My school bass is easily 60 years old and it has 20 year old spirocores on it. Just like to confirm Jeff's claim that they do infact sound better overtime as well as simply being able to last over several decades. Another thing to mention is that in an orchestra setting they are capible of playing at a very high volume. Spirocores are great strings.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking out the video and that's great to hear about the spiros. Plus you are spot on about volume, I think they have to be one of the loudest strings out there which is a great thing.

I played on Chubby Jackson’s old Kay basses when Duffy brought one by my music school. The thing had Spiros on it from the 70s but boy did it sound good.

the intro was a sweet moment...thanks

@davidbteague

7 жыл бұрын

It really is sweet, isn't it!!

I'm a cellist and I gotta say that Spirocore strings are probably the best investment on my instrument. Love the resonance and the powerful projection - even pizzicato. The wolf tones are almost gone.

Nice❣️I use a 8 years old spirocore solo set but in D standard. Love how it sounds.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

3 жыл бұрын

They are such great strings! I love how they just keep getting better with age :-)

Quoting a bit of ray brown with frankie and johnny! Love it

Thanks for the shout out! You sound great as always :) Greetings from across the pond.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

7 жыл бұрын

My pleasure Marco and I hope to catch up in Ithaca :-)

@marcopanascia

7 жыл бұрын

Won't be making it to Ithaca unfortunately, but if you stop by in NYC on your way there or after the convention, I'll be around.

Great video Geoff ! It gives a quite good idea of them, thank you.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

8 жыл бұрын

My pleasure, thanks for watching :-)

Incredible playing! Just lovely.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Scott, I really appreciate that 😀

Oh, it's great! Absolutely the same strings in the very same pack, which I bought for my upright! Fantastic strings! My choice definitely! Great as for pizzicato and as for arco, jazz, classical, blues, rockabilly, rock, etc. etc.Thank you, dear Geoff, for your wonderful review of THESE great strings!

@DiscoverDoubleBass

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Alex, I really appreciate that and enjoy the new strings :-)

@ThomastikInfeldVienna

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Alex, for those wonderful words :) Very happy to hear how much you like Spirocores :) #ThomastikLife

Great review !

After starting on Spiros and using them exclusively for years I spent the better part of a decade experimenting with all kinds of strings - Obligatos, Evah weich and medium, Velvet Animas, Zyex weich and I went back to spirocores this past May. Great reliable strings that last forever. I should have never started experimenting in the first place. Great video.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jon, I really appreciate that and have also been loving your videos over at kzread.info

@AndyCaru

5 жыл бұрын

In what way do you think Spiros are better than Evahs?

Wow! Amazing solo on the intro. Just put Thais strings on my bass today. Sounds alike

@DiscoverDoubleBass

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I'm glad you liked the solo and I hope you enjoy the new strings!

My favorite upright and electric bass strings...clarity, warmth, punch, longevity on either...I have been trying pirastro obligato but the finger roll when you shift toward the next note can be maddening, and they are warm but a little too soft in volume, so I swapped them back out for the spirocore weich. SO much punchier and greater clarity. The "ray brown" sound.

I switched to spirocore weichs several years ago from the regular spirocores. The only thing was I found the G string a little weak tone wise. I replaced the G string with my old spirocore and it did the trick. Great videos!

@DiscoverDoubleBass

3 жыл бұрын

Great tip! I've heard of others doing that and the G is certainly a bit weak compared to the others.

Very nice video. If you want Spirocores to settle, bow them strings furiously even if you arco technique sucks for about 2 days. The rosin will help on damping some of the twanginess and then wood will settle with the string as well. Just doing pizz is like a dog barking at the wood what it needs is a wonderful wolf howl by bowing long tones. I use Thomastik s only on my guitars electric bass and of course upright. I was tempted to get an Evah/Spiro mix but i remembered that Pirastros last 1/5 of the life Thomastiks. I finally put Weichs on my bass that I have not restrung since 1996, they have mediums which I have dunked in boiling water a couple times. I am cheap. The bass sounds better with the Weichs and actually fuller and I think the wood is more relaxed. It is actually the wood that produces the sound. Back in the 1990's I do not think there was a Spiro Weich.. My 5/8s Czech, I experimented with Zyex and after one year the strings are dead, well the E is very dead, the A is thin, the D has so much thud but the G actually sings. . I think I may actually use solo strings and tune them to EADA.. Spirocores of course..

