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Double Bass Velvet strings megathread part II

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#982
Hi folks,

I've been using Spiro wiechs for about the last 18 months and they're my first named brand string since starting on double bass. Anyway I'm thinking its time for a change and I'd like to give Animas a try as I'd like a darker pizz sound but still with plenty of growl. From sound clips and forum talk I get the impression these strings will do that for me.

Thing is while I consider myself a primarily pizz player and am most interested in my pizz sound, at the moment I probably play more arco. I haven't found a lot of info on what Animas sound like bowed, merely that you can. I'de like some more knowledge before shelling out entirely too much of my money.

So could anyone describe the sound of bowed animas or better yet link me to someone playing them?

Cheers
 
#986
Hmm, IMPOSSIBLE to bow doesn't sound great to me, but then again Spiro's have a reputation as a hard to bow string and that's what I'm used to. Would you stay they'd be harder or easier than spiro weich.

Also as to my original question about tone, thanks aaronallen for that suggestion. The only snippet on his website bowed is the piece Caress the Thought. Would people agree thats the generally bowed tone. It's a bit more 'nasal' than I'd have expected, reminds me of a basson or a cor anglais. I can see why you said interesting.
 
#987
OK, I bought a used set a couple of years ago and really liked them. Both arco and pizz was very nice and the tension on a 43" string length bass was perfect. I liked them so much that I bought a new set, but traded that bass for a more normal bass. The new set was terrible under the bow. I started a thread because it was so bad. So, I sold that set and put the old set back on and they bowed better than spirocores and the pizz was still good. However, I'm back to spirocores and don't expect to return to Velvetland. Ranking easiest to hardest arco response is weich, mittel, Anima.
As much as I like Animas, having black fingers and needing to rely on an ancient set for decent tone under the bow isn't worth it.
 
#988
What is a "decent bowed tone" for every one? If you like the bowed sound of Paul Chambers you can get pretty close with Animas, especially the G-string. You won´t get a clean classical sound with them. I´ve tried spiros a few times after Animas but there´s really no going back for me. After Animas spiros sound dull on my bass every time with less overtones. I only sometimes use a Spiro weich E-string with the Animas for a bit more sustain. Also when my latest Anima D lost it´s sustain I replaced it with Velvet 180 orchestra D which is a great match if you need a bit more that singing sustain on D.

I´ve been using Animas after Spiros for many years now and on my bass they bow better than for example Spiro mittel A-string. You need a right rosin with Animas. On my bass the best is Nymans rosin. Pops doesn´t grip the Animas.

The windings on newer Anima sets have developed. They are less sticky and don´t color my fingers at all.

IMHO Animas are a great all around strings that bow very easily with Nymans rosin IF you dig the old school sound.
 
#989
I decided to switch my wound gut E and A over to the Garbo light for fall and winter.

However I was surprised to find that the copper wound portion of the string does not reach all the way to the A peg. The A peg on my bass is the top peg closest to the scroll. The copper ends with a black wrap that looks to be about an inch long. After that, there is a thin green braided winding that is not metal. It will reach to the peg. However when the string is tightened and tuned, it's the only portion of the string wound around the peg. Is this normal? Looks awfully frail... someone enlighten me, please!
 
#990
The copper doesn't reach the peg on my garbo A either, just the thin braided green part. I've had it for months with no problems at all. I actually didn't even notice it until you asked about this and went to check my bass.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it, however if it is still a concern, send Velvet an e-mail. They are extremely helpful and have always gotten back to me very quickly.
 
#991
Thanks for the feedback, doberman. The bass is on the bench now. I was hoping to get some quick feedback here and get her strung up with the Garbo or back to the gut before the end of the night. Guess it'll have to wait 'till morning...
 
#992
This thread has been helpful in my quest to learn more about the Garbo strings. Nuno also gave me some good info regarding the way the string winds into the peg and how they loop around the tail. Not sure if it has been covered, but as an added note, it is recommended that the strings be periodically cleaned with a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol. Thanks again, Nuno!
 
