I thought i would start up with what strings are you using and why,as i know sometimes it can cost a small fortune.It would be intresting to hear what other people say they use for rockabilly/phycobilly etc etc etc,and what they like about them.I hope with people giving there input to this we might learn some thing about a brand strings that we might not of heard of or thought of using.So come on what are you using and why.
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Double Bass What Srings are you using?
- Thread starter Rockabilly Cat
- Start date
Hold out for the new Aquila Sugar Slaps that are coming out very soon. They’re amazing, all the good stuff about gut, none of the bad.
I'd vote for Sugar Slaps now too. It's not what I am currently using but when Gollihur has them I'm going to order 2 sets for when my current strings need replacing. These are just sounding too good for the mix of pizz/slap/10%arco that I play to not get them.
Problem is, I like the mix I'm currently using on my Alcoa so I may not put the Sugar Slaps on for a while, but I'll have them and I'll support both Mimmo and Mark for what I consider to be this historically important string set.
My current mixed set is pre-GHS Innovation Silver Slaps E and A under Superior BassWorks Deluxe Dirty Guts D {.105") and G (.095"). It's a great mix for tone, volume, clarity and touch... And they're excellent acoustically, mic'ed or pickup'ed.
I like them so well that I actually have two more complete NOS sets of this mix in my string drawer, but I will probably put the Sugar Slaps on when my current mixed set stops working (they're still like new at about 4 years old).
Problem is, I like the mix I'm currently using on my Alcoa so I may not put the Sugar Slaps on for a while, but I'll have them and I'll support both Mimmo and Mark for what I consider to be this historically important string set.
My current mixed set is pre-GHS Innovation Silver Slaps E and A under Superior BassWorks Deluxe Dirty Guts D {.105") and G (.095"). It's a great mix for tone, volume, clarity and touch... And they're excellent acoustically, mic'ed or pickup'ed.
I like them so well that I actually have two more complete NOS sets of this mix in my string drawer, but I will probably put the Sugar Slaps on when my current mixed set stops working (they're still like new at about 4 years old).
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I'm using Innovation 140RB rockabilly strings. I like them a lot - a nice thick sound, easyish on the hands. But I've not been able to buy another set recently - everywhere in the UK seems out of stock.
I got the an early D and G prototype from the Suger Slap set Mimmo sent me. I’ve tried pretty much every low tension slap string on the market and honestly they are something different. Very well thought out. With these coming to the market I couldn’t really think to recommend anything else, unless you plan on using a magnetic pickup (Eurosonic ultralight would be the only game in in town in that case.)
Suger slaps seem to be the new kid on the block,Is there some body out there slapping on steel who could chip in.Tell us what it's like and the benifits of this.or an other brand of string,cheers.
I can help with that! I addition to all of the nylon / low tension strings I’ve used I also have spent a bunch of time on Superflexible solo (still like these on my EUB.) My take is -
1- They are much thinner and slightly tighter than the nylon strings I’ve used, and I would set the string height a little lower. I would still say they are very slappable compared to, say, Spiro Weich.
2- Pizz and slap sound has more sustain, by and large. When fresh they can be a little twangy, but when they die down it’s a good warm sound IMO. If you need to both Slap and get more of a modern jazz sound out of the same bass these can be a good option. An orchestral-designed string like Jagar Dolce would be a good option if you want a string that both thuddy and all-steel, but they might make acoustic jazz pizz playing a bear.
3- Because the strings are teeny and at orchestral tuning they aren’t at their “optional” tension the acoustic output was compromised on my basses. This was my main complaint with them on an acoustic double bass.
4- They sound really nice through a magnetic pickup. The SF solos are the best set I’ve tried with my Krivo (which I sort of endorse, full disclosure.) After the initial break in they are very warm sounding.
5- I also spent a bunch of time on 4/4 Spiro solo, but the results were mixed. The high string (solo A tuned to G) on the 4/4 spirocore solo set has sounded weak and sonically unbalanced on every bass/pickup I’ve used it on.
I will say I found an oddball mixed set I liked a lot- 4/4 Spiro Solo F# + B (tuned E + A) with a Eurosonic White light D and Medium G. This was a set with even tension (helpful if you go for a flatter slap-specific bridge shape) and really nice gauge match in the traditional set of gut kind of way. The E and D are the more or less the same gauge, as are A and G, which has been the case for the wound bottoms, plain gut top sets I’ve used. The Euros seemed to match the spiros well in timbre and didn’t sound to bright/twangy, without a noticeable break in tone between the A and D. This worked well with a magnetic pickup and had good acoustic output (meatier sound than a full set of SF solos played sans-amp.) Perhaps this set was a little brighter through the Krivo, but it’s been a while. If I needed to play loud-as-hell rockabilly and unamplified Bluegrass/Trad Jazz on the same bass I would still use this combo. Here’s a picture of this weird set. Pretty slick, eh?
The moment I have a context in which I need one of those Krivo, I'm gunna be all over it like flies on sh*t.
I feel like there are degrees of light slaping in which my (low action) Spiro mitts and/or any other metal strings can handle just fine, but if you're going to be hammering away at triplets for half a set or more, you're going to want something with less resistance.
I feel like there are degrees of light slaping in which my (low action) Spiro mitts and/or any other metal strings can handle just fine, but if you're going to be hammering away at triplets for half a set or more, you're going to want something with less resistance.
Thanks for all the info,that was realy helpfull.It me a lot to think about with some good tips there.The oddball set looked great,i like how you have come about with that,cheers.
Could you be able to provide a comparison between the Sugar Slaps and Eurosonic Ultralight? Mostly in terms of perceived tension/stiffness and general ease of playability for slap + pizz.
