Double Bass Velvet strings megathread part III

[HateyMcAmp]

This is why I'm off the Velvet carousel. Not only do I need to be worried about when (not if) my strings will unwind, there is now the added anxiety that I might not be able to get replacements. This sucks, because (when they are working) Animas are some of th finest strings I've ever used.

 

[Reiska]

I`m back in fourths and Velvets on my bass, Garbo EAD + Anima G. I have two Anima G`s, which both are about to unravel at bridge and pegbox. I was really scared when tuning the G up to pich but it made it ( I`ve broken several used Animas at that stage ). I really hope they wouldn`t discontinue, there`s nothing like Animas and Garbos, even with all the breakage bs.

 

[Reiska]

Hey bass-folks, I have a Garbo G question. Just replaced my Anima G with a ancient Garbo G, as I`m looking for a smoother feel under the left hand and particularly for glissandos. This old and very used G has this sort of buzzing / rattling under my fingers and it generally feels pretty stiff. I do understand that the string prolly needs to settle for some time, but my question is that does a new Garbo G have these kind of qualities? I never bought one as I got this to try out from my teacher, I don`t have a clue how these behave when fresh.

Thanks, Reiska

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Oiling a naked gut string might help to make it a bit more flexible.
But gut strings are a bit stiff.

 

[Reiska]

Oiling a naked gut string might help to make it a bit more flexible.
But gut strings are a bit stiff.

Thanks DoubleMIDI but this is a polyester wound Garbo G, not the plain gut Haven`t played the bass today yet, so no impressions if the buzz has settled or not.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Oops, was too late yesterday, I shouldn't have posted something.
Of course no gut there.

I don't know if this works with synthetic wound strings, but with metal wound (and synthetic core) strings I sometimes bend them over the whole length by running the string bend over my thumb.
You need to do this evenly and rotate the string a bit after each run. It helped me to get better sustain out of the A and E strings of Innovation Braided strings. Took me about an hour for each string.
Don't do that before a gig it rehearsal, the thumb needs some time to get back to a normal state.

 

[Reiska]

Thank you anyway @DoubleMIDI, a.k.a The String Whisperer The G hasn`t calmed down, the buzz is there and is annoying. I was looking for easier pizz playability, not harder. I`ll put the Anima G back tomorrow, if the problem remains. This Garbo G is old and used for years. I`m tempting to try Evah slaps and will buy a set when the finances allow. Garbos and Animas are great themselves, or then mixed with plain gut, but it`s great to have options when looking for a certain tone and feel. For me, thumpy and as effortless as possible when crancked up high, that is. Better response with the bow wouldn`t hurt either. However, Garbos are bowable IME. I use black hair and good amount of Nyman`s rosin.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

I like my Garbo G light gauge. Just to confuse matters

 

[Reiska]

Thanks for the tip! Is there audible difference in acoustic volume between Garbo lights vs requlars? Been thinking about Garbo lights too, of course

 

[Povl Carstensen]

I have only tried the lights. To my surprise, they were actually at bit stiffer than the Rotosound 4000 they replaced. I then changed to Lenzner guts. But their G felt a bit flimsy to me, so for a while I actually used the Garbo light G on top, and I liked it.

 

[Reiska]

Thanks Povl! I too have a lonely plain gut D in the drawer, so another option would be just to get a plain gut G and mix those with my Garbos or Animas. But then again, if I cranck the strings to all-gut heights, like 10mm`s under the G, the Garbo EA becomes incredibly loud, but a bit uncomfortable to play in keys like F or Bb. I think I would like a more even tension across the strings with plain gut uppers. However, the Anima G is now back on the bass and sounds great with Garbo EAD.

 

[jazzwalk]

Hello, all - I've just received the "old school" award, but ironically have never posted anything here in all of that time. Now I have a query for anyone who has explored what I'm bringing up.

I've used Velvetstrings for a lot of years (first tried Garbos, then settled for Animas; now quite satisfied with the "poor boy Animas", or Blues on my Saxony flatback. I'm a jazz and classical player, and my question here pertains to arco: has anyone discovered how the Blues respond with going to a finer bow hair? I once was using black (I call it "orc hair";-), then went with unbleached white. Talking with my luthier (Matt Bohn the Bass Doc in Felton, CA), he has a variety of bow hair available with varying degrees of fineness. My thought is, it seems logical to go with the finest hair possible, to produce the best possible tone quality with greater ease of control with these strings. Any thoughts borne of experience out there? :-]

 

[PaperbackRyder]

I have installed Anima's on the E&A, over Gamut gut D&G. The Upton has the tuning pegs switched from the conventional locations, E/A moved up one position so the E is further from the nut than "normal" and the G is closest to the nut. Makes sense to me.
But the Anima E is still long enough to have the windings wrap around the post. They are, naturally enough,separating as they go around the post.
Is this going to be a problem?

 

[HateyMcAmp]

My Anima E strings always wrapped around the peg and I never had any issues.

 

[jbassbear]

Just received a new Anima G string from Gollihur's...seems to me that the winding is different now...less "rough" and more smooth..still sounds the same but I am liking this new feel of the G...also easier to bow and sounds a bit less scratchy. Very cool..

Anyone can confirm my suspicion that things are different over at Velvet?

 

[Sam Dingle]

Does it still look weird like the other one?

 

[jbassbear]

Does not look as weird as the old G...not like an electric bass string...does not have that metallic edge to it..

 

[Sam Dingle]

can you send a photo?

 

[Sam Dingle]

or sorry post one?

 

[Reiska]

I loved the sound of Anima G, but hated the roundwound feel. Cool if they have changed to smoother construction. @PaperbackRyder, I never had problems with wound part going around the peg.