Man... forget the review (which was very helpful)... Geoff's playing at the beginning... so good. Frankie & Johnny?

"Spirocore Weich" are great stings. I love them too. I like there groowl...

@DiscoverDoubleBass

8 жыл бұрын

+1 That low G has never sounded better! :-)

very nice sound.......clear with quite a bit of presence. great jazz tone....sounds like you are moving soo much air with the bow 😀

@DiscoverDoubleBass

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks Lee :-) I hope you're doing well mate

thank you so much! I'm mainly a guitarplayer and just started playing double bass and it is so hard to find string reviews

@DiscoverDoubleBass

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and good luck with your new bass :-)

5 жыл бұрын

@@DiscoverDoubleBass thank you very much, i just discovered thsi channel and i'm ultra happy that i found it

@felixsnow5563

3 жыл бұрын

Google string matrix bass

3 жыл бұрын

@@felixsnow5563 cool! thanks

Came looking for string demos...stayed for the killer playing !

@DiscoverDoubleBass

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! 😀

Spirocores are awesome. Also thank you for not saying that moronic line when people describe strings, "it's kind of like obligatos." LOL sorry if I am only one that hates that. Anyway, thanks for the video and keep the amazing work.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking out the video :-)

Great video :)

@DiscoverDoubleBass

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching :-)

Awesome playing!!!!!!

@DiscoverDoubleBass

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark, I really appreciate that and love your videos/playing! Cheers Geoff :-)

@MarkMarxonsBassChannel

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks! (For the great channel/online resource and for the kind words) ;)

Best strings ever!

I liked your pizz tone more with the Evah Pirazzi Weich strings but I loved the arco sound. I have 1 year old Spirocore Mittel-s on my DB and recently I've been looking for something darker sounding and easier on the fingers without having to lower my current action.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

7 жыл бұрын

I like both, but right now I have the Evah Weichs back on as I'm a big fan of their arco sound...but the spiros had a clarity I loved.

Ray Brown! Thanks much! I’m seriously planning on getting an Upright Bass. I wondered what strings Ray used to use.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

4 жыл бұрын

No problem! Ray used the spiro wiech's towards the end of his career and in the early days it was Golden Spirals which are not made any more.

Cool mate! Maybe I'll switch to these strings after all. Right now I'm quite happy playing Pirastro Obligato. Hopefully you're provided a set of those, too. Love playing them. Be sure to give them a try, if you have the chance. Cheers!

@DiscoverDoubleBass

8 жыл бұрын

I actually really like Obligato and it's really hard to say which I prefer as they are a great string. Certainly one I would love to review and play again. :-)

0:49 cool lick

Geoff, you 'sort of' promised to transcribe the arco bit you played a 4:00 when you introduced it on another page. Would you do that and post it somewhere? If you did already, I managed to miss it. Ah ha! It's in your lesson guide. I'll go there and see how to access it. I use the C and G form Red Mitchel set of Mittel (Medium) for 5ths tuning. and Bel Canto (orchestral) D and (solo set) A. Everything you said about the Spirocore set has also been my experience. Thank you for your remarks.

Thank you for the great review! :) #ThomastikLife

@DiscoverDoubleBass

7 жыл бұрын

My pleasure, I've been really enjoying using the strings, they are superb :-)

Very informative. Many thanks. Concerning the arco sound, which rosin you use for his review?

@DiscoverDoubleBass

8 жыл бұрын

Oak. I just bought it after hearing a lot of good reviews and I must say that it's great and works well with my set up.

i'm 65 years old kontrabas musician ..i learn on this video so much from this 20 years old ( or under ?? ) master musician . I haven't pay attention trough all this decades to notice such obvious details about strings differences Is time to switch in to Thomastik Spirocore Weich Thank you so much young MAESTRO ! Ps. however on the side : what you think about D'Addario Helicore Pizzicato Bass Strings ? Have you try them yet ? .. i didn't and now i'm in little pickle trying to decide what brand i should get since is time to get the new strings . But after this video i already made decision to Tomastic Spirocore

@DiscoverDoubleBass

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your kind words! I'm a big fan of D'Aaddario Helicore hybrid and pizzacato. Both are superb and I really like them. For me, the Spirocore are my go to, but I would be happy with either. :-)

Thanks for the video! In regards to playing arco, most of what you played was legato. How do think these would work for more articulate bow strokes? I’ve tried the mittels and love them for jazz, but I use the bow a lot as well. I can get a good legato sound, but when I try to play any kind of spiccato or off the string stroke, it’s not pretty. Maybe the Weichs can? What’s your experience. You can’t beat the Belcanto bowed sound. Evahs were ok, but they just don’t sing like a TI. Great playing as always. Thanks for the great content!

