Double Bass Zyex on King Moretone...

[Don Hergert]

... Spyros. Which I’ve heard on other threads people say they sustain for years…… which I don’t think is really a bluegrass thing? ...

The bluegrass folks I know who use Spiros tend to really like them. Most are using Weich or Solos tuned concert. Mittels too, but it seems as folks get older the tend to look for lower tension. And yes, they have really slow decay and a very modern tone, but enough folks use them in bluegrass that they tend to have their place. I see a lot of LH muting happening with Spiros, which really does sound good. And Spiros also have longevity on their side.

Personally I've gone the opposite direction, much preferring very fat strings, very fast decay and very old school tone. If I could justify the cost I'd be using a full set of plain guts, but I get probably 80% to 90% of that touch and sound with the fattest SBW Deluxe Dirty Guts for 10% of the cost, and I'm very happy with them. And like Sprios, they'll last forever.

 

[Francois Blais]

The G looks like Zyex but the rest i am not so sure as they don't match the Daddario color chart for Zyex. They look pretty worn, whatever they are.

The E looks like an Obligato, and the others are probably Zyex, only just worn and some silk gone from the pickup jack bracket.

 

[Matt Power]

I use the Zyex lights on G, D and A, and a medium E. My bass, even with a low and comfy jazz setup is plenty loud. Soundpost sounds like you might want it looked at by a bass specialist, if you can drive to one.
Don't overlook the Zyex strings for pizz. After a good setup and a couple weeks of playing, they have a wonderful ping and they really sing!

 

[Jeffon]

Interesting... I was just going off what seller told me. Thanks

 

[Ben Noblit]

The bluegrass folks I know who use Spiros tend to really like them. Most are using Weich or Solos tuned concert. Mittels too, but it seems as folks get older the tend to look for lower tension. And yes, they have really slow decay and a very modern tone, but enough folks use them in bluegrass that they tend to have their place. I see a lot of LH muting happening with Spiros, which really does sound good. And Spiros also have longevity on their side.

Personally I've gone the opposite direction, much preferring very fat strings, very fast decay and very old school tone. If I could justify the cost I'd be using a full set of plain guts, but I get probably 80% to 90% of that touch and sound with the fattest SBW Deluxe Dirty Guts for 10% of the cost, and I'm very happy with them. And like Sprios, they'll last forever.

I've got such a love hate relationship with Spiros. I play oldtime mostly, but a good bit of grass as well. Gut on top, Spiro Starks on bottom. You gotta mute them, your left hand technique has to be on point, don't love the growl of stopped notes, playing in Bb can get annoyingly buzzy, but the pitch clarity is really good for my practicing, and the power and attack from the low strings is just so nice to have. Can't choke em out, and being able to really snap a jam in the butt with a low E on a tune with some air under it is a good tool to have.

 

[bobsax]

SBW Deluxe Dirty Guts

Thought I’d throw the link in on those dirty guts. Superior Bassworks Deluxe Upright Double Bass Strings Dirty Gut
And a really good thread on them with comments from Don. https://www.talkbass.com/threads/superior-bassworks-dirty-gut-strings.1624207/page-2