Double Bass Which strings should I purchase for my small bass?

[nayatiates]

Hello all!

I'm in the market for a new set of strings, but I'm unsure what to get. I am primarily a jazz player, but will need to play classically from time to time, so I'd like to get a set of strings that heavily favors pizz while still being decently "bowable".

My bass is also a 5/8ths size, so I'm unsure how that will impact my string choice. I wonder if 1/2 size strings would provide better feel and function than 3/4 strings.

Currently considering Weich Spirocores or Helicores. I also hear Pirastro Evah & Obligatos are good choices.

Any suggestions? Thank you.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

What is the string length on your bass?

 

[stefaniw80401]

I've been here with my students' 5/8 bass.

In the Thomastic realm, most everybody puts 4/4 sized Spirocore stark/mitt/weich, or Superflexibles (only mitt avail) on their 3/4 sized bass. These would be the sets labeled with S42. Individual string envelopes in the S42 sets are labeled S36, S37, S38, S39.

The 3/4 spirocore sets are labeled 3885.# and the 3/4 Superflexibles are labeled 2887.#

Thomastic reccomends the 3/4 size for 40.9"-41.7" string length.

For you, I'd go with the superflexibles.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Have a look at my Excel file in my Dropbox (link in string sticky).
The tension is recalculated for the string length entered in the upper right corner. You can change it, but you needn’t as you see the relative difference with any string length.

You also find 1/2 scale and even some shorter scale strings there.

It depends on the tension you prefer if you use 3/4 scale strings (lower tension) or 1/2 scale strings (higher tension) from the same string family.

 

[nayatiates]

What is the string length on your bass?

Hello! I'm not sure... I'll try and measure once I get home tonight.

 

[nayatiates]

Have a look at my Excel file in my Dropbox (link in string sticky).
The tension is recalculated for the string length entered in the upper right corner. You can change it, but you needn’t as you see the relative difference with any string length.

You also find 1/2 scale and even some shorter scale strings there.

It depends on the tension you prefer if you use 3/4 scale strings (lower tension) or 1/2 scale strings (higher tension) from the same string family.

I'll take a look, thank you!

Also, good to know. It looks like I'll be going with 3/4 for the lower tension.

 

[nayatiates]

I've been here with my students' 5/8 bass.

In the Thomastic realm, most everybody puts 4/4 sized Spirocore stark/mitt/weich, or Superflexibles (only mitt avail) on their 3/4 sized bass. These would be the sets labeled with S42. Individual string envelopes in the S42 sets are labeled S36, S37, S38, S39.

The 3/4 spirocore sets are labeled 3885.# and the 3/4 Superflexibles are labeled 2887.#

Thomastic reccomends the 3/4 size for 40.9"-41.7" string length.

For you, I'd go with the superflexibles.

Hello, and thank you for your input! And for providing what the specific labeling is for each string, I appreciate that. Looks like I'll be taking the superflexibles into consideration. I'm curious as to how they compare to standard Spirocore Weichs, since those are what I've been leaning toward buying the most so far. Depending on which I get, I may end up purchasing both further down the line.

 

[nayatiates]

What is the string length on your bass?

39" From the bridge to the nut.

 

[Ric Vice]

I own a Mirecourt 5/8th’s I play both Jazz and occasional Orchestral. Evah Parazzi is are the best I’ve played. Expensive, perhaps but worth every penny.

 

[Ric Vice]

I own a Mirecourt 5/8th’s I play both Jazz and occasional Orchestral. Evah Parazzi is are the best I’ve played. Expensive, perhaps but worth every penny .Spirocores are great jazz strings and orchestra section strings. But they’re very bright in a solo setting. I’m auditioning a set of Peter Infield strings. They’re touted as better for bowing and arco.

 

[stefaniw80401]

@Ric Vice I don't think EP's come in fractional sizes -- other than 3/4. Given that, I am assuming that you use the medium EPs on your Miercourt 5/8 bass? I would expect EP weichs would be too loose/soft on a 5/8 39" bass for arco.

@nayatiates you mentioned the spirocore weichs. The 3885 series (3/4) weichs ~might~ work on your 39" bass, and the S42 (4/4) weichs would for sure feel loose on your 5/8...similar prolly to down-tune S42 solos on a 3/4 bass. If you're leaning towards spirocore, and want a looser, but not too loose feel, then 3885 mitts/med spiros or 2887 superflexible might be the sweet spot.

The problem you'll have with S42 spiros and superflexible, in any of their gauges, will be excessive string wrapped around your tuning machines.

