 

[TroyK]

...I have a two basses and the other is strung with Spirocore which I bow on…

Out of curiousity, what gauge?

 

[SAlcott]

I found the Animas easy to bow, even with my minimal chops.

 

[tranehead]

might be a bit rough since those are roundwound. Rufus Reid does it, but I use the Compas 180 SUIT which are the classical strings (and the lower tension ones) and 95% of my gigs are jazz and they sound GREAT! And they are flatwound and bow more beautifully than the set of Eudoxas I used to have. Can't say enough nice things about that product and the company. Nuno Alexandre was a great help to me last year when I had some problems. Nice people there.

 

[Reuben]

I love Animas. But my sweat turns them black and crusty no matter what I do.

One more reason to love Spirocores.

 

[Uncletoad]

I love Animas. But my sweat turns them black and crusty no matter what I do.

One more reason to love Spirocores.

 

[Menacewarf]

Hey Jim,

When can I come out and here the Velvet in action?

 

[Paul New]

Animas are, for me, the best compromise string. You get some of the spiro sustain and articulation, and some of the big sound of gut.

I`ve had a set on for 2 years and they just keep getting better. The even tension string to string is nice too, especially when using a piezo.

 

[Jim Calhoun]

Thanks for the replys. I guess I'll just put 'em on and get to work. BTW, the Animas are not round wound. If you compare them to BG strings, they're closer to ground wound or half round.

Hi Bryon. I'm playing a show over at the Camelot Theatre until June 15th and will install the Animas after that. I'll send you a PM when I'm playing next and you can come out and play my bass and see what you think (I'd like to check out your Strunal sometime, too).

Jim

P.S. Ed, I took your remark exactly as intended - with humor. I certainly have my own inadequacies to worry about.......

 

[Carl Johnson]

TroyK -

Out of curiousity, what gauge?

I've been using Weicks on my arco bass. Been thinking about slapping Belcantos on but their expensive....

As for the Animas, I can bow them I just can get a great sound out of them. Some folks can, I can't
Other thing I don't like about Animas and the bow; is that the ridges in the wrappings grab and pull hair out of my bow.