#993
...and the D string as well on my Animas. Although only fingered, not open-string. I'm having a hard time telling whether it's the string starting to fail as per some accounts, or if they just tend to vibrate more the closer you get to the finger in general and therefore buzz against the f/b more easily. Unfortauntely, I suspect the former, as I didn't have this problem when they first went on the bass; maybe the problem starts to happen as the strings are stretched out with the constant tuning up that they need (ie, maybe it pulls the windings further apart which causes the prob)?
If I clamp down good & hard, I can pretty much stop it, but then playing becomes impossible after a few minutes as the tension kills my left hand.

Tthe uncertainty of the exact cause has left me wondering if a f/b shoot will fix the problem or not; however, I've not had this problem with any of the other strings I've tried (Helicore Hybrids, Corelli 370TX, Sprio Weichs & Mittels) so I fear not (although happy to not wear the cost of a shoot!)

So, after a pleasant but all-too short sojourn into (2nd hand) Anima-land, it looks like new strings for me. I'm going to try some Innovation Honeys (140H) shortly to see if I can get a similar gut sound & attack without the freakishly expensive cost of replacement. Obligatos were a consideration, but the relatively short lifespan puts me off. Bit concerned about the higher tension of the Honeys, but given how hard I have to clamp now, I think it's still going to be an improvement...
 
#994
I had pretty much the same problem with animas after about 2 months of heavy use. I suspect that increasing the amount of relief in the fingerboard would help but I don't trust any of the luthiers in my area enough to do it. I now have garbos on and the buzzing is pretty minimal. They sound freakin huge as well. I've got my (greenish) fingers crossed that they don't crap out like the animas did.
 
#996
RamesesNiblick3 said:
... I'm thinking its time for a change and I'd like to give Animas a try as I'd like a darker pizz sound but still with plenty of growl. From sound clips and forum talk I get the impression these strings will do that for me.
Click to expand...

Animas are a great string. They sound fairly close to gut, and can be scratchy under the bow like gut.

Animas can growl and have a pop on the front of the note.

But if you are looking for a darker pizz sound than Spiros, I doubt that they will do that for you. My experience was that Animas have a brighter pizz sound, closer to wound gut.

Evahs are wonderful arco strings and go a bit darker than Spiros.

My $.02.
 
#997
Forget 'bout the Anima. Let's talk Garbo! After only a few days, I am in love with this string. If I can get a solid year out of the Garbo without breakage or other weirdness, I will consider myself cured of string disease. Which of course is the same thing I said about Spirocore Weichs...:hiding:
 
#998
Trix Miller said:
Forget 'bout the Anima. Let's talk Garbo! After only a few days, I am in love with this string. If I can get a solid year out of the Garbo without breakage or other weirdness, I will consider myself cured of string disease. Which of course is the same thing I said about Spirocore Weichs...:hiding:
Click to expand...

I've been using Garbos for about 3 weeks now and I'm really digging them as well. Used to have Weichs. Nice big open sound. Like the feel as well. Was able to raise up the action too as they are for flexible than other strings.
 
#999
William Hoffman said:
But if you are looking for a darker pizz sound than Spiros, I doubt that they will do that for you. My experience was that Animas have a brighter pizz sound, closer to wound gut.
Click to expand...

That's what I like about them. They have that really strong front end of the note that gut has, spiros have in a different way, and that some synthetic strings seem to lack. It does take a solid left hand to really bring it out. To me they have a lot of the best qualities of steel, but with a bit more of a thump.

I can never quite shake the temptation to try really nice boutique guts, but I've been very happy with the Animas. I've been getting a solid year out of a set (they don't go dead so much as the intonation goes funny for me), and in a few months I'll probably order my third straight set. I figure less than a dollar a day on strings is worth it...
 
#1,000
Hi all.

Long time without posting... A lot have changed since my last post...

I was mainly a electric bass player and I am now fully committed with the doublebass.

What brought me here … I would like to know if someone has experience playing with the “new” velvet blue strings? Any advice or insight (e.g., “stay away from it”, …)?

Thank you all.
Due to talkbass I can look like a fool when playing, but at least I know my way around bass gear … ;)

Regards.
 
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