@DiscoverDoubleBass

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, I think the weich work well for off the string stokes and are easier to get moving than mittels. Here's a video of the same bass with Spiro weichs kzread.info/dash/bejne/o4WAxMWRfNrJdM4.html

Thanks for the great review! Can you tell me the difference between the Spirocore light - medium and heavy? Is it the string diameter? Or as they say just the tension? and what is the effect on the sound?

@DiscoverDoubleBass

3 жыл бұрын

I'm pretty sure it's both diameter and tension. IME the weich gauge are easier to bow and easier on the hands than the orchestra (medium). The mediums do have a 'bigger' tone, but I personally really like the tone of the weichs. However lots of incredible bassists use the mediums to great success, so it's a personal choice and both can work really well. BTW, if you check out our recent videos by John Goldsby and Joseph Conyers, there's some great performances and that's using the same set of spiro weichs that you see in this video.

@koertdekker

3 жыл бұрын

@@DiscoverDoubleBass Thanks!

Hi there thanks for the demo. I had this issue about the character of Spirocore and just found out your playing also has that quality. When getting closer to the end of the fingerboard it sounds very muted! I’m wondering if you know any other set of string that speaks well closer to the end of the fingerboard. Thanks a lot.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

3 жыл бұрын

I know what you mean, but I'm not sure I can recommend a string which would be better than spirocore for this. I think the fingerboard shape can make a big difference to how clearly strings speak in the high register, so that could also be a way to improve things. I also wondered about medium gage spirocore, but it's a real guess and they may not be suitable. Good luck getting the string.

Hey Geoff, What's the name of the song you played around 4 minutes? (If I has a name) Thanks for making these string reviews by the way. although I've since moved back to my orch spirocores, your videos helped me decide on weich evahs, which I played and enjoyed for a good while!

@DiscoverDoubleBass

7 жыл бұрын

I actually released a video teaching that piece last week and you can check it out here :-) kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZYmlx5aipdDOZ8o.html

Hi, Geoff! What about durability? Particularly between these and Eva Pirazzi's. They've told me that Spirocore's durability is longer, but I've tried Eva's on another bass and the sound is closer to what I'm looking for (darker, a Charlie Haden-kind of sound). But all the strings get darker with time.

@cirocasarin

7 жыл бұрын

Sorry! I've just listened the answer to my question in your video haha. Thanks anyway!

Nice sound from Spirocore...Geoff, how it's the sound from Thomastik Dominant? I need to change my strings and I will want to user Dominant. Orchestra tunning it's G-D-A-E? Thanks.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

4 жыл бұрын

I've not tried Dominants so I can't compare them. Some great jazzers like Chris Fitzgerald use them though.

Hi Geoff, Nice solo. Spiros sound great on your bass. I have used this same set for about the same time of this video. The very same set. The strings sound better now, in my opinion. How long do you use a set? I reckon you are mailed a number of different sets for review, so maybe this question might not be for you. Many thanks, and arpeggios of cheers to everyone in a big legato at Discover Double Bass.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

4 жыл бұрын

For steel strings I leave them on for as long as possible as I think the tone improves with age. Probably at least 2 or 3 years before I might start to have issues. But the synthetic core strings live Evahs tend to die after about 8 months (for me on my bass). But there's a lot of variables there.

Hey Geoff, were these spiro weich the S42 (4/4) or 3885 (3/4) set?

@DiscoverDoubleBass

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Mark, it was the 3885 (3/4) set. I've not tried the S42 but I'm happy with the tension/feel of the 3/4 set.

Geoff could you recommend a rosin that works well with these strings. I play an Eastman 80. I have two different Rosins. And still seems to scratch quite a lot. I love the strings and the sound they give. Any help would be really appreciated

@DiscoverDoubleBass

6 жыл бұрын

I like Pops and Kolstien rosin, but any decent brand should work well. There's a lot of variables that cause squeaks and scratches (including too much rosin) so I'm not sure if I would recommend trying another type if you have already tried a decent brand already.

