Thanks David. Well that second-hand set of Anima strings suddenly doesn't look quite such good value after all 
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Double Bass Velvet strings megathread part III
- Thread starter Dudie
- Start date
I don't remember which way the loop went on my Blues, but I bet a quarter it makes no difference whatever. That end of the string is very flexible.
What surprised me when I took them off was the `broken legs.' Something stiff inside the braided cord, narrower than the actual string, that seemed to be broken in one place on each string. I guess this isn't a really critical part of the string, just seemed odd.
What surprised me when I took them off was the `broken legs.' Something stiff inside the braided cord, narrower than the actual string, that seemed to be broken in one place on each string. I guess this isn't a really critical part of the string, just seemed odd.
In the hour or so since I posted, the Anima G has dropped another two tones. Its screwed. How annoying and expensive for something which can't have had more than a 5 or 6 hours playing time. Making me re-consider whether I should just go back to Spiros, grrrrr
Funnily enough I have a Lenzner gut G on order. May try this with the Anima E/A/D although for now, in a fit of bass player's pique (boy, thats scary), I have swapped over for a set of Danny Thompson steels. It was the nearest I could get to throwing my toys out of the pram 
Update: I contacted Nuno who said he was aware there had been a bad batch of Animas and he would send me a replacement. Excellent customer service (as others have noted in this mega-thread)and hopefully all's well that ends well 
Yup! Nuno's a great guy. A few years ago I bought a pair of strings from him. (used Garbo E and A if I 'member correctly) and he sent me a whole bunch of different used strings he had hanging 'round just for me to try: some plain guts, some sinthetic wrapped, even a garbo G.
I have yet to try other velvet strings, but garbos sure are nice.
I have yet to try other velvet strings, but garbos sure are nice.
Heres a question for anyone who has used both animas/garbos and blues for extended periods of time. Do the blues hold up any better? For the premium price I pay for the Animas, they sure don't last all that long. I get about 6 months out of a set playing 3-5 gigs a week, and they die by unwinding in places like the low A on the G string or the low F on the D string. I'd suspect this has something to do with the natural core that, like gut, will give away from the winding in a way steel or perlon won't. Any feedback?
Just a final thought on the blues after a few weeks.
1st: Bowing is much easier. I don't know if it was me adjusting , the strings settling in or both, but bowing: non-issue. In fact, kolstein and pops work fine as rosin, but I prefer the kolstein.
2nd: Coming from my prior setup of obligatos and spirocore, the attack of the blues seems quicker than the obligatos. The obligatos feel more springy, rubber band like they stretch as you pull them with your fingers to pizz whereas the blues seem like they are more solid. Kind of in between spiro and obligatos as far as feel. It is not a good or bad thing, but just something I noticed.
3rd: Sound Pizzicato: I kind of miss my obligato/spiro setup a little. The sound achieved with that combo and the bass brought a more complex tone and character. The blues are cleaner, but not in a sterile way as the bass' character still comes through.
4th: Sound Arco: I prefer the more clear defined sound of the blues. Maybe it is partly my new bow, but I find they project much better and it is easier to pitch with the blues. Know though that I am no "Joe Arco" lol.
Hope this helps future string hunters.
1st: Bowing is much easier. I don't know if it was me adjusting , the strings settling in or both, but bowing: non-issue. In fact, kolstein and pops work fine as rosin, but I prefer the kolstein.
2nd: Coming from my prior setup of obligatos and spirocore, the attack of the blues seems quicker than the obligatos. The obligatos feel more springy, rubber band like they stretch as you pull them with your fingers to pizz whereas the blues seem like they are more solid. Kind of in between spiro and obligatos as far as feel. It is not a good or bad thing, but just something I noticed.
3rd: Sound Pizzicato: I kind of miss my obligato/spiro setup a little. The sound achieved with that combo and the bass brought a more complex tone and character. The blues are cleaner, but not in a sterile way as the bass' character still comes through.
4th: Sound Arco: I prefer the more clear defined sound of the blues. Maybe it is partly my new bow, but I find they project much better and it is easier to pitch with the blues. Know though that I am no "Joe Arco" lol.
Hope this helps future string hunters.
Opened my bass bag today and found a broken Anima G 
My bass is currently strung with spiro E A D and i had Anima G on top, great combo that i was really digging.
After last night's gig, everything was fine until this morning when i opened up my bag.
Contacted nuno at Velvet and got an awnser within !! 15 minutes on a sunday !! that my replacement string would be in the mail the next day.
How's that for customer support
My string was only 8 month's old and has been on my bass for about 3 month's now. It's has been off the bass only once while taking real good care of it.
It broke in the pegbox right where the actual string meets the red fabric part.
I'm sure the next anima G will sound as great as this one and will last 3 times as long...
My bass is currently strung with spiro E A D and i had Anima G on top, great combo that i was really digging.
After last night's gig, everything was fine until this morning when i opened up my bag.
Contacted nuno at Velvet and got an awnser within !! 15 minutes on a sunday !! that my replacement string would be in the mail the next day.
How's that for customer support
My string was only 8 month's old and has been on my bass for about 3 month's now. It's has been off the bass only once while taking real good care of it.
It broke in the pegbox right where the actual string meets the red fabric part.
I'm sure the next anima G will sound as great as this one and will last 3 times as long...
My very old Anima E & A have developed a very strange smell. I use these on a bass that is strung with gut on top. Right now, they smell so bad that I can't stand to play them.
Has anybody else noticed something like this? I'm not condemming the strings- they have been on this bass for probably 6 or 7 years.
Has anybody else noticed something like this? I'm not condemming the strings- they have been on this bass for probably 6 or 7 years.
Have you tried cleaning them thoroughly with toothpaste and a damp rag? Will remove the dark brown oxidisation (and probably sweat mixed in with it). Plus makes the strings smell minty fresh (for a short while at least)
I would contact Velvet about their recommendations. I certainly would not put toothpaste on my strings.
Quick question folks - do Velvet strings work with magnetic pickups?
Not having a metal core and a copper rather than nicker/steel winding, I'm afraid I'm not smart enough to work out whether this would work well with say a Krivo or other mag p/u
Not having a metal core and a copper rather than nicker/steel winding, I'm afraid I'm not smart enough to work out whether this would work well with say a Krivo or other mag p/u
Bob Gollihur's site says the string must have metal in the core as well as the winding to work.