Keep in mind that longer strings (i.e. 3/4 or 4/4) mounted on a shorter bass (i.e. 5/8) will feel looser. That's why most jazz cats put S42 spirocores (mitts or weichs) on their 3/4 basses. Some can't decide, and flip-flop between say S42 mitts and 3885 weichs.

If you put on weichs, and they feel too soft, try raising your bridge a little.

 

[logdrum]

I currently have the correct Thomastik 1/2 Spirocored on my 38.5 scale bass. But I first restrung them with Zyex lights and even Passione soloa. Not a biggie . the Silks still wrapped around. Just to be sure I used gaffers tape where the E would wrap around. I can still do arco even if it's a bit loose.

Here's my small bass with the light Zyek about 9 years ago . It was recorded with a Pixel 6 which is not as good as iPhones even back then , no amp about 10 ft away, in a small cabin I was renting out in San Diego. County. Not the most live room. I think it is still pretty loud. Even louder now with the correct Spirocores - I/2 Mittels

Since I use this amplified, and not a soloist in an orchestra. - I really do not think about how loud it should be, I think it is still a loud bass considering it's size and humble provenance. It is anm old bass though

 

[Jeff Kissell]

I had a 39” mensure bass with S42 medium Spirocores and the tension was great. I would think any of the popular 3/4 scale strings would work fine but I would recommend the medium gauge, not light.

 

[logdrum]

I think I am going lighter gaguge on my small bass. One thing I noticed that with these Spirocore mediums that have now mellowed out, it is easy to bow but the pizz sound has become less in volume. So in this conduction ensemble rehearsal today, with 10 players ( with a drummer), I only had to amplify the bass when playing pizz but I was cutting when I was playing arco. I was amped really low, just enough so it sounds like my big bass with no amplification I remembered my volume pedal was in the car and that helped even out my volume between pizz and arco. Almost off on arco and then full on with pizz

Have you guys experienced this? Spirocores getting more stiff as they age. I have only used Weichs (except for E strings) and those do not have this issue of the D and G just getting stiff as the years go by. I still have the old Zyex and also have some guts that I got here, so I may actually try those on this bass.

 

[Zootsuitbass]

I own a Mirecourt 5/8th’s I play both Jazz and occasional Orchestral. Evah Parazzi is are the best I’ve played. Expensive, perhaps but worth every penny.View attachment 7469007View attachment 7469008

What is the string length of your bass?

 

[stefaniw80401]

Some strings get stiffer, or less flexible, as they get older. I noticed this with Kaplan heavies and EP regulars. Not so much with spirocores.

As far as your perceived loss of volume pizz, It may be just that -- your perception -- when in fact you might be punching out just fine. I discovered this phenomenon with thumpy orchestra strings. Especially in orchestra with arco. I felt like my bass punches harder with kaplans, than with spirocore.

If you have any experience with electric bass guitar, then you will have discovered the same phenomenon. Nothing punches like a P-bass with flats, tone rolled back a little, and a mute.

 

[logdrum]

Some strings get stiffer, or less flexible, as they get older. I noticed this with Kaplan heavies and EP regulars. Not so much with spirocores.

As far as your perceived loss of volume pizz, It may be just that -- your perception -- when in fact you might be punching out just fine. I discovered this phenomenon with thumpy orchestra strings. Especially in orchestra with arco. I felt like my bass punches harder with kaplans, than with spirocore.

If you have any experience with electric bass guitar, then you will have discovered the same phenomenon. Nothing punches like a P-bass with flats, tone rolled back a little, and a mute.

Thanks. I actually had some guts I got from one of the user's here during COVID. I know I have wrapped E,A and D a plain D and a plain G. Plain G sounds good and it looks like as loud as the Spiro Mittel G and I will probably use one of the D's because the G is a tad thicker than the G and it's a bit tricky cross bowing the G and D. So I am probably going to get better bowing if the D is also gut. I was hesitant that I'd lose some harmonics which I need to get in one of the songs in my band, but I just discovered that I can instead touch the strings from the sides rather than on top as I would on a metal string. I need to adjust my bowing style a bit.

Now just wondering if I should use the wrapped D or plain D

I was expecting the guts to be muted / shorter sustain but it is not the case. More singing tone than the Spiro. I think the bass is going to be happier with lower tension. This is a small bass we are talking about Some say 1/2 -- same say 5/8 I am going to split the difference and now saying it is a 9/16.

To the OP @nayatiates -- you can add guts to the list.

These are the set I got , I have no ides what brands they are but the G is great sounding -- been testing it since last night. The plain D is just in now and I may test the wrapped D later. Of course it will be a few days of stretching but works well with the shorter bass,