The key to avoiding rust spots is to have very poor intonation so you don't play on the same spots all the time...The new ones have a bit more "zing" with a bit more of the non fundamentals coming through. Much easier to tell in person. If you played only one note (no vibrato) with each and showed a capture of the frequency spectrum for both the old and new I suspect you could see the differences more clearly.

@doublebasshq

Жыл бұрын

For sure! The differences in tone seemed pretty subtle to me, but there was definitely a more “tuned up” response to them in terms of how they feel.

Another epic video, as always! Having someone else play my bass in a good hall with old strings was a major revelation... sounded good/dark/thumpy from where I sat on stage, but 50 feet out in the audience it was like putting your hand over your mouth while talking... I was shocked/embarrassed at how dull and unclear they were. Never again!

@doublebasshq

Жыл бұрын

Very cool--thanks,. Aaron!

I always like the D'Addario Helicore Orchestral Bass Strings (in Medium Tension) because the steel rope core and thinner gauge improve the response.

@doublebasshq

Жыл бұрын

I used those for years on my old bass and liked them as well!

@RockStarOscarStern634

Жыл бұрын

@@doublebasshq They're my favorite cause the steel rope core makes them strong and flexible. Double Bass Strings (virtually all Bowed Stringed instrument strings) are typically Flatwound (the wrap wire was flattened before it was wrapped around the core) and they were originally designed to replace the Gut Strings cause they last many times as long, they hold tune better, and the flat surface makes Bowing on the strings easier. They were invented by Hamilton as early as 1874.

@doublebasshq

Жыл бұрын

@@RockStarOscarStern634 I didn’t know that history-very cool!

@RockStarOscarStern634

Жыл бұрын

@@doublebasshq Thomas and George Martin cleverly solved the playability problem of the 5 String Upright Bass by tweaking its setup. The Low B String on a 5 String Upright Bass bypasses the need for an Extension on the Headstock, plus it really booms. 5 String Upright Basses are super useful, they can be used for playing in an unplugged setting.

@doublebasshq

Жыл бұрын

@@RockStarOscarStern634 sweet! The Martins are awesome.

Thank you! I need to change my strings, too.

@doublebasshq

Жыл бұрын

You bet!

Interesting A/B experiment. Like everyone else, I have a box-o-strings with many different sets from over the years. I rotate thru them all every six months or so. I clean them with alcohol after removing them from my bass and before storing. While strings are on my bass, I use (daily) one of those GHS fast fret swab sticks. It cleans and lubes the strings -- I cannot survive without this lube else my finger calluses get spilt and torn up. I too love Kaplan strings. I'm looking for the perfect A-string. I've not tried original flexocore, but I hear that's the best A-string. Have you tried these? Can you test them for us?

@doublebasshq

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking this out! I used to use Original Flexocor on my old German bass. They sounded great under my ear, but in hindsight I think they made my old bass sound a little too dark. The Jakstadt I’m currently playing on seems to pair well with a bunch of strings. I used Pirastro Permanents and Flexocor Deluxe, which both worked great for the kind of playing I do. The Kaplans are really similar to the Flexocor Deluxe, but just a bit darker on my bass, which seems to balance out really well. I used Bel Cantos for a while, but I felt that they weren’t as quick to respond as the Flexocor Deluxe, Permanent, or Kaplan. I also used Pirastro Perpetuals for a bit in 2020, and while I liked them, they were a bit brighter for my taste and a bit more challenging to bow. D’Addario Zyex are hilarious on my bass. I have a hard time bowing them (maybe it’s just me!), and they have a bright and strident tone that, while I actually think is kind of cool, definitely don’t blend into a bass section! One of these days, I’ll collab with a bass shop and do an exhaustive look at strings. It’s definitely a project on my list!

I need to change strings. I tune in 5ths and use Spirocoe 5ths, mostly. My strings were old before COVID.

@doublebasshq

Жыл бұрын

Nice! It’ll probably make an even bigger difference if your strings are older than the ones I replaced.

Would you say that the kaplan A is higher tension than a belcanto A? Great comparison

@doublebasshq

Жыл бұрын

I think the Kaplans are a bit higher tension than the Bel Cantos (that’s my recollection of Bel Cantos on my bass, at least). I’ve got a string tension comparison chart somewhere around here…

@alfieharries

Жыл бұрын

@@doublebasshq thanks. I love bel cantos but for whatever reason the A is flabby as hell - it's currently strung backwards through the bridge

@tommy49elliot

Жыл бұрын

Great video, buddy. I’m on my second set of Perpetuals, as per your recommendation. I think the new strings were noticeably better to my ears with the bow. However, I think I preferred the pizzicato sound with the old strings.

Hey, i have a used bass, ive never changed the strings so i dont know how old they are, which strings would you recommend for both jazz and classical? and what can i do to increase string lifespan when i put them on?

@doublebasshq

Жыл бұрын

Pirastro Perpetuals and Evah Pirazzis are both good options for both pizz and arco. There are a bunch of brands that fit the bill for that, but these are popular options for sure.

What is the best set of strings for solo double bass, and another for orchestra?

@doublebasshq

Ай бұрын

It’s a big topic, and there’s a lot of personal preference. I think this post has some good recommendations, though; doublebasshq.com/gear_posts/choosing-double-bass-strings-whats-right-for-you/

I keep wanting to experiment but after using original flatchromes everything else disappoints (definitely not because I play too heavy or anything.....) Also, are you playing with the SF Symphony this week? I play in the YO and sometimes see you playing in the concerts after our rehearsals!

@doublebasshq

Жыл бұрын

Small world! I’m playing the concert tonight but that’s it for the week. Say hi the next time we meet on the street! 😃

I think the new strings seemed to be more responsive with more bite with a hint of more brightness.

@doublebasshq

Жыл бұрын

I agree-it’s subtle, but I can hear a bit of a difference.

Bro is going hard trying to sell us strings

With the exception of spirocores. The older the better 😁

@doublebasshq

Жыл бұрын

I know-isn’t that wild about Spirocores?

Massive difference on pizzicato

Belcantos or velvet blues for me.. I really like helicores, but with helicores - if I practice a lot (say 4 hours a day) I tend to get a bit of tendonitis..

@doublebasshq

Жыл бұрын

Those are all great strings for sure!

@Pensivata

Жыл бұрын

@@doublebasshq I should qualify that when I say 'Velvet Blues', I mean the 'Thomastik equivalent' because Velvet Blues are not made by the company of the same name any more - but the Thomastik set - which adopts 'the legacy name -' are so sweet they more than deserve to inherit that noble epithet! ;-)

Are those metals strings??? I need answers Im itching to bow my double bass but It doesn't't work..

@doublebasshq

Жыл бұрын

Yup-these are metal strings!

@rhyleabrea9775

Жыл бұрын

Can you play steel strings with a bow??

I listened through my computer and the frequency response of the speakers, even with the subwoofer for the lowest tones, is not optimal for the test and I couldn't really tell the difference.

@doublebasshq

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, it was pretty subtle in terms of tone. I think that there’s a difference in feel from the player perspective, though.

I listened through studio monitors and found the difference to be pretty slight. Definitely a little more zing on the new strings though.

@doublebasshq

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, it’s a subtle difference for sure. I was expecting there to be more of a difference in tone. The new ones feel more responsive under the hands to me. Maybe I don’t need to change strings as often as I thought (or I need to play more bass to wear them out faster!).

@stevebadachmusic

Жыл бұрын

@@doublebasshq I'm sure the difference is much more apparent first hand! but the Kaplan's sound great

@doublebasshq

Жыл бұрын

Kaplans seem to work well on my Jakstadt!