Double Bass What DB strings do the TBDBers use?!? (2009)

[Marcus Johnson]

I use a Bach 5c and Holton valve oil.

Ooops, sorry, just noticed this was a double bass forum.

 

[davidAaronCarte]

My Belcantos arrived yesterday. Tonight I see if they sound beter than the stock shite that come with the bass (44.5" 4/4 scale 5 stringer).

Yee ha.

That's a seriously BIG instrument

 

[Uncletoad]

I use a Bach 5c and Holton valve oil.

Ooops, sorry, just noticed this was a double bass forum.

Bach 1B on a 70's Stradivarius in silver.

 

[Phil Rowan]

Stark E is slower under the bow than the mitt but roars when you get it moving. Trade off ok for me, I don't need to get it moving quick but for some (like bribass) it's to pokey. The Mitt has a bit more midrange punch and growls faster pizz. The Stark has low end for days and less mids. It's also harder to play.

On the AQ ancient bass it's rediculous though. Roars! Through and amp it's devastating.

Cool.. thanks Phil. The Mit. E on my bass just seems on the (very slightly) loose side. It's either a string issue or a set up issue. Over all though, there's a good deal more presence with this set compared to the E. Pirazzi Mediums I had on (w/ the Heli Heavy E).

 

[Mark Perna]

Bach 1B on a 70's Stradivarius in silver.

Bach 6 1/2 AL on Bach 16m tenor. And a Holton Tr-181 bass trombone with a Bach 1G mouthpiece. All dating from around 1980-81. Oh you guys are talking trumpets. My bad.

 

[Uncletoad]

CThe Mit. E on my bass just seems on the (very slightly) loose side.

Try the Stark E.

 

[Ric5]

I like round wounds in sets of 5 ...

oops sorry ... I thought you were talking about electric bass ...

But I must say gut strings have an interesting sound.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Really? Did I miss a meeting.

I'm currently running Innovation Honeys on the Old Beatnik, Weichs on the Romanian Hybrid, Mittels on the post-war Kraut Bass, Yokohama Avid H4S on the Westfalia and Birks on the feet...

Sorry about the sandals Phil.

 

[Huy Nguyen]

Wow nice number of responses we got here. Interestring to see the selection runs the gamut (pun intended). Also good to see stalwarts, PDub with Spiro Orchs, Mr. Ed with Animas, Durrl with Doms/Stark E and a few others sticking with older string sets.

Evahs sound interesting but I have played them on someone elses bass before and I can't be bothered to try it right now. Arnold set up my bass somehow very low tension that even new Spiro Orchs feel comfortable. Even the stick sounds good with them.

Banjo city!
*cue Deliverance lick*

This thread was created as a ploy to entertain y'all as well as deter me from buying new string sets. I think it might've worked.

 

[red_on_red]

Ambassadors on the snare and rack tom, Emperor top / Ambassador bottom on the 14", really old black dot / black front head on the kick.













and 2-year-old Spirocore meds on the bass.

 

[moles]

Evah Weichs. Love 'em. Sticking with 'em.

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

I am using Animas, although I am intrigued by the Velvet Blues - want to read more...?

 

[TroyK]

I use a Bach 5c and Holton valve oil.

Ooops, sorry, just noticed this was a double bass forum.

It was all I could do to prevent myself from replying to the "how do you mic a washtub bass?" thread with "I've got a custom wound Semour-Duncan on my Lakland 5 String and it's off the hook!", but then I regained my composure I decided not to carry our joke into a perfectly good thread. This one, however, has already been sullied.

For strings...I'm still kind of into Spirocores. I'm testing Evah Pirazzi Weichs out right now, but don't have much to say about them yet. Love the feel, am kind of missing the sound of Spirocores/Superflexibles. Haven't put them on stage yet, which is the read test.

 

[Ron Lacey]

Dude I'm to fat to have disciples. Besides I shaved off my beard and I refuse to wear sandals.

Say it ain't so Toad. It's too early on Tuesday for a crisis of faith! I feel so lost.

Seriously though, posting about your string experiments has probably saved many of us a bunch of money. Thanks for taking one for the team.

 

[Uncletoad]

Say it ain't so Toad. It's too early on Tuesday for a crisis of faith! I feel so lost.

Well go talk to Jake. He'll keep you in Spiros just fine and he still wears Sandals.

Or go fetch Ruben and his Nanny Book. He's the one that got me started back in the shed instead of the wallet.

I still can't play but at least I know it's not my strings, it's cause I don't ****ing practice enough.

 

[Lisbon3am]

Strunal: Velvet Garbo Light
Ma Zibhin: Spiro Weichs

 

[fred pratt]

I am using Animas, although I am intrigued by the Velvet Blues

Velvet Blues, though I'm intrigued by Animas and just bought a used set.

Didn't know I'd like the Blues so much. I have an unopened set of Evah Weichs in the drawer and now I don't know when I'll ever get to them. Maybe when it's arco time.

Also really like Dominants.

 

[Phil Rowan]

Try the Stark E.

Perhaps after I take the bass down to Weatherly for a little set-up tweaking.

 

[johnz]

I'm using Animas on my Xuechang Sun (model 920).

I "base-lined" the instrument with Mittels (using a Stark E); but, I wanted something a little less tension - I play a fair amount without an amp and, clearly, I'm not as manly as some of y'all are.

My sense is that Animas have about the same volume as the Mittels; however, to my ears (who else counts, eh?!), they sit in a better place in the mix (read that - I can hear myself better). Also, starting around the D on the G string, the Mittels started sounding thin - not so with the Animas. They sound full up to the second D on the G string. Now I've really got nothing and no one to blame for my marginal thumb position sound but myself

 

[JDubbleyoo]

Thomastik Spirocore Solo gauge G, D and A, Helicore Hybrid Medium gauge E.