Double Bass Wilbur Ware Strings

[Dutch Williams]

ok ... everybodys best shot ...

whats he strung up with here?

 

[Earl]

Most likely plain gut G/D, wound gut E/A

 

[Dutch Williams]

i dont know if its the optics of the pic or what ... maybe some older heads know .. but those look like TREE TRUNKS ...

 

[Eli Brockway]

He might've preferred some heavier gauge strings, or it could just be optics. Definitely guts though.

In other photos it looks like he might've been a plain A guy, rather than overwound.

But that also might just be lighting, because it seems pretty definitely overwound in other pictures.

Different basses in different pictures too, though, so it really turns into a "who even knows?" at that point.

 

[Dutch Williams]

He might've preferred some heavier gauge strings, or it could just be optics. Definitely guts though.

View attachment 4242930

In other photos it looks like he might've been a plain A guy, rather than overwound.

View attachment 4242931

But that also might just be lighting, because it seems pretty definitely overwound in other pictures.

View attachment 4242932

Different basses in different pictures too, though, so it really turns into a "who even knows?" at that point.

Yowza. need a yard stick to measure that string height 1st pic

funny how that A *looks* unwound 2nd pic and wound 3rd pic yet they were definitely taken right next to eachother ... dang

those gauges look a little more normal too in those pics you just posted ... my OG pic up there the G looks insane like a D or an A as a G lmao

 

[Eli Brockway]

Yowza. need a yard stick to measure that string height 1st pic

funny how that A *looks* unwound 2nd pic and wound 3rd pic yet they were definitely taken right next to eachother ... dang

those gauges look a little more normal too in those pics you just posted ... my OG pic up there the G looks insane like a D or an A as a G lmao

Low overstand, almost any action with good projection will be high.

But those are definitely different basses in the second and third pictures. Probably different days, too, since he's wearing different clothes (most noticeable on the shirts, but the trousers are definitely different as well). No clue which of those basses was his, if they were both his and one just liked different strings, or if it was a day where he was just off trying various different basses.

I think it's probably just the lighting that makes that G string look so massive in your picture—I've seen similar angles with Carlos Henriquez that make it look like he's got a plain E in the G spot just because of how the light hits it, generally right after he's just hit the string so it's still vibrating, adding to the effect.

 

[Sean Riddle]

From what I know, Wilbur Ware didn't have a consistent bass to use. He used a bunch of different ones over his life due to money and I believe addiction issues. Supposedly he'd pawn a bass here and there to pay a debt. So I doubt he had a favorite string. Whatever he could get for a gig he'd play it. Hopefully those who are more knowledgable about Wilbur Ware's life can better clarify.

 

[gerry grable]

From what I know, Wilbur Ware didn't have a consistent bass to use. He used a bunch of different ones over his life due to money and I believe addiction issues. Supposedly he'd pawn a bass here and there to pay a debt. So I doubt he had a favorite string. Whatever he could get for a gig he'd play it. Hopefully those who are more knowledgable about Wilbur Ware's life can better clarify.

He had a reputation for "borrowing" basses and hocking (pawning) them. Students were warned not to lend him their basses.

 

[Dutch Williams]

From what I know, Wilbur Ware didn't have a consistent bass to use. He used a bunch of different ones over his life due to money and I believe addiction issues. Supposedly he'd pawn a bass here and there to pay a debt. So I doubt he had a favorite string. Whatever he could get for a gig he'd play it. Hopefully those who are more knowledgable about Wilbur Ware's life can better clarify.

theres wisdom in here ....

 

[Dutch Williams]

Low overstand, almost any action with good projection will be high.

But those are definitely different basses in the second and third pictures. Probably different days, too, since he's wearing different clothes (most noticeable on the shirts, but the trousers are definitely different as well). No clue which of those basses was his, if they were both his and one just liked different strings, or if it was a day where he was just off trying various different basses.

I think it's probably just the lighting that makes that G string look so massive in your picture—I've seen similar angles with Carlos Henriquez that make it look like he's got a plain E in the G spot just because of how the light hits it, generally right after he's just hit the string so it's still vibrating, adding to the effect.

well dang i am *so* disqualified from becoming a detective, good catches
good call on the vibration too, that might puff it up in a pic

 

[Jim Dombrowski]

I remember seeing a comment about that first photo somewhere that a small bird could fly between the strings and fingerboard

 

[Dutch Williams]

I remember seeing a comment about that first photo somewhere that a small bird could fly between the strings and fingerboard

LMAO