Double Bass Zingyness

[mightyd]

I really like the zingyness some double basses can have at the higher registers.

Can i achieve this zingyness by using more flexible strings? And which ones?

(The strings that i'm using arent the best......)

Thanks

 

[PB+J]

do you mean arco (with the bow) or pizz (with the fingers)?

 

[mightyd]

arco..

 

[PB+J]

Spirocores? They have a reputation as a jazz string, but they were intended to be bowed, and they have a really forceful, live, almost raw tone--they'll zing if you want them too

 

[mightyd]

where do you get spirocores from?

Do you know any websites and how much they cost?

 

[PB+J]

Thomastik spirocores are very easy to find--most local violin shops will probably have some around. They come in four sizes

Solo (designed for solo tuning)
Weich (the thinnest and lowest tension for regular tuning)
Mittel (medium--these are really common and widely used for jazz)
Stark (highest tension)

They're very lively, zingy strings, but they aren't easy to get a sweet tone from starting out--they tend to sound a little raw. I'm not great master with the bow, and it took me a while to "tame" them. I'm using the weichs.

You can also get them online from some talkbass sponsors--uptonbass, www.gollihur.com, lemur music, etc. Here's a link to adealer who's local to me:
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You might want to spend some time looking through the reviews here--there are many better players than me who post regualry about strings

 

[Bethelbass1]

Are you hearing this "zingyness" in solo recordings or around other people? Many recording soloists use solo gauge strings and, while spirocores can give you some of that sound, you'll never get that zingy, really cello-like sound without being at solo pitch.

Also, much of that sound comes from playing really close to the bridge.

 

[mightyd]

yes, at the moment, i am hearing this warm cello zingyness, on recordings...

so what are solo gauge strings?

 

[Reuben]

Please define "zingyness."

Anybody.

 

[Bethelbass1]

Solo strings are labeled as such. They are tuned F#BEA which is 1 whole step up from orchestral tuning. This means you can only truly get the sound when playing solo tuning repertoire (Koussevitsky etc.). You can still tune them down to orchestral tuning and you will still get a little of the sound you want but not to the same extent. If you are always in orchestral tuning I suggest spirocores (especially weichs) because you can get a really zingy sound while still being at a higher tension. However, spiros are notoriously difficult to bow and still get a good sound. Still I use them (the solo gauge right now) to pretty good effect.