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

[Monte]

Evah Weich E-A-D and Oliv G.

 

[Tanglehead]

Pfretszchner (for Jazz)- Spiro Mittel E&A, Oliv D&G, all close to 3 years old. I'm thinking the Olivs are starting to get that paper-y sound when I hit them hard, so they'll probably be updated soon, but the wrappings have hung in there with LOTS of playing. (over 100 gigs last year...)

German Shop (for Orch/Pit) - I bought it with Spiros that sounded AWESOME for jazz, but I wanted this to be my dedicated orch/pit bass, so I went with Evah P. regulars. I think they're very close to the Bel Cantos, which I have on the Christopher 401F that I'm passively selling. I think I do like the Evahs a little better. They seem more responsive while not being quite as soft feeling as the Bel Cantos.

 

[Jim Calhoun]

I'm currently using Velvet Blues. They seem to do every thing I need 'em to do pretty well.

I've also had good luck with Spiro mittels and weichs, Evah weichs, and D'addario Hybrid mediums. Haven't tried guts........yet.

 

[CPike]

Original Flexocor. Tried the latest crazes over the years (Corelli in early '90s, Flexocor '92, Helicore, Permanent, Obligato, Belcanto) and always came back to orig flex...

 

[Marc Piane]

Shen Willow - Mittels

German Ply - Dominants

 

[Eric Swanson]

Belcanto.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Smittels

 

[marvin spangles]

Spiro stark E belcanto A D and G. sometimes swap Belcantos for spiro mittels for big band gigs.

 

[Uncletoad]

Spiro stark E belcanto A D and G. sometimes swap Belcantos for spiro mittels for big band gigs.

Crazy mix. How is the balance between the E and the rest?

 

[JoeyNaeger]

Belcanto.

 

[lucas vigor]

Spirocore weichs on my jazz bass, All Weedwackers on my rockabilly bass.

 

[Huy Nguyen]

Belcanto.

Hrm... really? For Jazz? Is your bass bright? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[marvin spangles]

Crazy mix. How is the balance between the E and the rest?

hi uncle toad
On my bass it seems to work fine. (La Scala Hybrid) I keep the stark on for small group pizz gigs. the belcanto E is just too dead for me (pizz).
i used to have the spiro Mittel A as well but got a little frustrated with the A not starting with the bow.
recently I have been doing a lot of small classical chamber stuff. And even though I have been practising away at home with spiros I chickened out when it came to the gig. I couldn't afford the risk on a gig. The belcantos just sing. But the stark still rocks for both Pizz and arco. While the belcantos don't have that long growl of the spiros they have a enough sustain and a character all of their own that I like. Good front end of the note. Very warm on my bass. YMMV .....
ps good to hear your AQ is back on the scene. Enjoy!

 

[Jonyak]

spirocores. used for jazz and bluegrass.

 

[Bobby King]

I know I have a reputation for having tried them all and for changing them frequently, but for several months now (and with no desire to change) it's been:

Super Sensitive Sensicore E&A and Lenzner plain gut D&G strings on my humble Shen plywood bass. I love this set up, especially for pizz, but I've gotten better at bowing on the guts, too.

 

[Dynacord]

Pirastro Permanents.

I like them quite a bit but will probably go with Prestos next time I change them as they are quite a bit cheaper than the alternatives here and I've liked them (both the nylon wrap and steel) on the basses I've tried them on.

 

[Francois Blais]

Pirastro Permanents.

I like them quite a bit but will probably go with Prestos next time I change them as they are quite a bit cheaper than the alternatives here and I've liked them (both the nylon wrap and steel) on the basses I've tried them on.

Pizz only?
What do you think of the A & E ?
I really like the D & G but find the A&E somewhat dull.

 

[Dynacord]

Pizz only?
What do you think of the A & E ?
I really like the D & G but find the A&E somewhat dull.

Yes, pizz only. I can see what you mean about the D & G - which are clearly louder as well.
It is an odd pairing in that it is one of the aluminum Pfretzschner basses so that dullness of the E & A seems to balance with the instrument pretty well - though I can't say they are 'it' so I do want to try some others or at least find an E & A that match the D & G better.

 

[boylebass]

Spiro mittels on 1930 Juzek, jazz only

Helleberg (the old style with the sharp rim)> Conn CC Tuba
Helleberg 7B> Holton Eb tuba
6 1/2 A> Conn peashooter (no typo, no L)

all mp's in gold

 

[arto alho]

Thomastik Orchestras here, too. They have matured better than my bass.