I have tried the Ultralights vs SBW Dirty Guts (heaviest gauges) on the same bass - feel like something right in between would be perfect in terms of tension/feel and gauge, so have been looking at the Sugar Slaps as an option.
Except that they are apparently unbowable, unlike plain gut.
I posted earlier here, and after trying them, I still highly recommend Aquila Sugar Slaps; their tone, volume and touch are amazing. As mentioned, they are not made for, or really suitable for serious arco, but if pizz and/or slap are your game, they're great.
I tried them for about 30 days and would probably still be using them now, except they are not compatible with my custom tailpiece so I had to go back to my previous mixed-set string choice. But matched with a standard tailpiece, they are excellent strings.
I tried them for about 30 days and would probably still be using them now, except they are not compatible with my custom tailpiece so I had to go back to my previous mixed-set string choice. But matched with a standard tailpiece, they are excellent strings.
I am looking for strings that will allow for slap style playing. I am currently playing with an acoustic folk/rock group:
https://www.youtube.com/@thecaravanoffools7
(PS would love to add some classic Rockabilly to our set list).
I'm hearing good things in this forum about Aquila Sugar Slaps. For those of you who have been using them.... any regrets? Is this still the go-to string for slap style on an upright bass?
Cheers,
Been Jammin'
https://www.youtube.com/@thecaravanoffools7
(PS would love to add some classic Rockabilly to our set list).
I'm hearing good things in this forum about Aquila Sugar Slaps. For those of you who have been using them.... any regrets? Is this still the go-to string for slap style on an upright bass?
Cheers,
Been Jammin'
Related de-rail: is anybody slapping steel strings? I tried to evolve with this last summer on medium Spiros and got the beginning of blood blister very soon what made me forget about slapping because I need my Spiros for everything else and don’t want to get a second instrument as I’m not thinking to become a full time rock’n’roller, only want to cause some jaws drop when the time has come.
I’ve tried slapping my dead spiros and my fingers said “no mas.” I’ve been trying to do a tap/slap type thing like Milt Hinton and I can kind of do it on steels, but it’s easier and more natural on more slap-friendly strings.
Hello, I’ve been playing electric bass for too many decades, was gifted an upright a few years ago. I couldn’t play it at all because of the string tension and after all it is a different instrument by at least 90%, isn’t it?
But I am interested in playing it (again) and started to watch slapabilly vids on YouTube. Looks like so much fun. I want to slap, and also play jazz on it. Both genres so interesting.
Maybe I’ll slap jazz on it.
I just purchased the LaBella Supernil 1006 set and the difference is night and day. Still can’t play anything worth a darn but I’m happy to finally mess with the instrument without it killing me. Here is my report.
The LaBellas are floppy, but that’s what I was hoping for.
Took a few minutes after install to get them to stay within tuning range. But I think they will stay in tune better and better as the days go by. And this is also what people report with these synthetic strings.
As far as slackness, the E string rattles a bit starting from the A note on down to the nut, but not enough to bother me to mess with the action.
Strings still work with the cheap pickup I have. The type that has the sensor attached to the bridge.
Have a bow, but no idea how to use it…don’t have any Rosen, etc. Thus can’t report on arco playability.
That’s all I’ve got for you. Have a great weekend, everyone.
But I am interested in playing it (again) and started to watch slapabilly vids on YouTube. Looks like so much fun. I want to slap, and also play jazz on it. Both genres so interesting.
Maybe I’ll slap jazz on it.
I just purchased the LaBella Supernil 1006 set and the difference is night and day. Still can’t play anything worth a darn but I’m happy to finally mess with the instrument without it killing me. Here is my report.
The LaBellas are floppy, but that’s what I was hoping for.
Took a few minutes after install to get them to stay within tuning range. But I think they will stay in tune better and better as the days go by. And this is also what people report with these synthetic strings.
As far as slackness, the E string rattles a bit starting from the A note on down to the nut, but not enough to bother me to mess with the action.
Strings still work with the cheap pickup I have. The type that has the sensor attached to the bridge.
Have a bow, but no idea how to use it…don’t have any Rosen, etc. Thus can’t report on arco playability.
That’s all I’ve got for you. Have a great weekend, everyone.
As string tension is reduced by changing to various sets of strings, the fingerboard may need to have more (or less) built-in relief to avoid rattling. There may also be humps in the fingerboard that new low tension strings reveal by rattling. If you're serious about fatter low tension strings, and in particular if you're experiencing rattling after new strings are broken in, you may want to have a qualified DB luthier dress your fingerboard for those strings, in addition to perhaps making other DB setup adjustments for your playing.
While strings can be a crazy rabbit hole, it's a good idea to do a little research about what is available. I've found Golihur Music's informational website (NFI) to be an amazing learning experience. Their string section in particular is great for someone starting out with string and playing style related choices.
Gollihur also has a full lineup of rosins and pickups to learn about.
Best of luck with your DB playing!
Super Nils are a great string for beginning slap and they have a nice round tone for pizz. They are completely unbowable because of the roundwound nature of the strings. For what you are working on now though, they are perfect. After you become more comfortable with slap you may want to try something else. I played supernils for the better part of 20 years with various forays into gut during that time frame.
Right now I’m playing the Aquila Sugar Slaps, which do everything I want a synthetic string to do and they stay in tune. They slap like gut; and kind of bow like gut. I love them.
Right now I’m playing the Aquila Sugar Slaps, which do everything I want a synthetic string to do and they stay in tune. They slap like gut; and kind of bow like gut. I love them.
