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Double Bass Velvet strings megathread part II

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#161
My god I knew something was wrong when I came from my gig last night feeling like I ran a marathon !! I was sweating like a pig trying to make a d string (thats supposed to be a g string) swing!!! Thank you so much for your replies my problem has been solved ..
 
#163
Funny enough ... I actually injured my index on my left hand last night because of it ... I'm double jointed ..so instead of using thumb postion I have devoloped a (a wrong self taught) technique where I can bend my first knuckle like an L to act as a thumb .. anyways never had a problem with my hands or fingers till this morning .. my own stupid fault for trying to be a man !!
 
#165
Nuno A. said:
...The current tension of the Garbo is 25 kgs (same as Animas and 360's)...
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25kg is 55 lbs. Yet the tension charts I see quote standard tensions ranging from 60 to >80 lbs. Velvets aren't that much lower, are they? What gives?

As a side note, I have some Garbos now installed. Though the G seems a little different from the rest of the set, I think I like them, but it's the diameter that stands out as appealing to me as much as anything else I notice about them. Are other (i.e., bowable) Velvets almost as thick as Garbos?
 
#166
Hello everybody,
I hate to bring on another question about velvets but is there a particular set which is 'loose' and has lighter string tension? I've been using Damian Dlugolecki's gut strings and I'm considering switching to Velvets. I'm really used to Damian's strings which are easy on hands/arms. They have a real loose feeling that makes it comfortable. Is there a comparable set with the Velvets?
Any suggestions and/or advice would be awesome!
Thanks in advance,
 
#169
Uncletoad said:
Why would you do that?
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Well, I've been using Damian's D and G gut strings with a variety of E and A strings. Often thomastik weichs cause I like the deep growl of slapping on the low E!!! But I was thinking that i'd like to play four strings of the same brand. I love gut strings and I don't think I could ever switch back to metal. A few years ago, I tried Damian's A gut (unwound I think) and it was a little thumpy sounding. I used to have a set of velvets (either 360- or 180, forget which) and they were ok. I heard about the Garbos and thought I'd give them a shot.

Also I think the Velvets last a little bit longer than Damian's strings (do they?). Out of the packet, Damian's strings sound like gold. But I can't afford $250 every 5-6 months. Maybe the same thing happens with the Garbos. I'll find out.

Thanks for looking people!
 
#170
I have played high quality gut and Velvet Animas, Garbos and 360's. I am using Gamut Lyons at the moment with Thomastic Dominants on the E/A.

The Velvet strings are very nice but not like those high quality gut strings at all. I'm addicted to plain gut D/G as well and every time I try steel or a derivative string I don't like them.

It is very common to mix steel bottom and gut top. Lots of documentation here about all that. Some favorites are Spirocore Mittel, Spirocore Weichs, Pirastro Permanents, Thomastic Dominants, Pirastro Obligato.

Of the Velvet line my favorite are the Animas. A very nice string with excellent tone. Quirky though and at times frustrating. I don't think I'll go back to them but there are several die hard Velvet fans here on TB.

They aren't cheap either and don't last any longer than gut strings.

Not to talk you out of it. If I'd get another string besides the Guts/Dominants I'd play Animas.
 
#171
I used garbos since they were out for sale and 6 months ago went for a little change with olivs and now I'm using animas, I think the velvet strings are great and they do last longer than the 5-6 months you said you were getting on the dd's, I play around 4-5 gigs a week plus teach and practice and a set last me around 13 months. I've heard in another thread that garbo lights are available now which is the garbo string with a lighter tension which may be something you would be interested in.
 
#172
neal davis said:
I used garbos since they were out for sale and 6 months ago went for a little change with olivs and now I'm using animas, I think the velvet strings are great and they do last longer than the 5-6 months you said you were getting on the dd's, I play around 4-5 gigs a week plus teach and practice and a set last me around 13 months.
Click to expand...

What happens to them at the 13 month point?

I put a set of animas on my bass about a year ago - although I almost certainly don't play as much as you - but the set seems to be actually getting better now - sounding better!

So what prompts you to think a set is past its best?
 
#173
Bruce Lindfield said:
So what prompts you to think a set is past its best?
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I had a used set but mine lasted 6 or so months on my bass before it started to loose bottom end, moved real slow on the front end of a note and started to unravel at the bridge. Guts lasted longer than that so far.

Btw I do think it's weird that the plain Guts wore out so quickly. My impression is they should hang in there longer than that.

What do they do when they die?
 
#174
Uncletoad said:
Btw I do think it's weird that the plain Guts wore out so quickly. My impression is they should hang in there longer than that.

What do they do when they die?
Click to expand...

Well I tend to get the most mileage out of my gut strings so I'll keep em on so long as they work. But after a while, the kicker is that the open D string is no longer tunable. I pluck the thing and it has lost its pitch! It's amazing. The dead sound I can handle but the intonation goes way off on the open strings and THEN I need to get new strings. (my current situation with Damian's strings).

Currently considering Animas or Garbos. I hardly bow (i suck) so I might just go with the Garbos.
 
#176
I'm sure the strings may last longer but I try to keep them at a certain sound and feel I find on my bass the 13 month mark the feel starts to degrade on the strings not alot but still abit noticable. I haven't had problems on these strings(garbos) breaking or dying too soon so good luck with your strings
 
#178
Hi All,

I have an Eminence that I just set up with Velvet Anima strings. They are the nicest strings I have ever heard. I realize it is an electric upright but I am wondering if any of you have tried them on your acoustic? If they sound as nice as the do on the Eminence I would change out in a minute.
 
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