@MrDeano41

5 жыл бұрын

Discover Double Bass well I’ve been using pops. And on a gamble just bought some Kolstein. And a marked improvement. I use a French bow. And been really studying how I’m holding the bow. So thanx for your help. Geoff really appreciate it 👍

Another great video Geoff, after watching it I went and bought a set of Thomastik Infeld Spirocore 3885, OW Light Spiral Core for my 3/4 Jazz Double Bass. Then I noticed you are using the S42W lights, which are for a 4/4 Double Bass. My question is do you recommend the S42W set on a 3/4 or are you playing a 4/4?

@DiscoverDoubleBass

15 күн бұрын

I think I've used both sets on my 3/4 bass and am not sure if I have a preference. When I buy my next set I will just go with 3/4. It think both are great and there's probably not a huge difference.

@MrHatmando

15 күн бұрын

@@DiscoverDoubleBass thanks for replying, I’m loving the 3885s, your recommendation is what led me to buy them so many thanks for that. 👍

Could you please compare weich and medium thomastic strings? In order to hear a reference? That would be great, thank you!

@DiscoverDoubleBass

3 жыл бұрын

Great suggestion, we will try to cover that in a future video. IME, the medium do sound a bit 'bigger' but I actually prefer the tone of the weichs. I also find the weichs a lot easier to play on both the left and right hands. However it's a very personal thing and it really comes down to what you want from a string.

@ianlythgoe7666

3 жыл бұрын

I have the mediums which are brilliant but wish I had weich.. when I detune and lose the tension the instrument practically plays itself!

Is the light gauge of Spirocore only available for 4/4 double bass? Or can I use 4/4 string on 3/4 double bass?

@DiscoverDoubleBass

3 жыл бұрын

They make the Spirocore weich set for both 3/4 and 4/4 basses. I would recommend using the appropriate set for your bass, but it would likely be possible to use the 4/4 set on a 3/4 bass.

Hi, Geoff! As you see, I'm always watching your videos, they are really helpful. My question is: what about Thomastik Spirocore CHROME WOUND? Because they look really similar to these ones. I have the possibility to buy them (medium, spiral core, CHROME wound) but I don´t know if they are really the same.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

7 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure, but I think they are chrome wound strings... but you should check the catalogue to make sure the serial numbers are correct. I think it sounds like the medium gauge Spriocore and I'm reviewing the light gauge. Both are superb strings. Good luck and I hope that helps, cheers Geoff

@DiscoverDoubleBass

7 жыл бұрын

+ here's the link to the catalogue you need. www.thomastik-infeld.com/family-detail/Spirocore%20Bass

@cirocasarin

7 жыл бұрын

Sorry, it was such a stupid thing. What happened is that I was confusing the individual string bag with the set box. I already bought the medium gauge. Again, thanks for your time. I began playing upright with your tutorials. Really great videos, Geoff!

@snootzie78

6 жыл бұрын

Ciro Casarin I've used spirocore chrome core on my cello. They really bring out the warmth and beauty of the strings.

Thanks for the review! How does this set compare to the spirocore solo?

@DiscoverDoubleBass

4 жыл бұрын

I've not tried the solo set on my bass, so can't say for sure, but when I've tried them on other instruments I didn't warm to them. I would really need to try them on mine to be sure, but my gut feeling is that at orchestra pitch for jazz they don't work as well as the weich set for my needs.

@nicholasbtorretta

4 жыл бұрын

Discover Double Bass thanks for the reply! Maybe I should try the weich some day, for the box description they seem to be “lighther” in tension than the solo, right?

Between Evah and spirocore, what would you choose for a 90/10 pizz to bow ratio? And would it be better to get a G Orchestra? Thank you all

@DiscoverDoubleBass

Жыл бұрын

I’m really not sure. Possibly a well played set of Spiro Weich, but I also love Evah Weichs. They just have a different core tone, but both are superb. I don’t like using a heavier G unless it’s the Oliv. My preference would be to use all the same set/gauge.

@Lapache007.

