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Double Bass Velvet strings megathread part II

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#561
I didn't know what squirrelly under the bow felt like until these. I've been playing Mittels in orchestra for the last year + and didn't have the issues I have with the Blues. That's not their main use for me, though; it's a jazz thing. It's an amazing, bright jazz tone that I hope lasts more than a couple weeks. As things mellow, they'll bow better, I think.

The tape is to protect the strings from my quiver at the point where the fabric meets the metal.
 
#565
I've used Animas, Garbos, and most recently Garbo Lights. They are my favorite strings and make my friends steel strings feel impossible to play. However, I had the itch to give guts a try, and when someone posted a semi-used set of Lenzners on craigslist, I took the intestinal plunge. I loved the sound and feel immensely. Then the strings died on me, losing most of their tone and punch. I ordered a new set and put the Garbo lights back on while I waited. I was sorely disappointed with a tone that was metallic and stiff. Now the new Lenzners are on, and who knows how long they'll last in this desert climate. If I stay with guts or not, I don't know. BUT if I don't I will definitely use Garbos, if not Garbo Lights.
 
#567
Just got mine and put them on. I'm in class now, but I will have time to play with them later.

EDIT: I'll post my thoughts after I've played on them for a few days.

UPDATE: So far, I really dig 'em. They bow much better than I expected and my pizz sound is much bigger and more defined. I've been told more than once that one can actually hear what notes I'm playing now. :)
 
#568
Will Yager said:
...So far, I really dig 'em. They bow much better than I expected and my pizz sound is much bigger and more defined. I've been told more than once that one can actually hear what notes I'm playing now. :)
Click to expand...

So that's definitely a bigger sound... and that must be good.

Can anyone compare these strings to Animas? From the above, it sounds and looks like the Blues are a less expensive version of Animas without the silk.
 
#569
Sorry I can't compare the Blues to Animas as I haven't played the Animas (yet) but playing the Blues for about 2 weeks now I have a very positive opinion of them. I've only had spirocores (mittel then weichs) on my hybrid and the Velvets are a totally different kind of string. They are softer under the fingers - less pressure required - but need a little more height for good clarity. Not a lot higher, maybe 2mm more... I didn't have to adjust the bridge however as the lower tension allowed the top to rise a bit, taking care of this by itself. The sound is more "organic" or "woody" or something like that - it's hard to describe exactly but in comparison, the spiros sounded quite metallic - mainly because they are. The Blues don't have the same growl but can still have a certain raspiness if you really pull on them. I think they sound more even across the fingerboard without a particular "hot" string like I found with the spiros. I'm not a very accomplished arco player but they seem pretty easy to bow except the E which requires more attention to get started.
Well, thats my 2 cents worth - I'll leave further description to those with more experience....

Oh yes, they are louder too!
 
#570
I tried the Velvet Blues on a friends bass today. I'm quite suprised by the acoustic volume! They sound huge. But I did have some problems with the thin gauge because I play Garbos and I really love to dig in to those fat bastards ;)

As said, I was pleasently suprised by these strings, they are the best of both worlds. They have that growly sustain, they are responsive with lots of attack and I couldn't really tell a difference between The silk-core of my Garbos and the synthetic one on the Blues.

The top strings are thicker than Evah's, but not as thick as Oliv though.
 
#571
Compared to Weichs, how thick are these strings? Im going to get a set if I dont have to widen the bridge/nut slots. The Animas are too thick for the slots I have, but the compas strings seemed to fit fine.

Edit: I see above those measurements, does anyone know what the weich gages are, the Anima gages?
 
#573
I went from Weichs to Animas on my bass at one point, and I didn't change anything. I suppose the ideal thing would have been to widen the slots a little, but it sounded great, so I left it alone. IIRC, I didn't even raise the bridge adjusters.

That's usually how I do string swaps; just change 'em and see how it goes. So far, everything has sounded great on my bass. The Evahs are just screamin' right now, the whole bass is shaking. No changes to anything.
 
#576
i went from obligatos to animas a few year back, and didn't need to widen the nut or bridge grooves. the luthier who made my bass set it up with wide enough grooves for that string gauge.

i wouldn't go about adjusting the grooves unless they need it... like, if they are visibly cramped in the nut or if you hear buzzing from the nut.
 
#578
I just ordered a set of these. Will report back soon. The Compas 180s have a smooth (normal) kind of winding pretty much just like any steel strings. These appear to have a similar winding to the Animas (with the copper almost more of a roundwound thing).
 
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