Жыл бұрын

@@DiscoverDoubleBass Thank you 🙏

Hi. What could be your idea about this set and solo set with orchesral tuning? How do you compare those two? Thank you.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

3 жыл бұрын

I've not tried Spiro solos on my bass but when I tried them on one in a shop I didn't think they worked as well for jazz as Sprio weichs. However, I only played a few notes so I can't say for sure.

@barisbungybass3577

3 жыл бұрын

@@DiscoverDoubleBass Thank you Sir.

Any opinions on Spirocore Stark? Want to try set but I'm afraid my old German bass might not like the high tension..

@dinglebass

7 жыл бұрын

there are a lot of reviews of them on talkbass. Go check it out. If you have trouble finding the megathread let me know.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

7 жыл бұрын

+1 to the talkbass thread. I've not tried them, but have heard many people love them. My preference is generally for lighter strings, so they wouldn't be a good fit for me, but the Stark E apparently has a wonderful tone.

Geoff, did you have the Spirocores on for lesson #82? What is your string length? Thanks.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

8 жыл бұрын

That was filmed few months back when I was using D'Addario Zyex. I still love those strings and they are a great option. I'm kind of on the fence as to which I prefer, the spiros, zyex or Evah Pirazzi...too many options :-)

@hhohn

8 жыл бұрын

Interesting. You and the bass are sounding excellent, especially the clarity under the bow. I have S42 Mittels on, after Helicore Pizz Heavys. I've noticed the tonal center is much more clear, making adjustments to intonation easier for me. And the Spiros feel smoother/softer to the touch.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I really appreciate that and had exactly the same experience with the clarity of the tonal centre..... BTW the string length is 41.5" Cheers Geoff

@hhohn

8 жыл бұрын

Mine too. When I first bought the bass, based on a Thomastik recommendation, I had it strung up with 3885 Spirocore Mittel string for 3/4 bass. They were extremely "tight" and hard to get sound out of, especially under the bow. Anyhow, thank you much for string review. In a few years, I think I'll switch to weich gauge.

hey! I'm after a more waffly G string than the spirocore, would the belcanto give me that? currently sounds quite harsh

@DiscoverDoubleBass

5 жыл бұрын

I've found that over time the G does settle down, but I know exactly what you mean. IMO the Belcanto G would work ok when unamplified, but get lost in the mix when amplified, especially when paired with a stronger string like Spiros. A lot of players us a Gut G string like an Oliv or a synthetic such as Zyex, Evah weich. I personally find that mixing brands doesn't work for me, but it's a personal thing and it works for a lot of great bassists.

@fabianm2819

5 жыл бұрын

@@DiscoverDoubleBass yeah I've had this bass about 4 years and it's still a pretty harsh one tbh:(

@DiscoverDoubleBass

5 жыл бұрын

ahhh 4 years sounds like long enough.

Hi, i’m from Colombia, and also a big fan of this channel. I’m doing my best to understand, hehe. Anyone can tell me what’s the meaning of “Spirocore”?

@DiscoverDoubleBass

Жыл бұрын

Spirocore are a brand of strings made by Thomastik Infeld. They are a steel core string and have been used by many famous jazz bassists, as well as some orchestra bassists.

The new Spiro sets are brighter, I believe. Have you felt this? Have they changed anything? Different Steel supplier, perhaps? In the past they sounded not as bright under my ear. Particularly the G string. It just does not sound perfect under the bow, on my bass.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

4 жыл бұрын

I've not spotted any change in the formula with old/modern sets...but it's tricky as the new sets are always way too bright and need playing in (IMO). . . so it may just be that.

is it difficult to restring a bass? without destroying the old strings?

@DiscoverDoubleBass

7 жыл бұрын

You have to take care if the strings are old, especially if it's too the point where the windings are coming apart. Here's a video explaining the process. kzread.info/dash/bejne/rHas0KhmndCvh6w.html

In the store they only remain in medium tension, is it a lot of difference in sound and touch for pizzicato? HELP!!😅

@DiscoverDoubleBass

2 жыл бұрын

There is a noticeable difference with the mediums having more tension and a slightly different sound, but it's really a personal preference. There are many jazz greats who use the mediums, but my preference is the weichs.

My bass has 40+ year strings on it and the D string just busted. Mostly pic now as opposed to playing in orchestras with a bow. Looking for a good plucking string as I’m in blue grass bands now

@Symphing12

4 жыл бұрын

These are probably the ones you want

thx to great video! In my opinion, I thought it was an unfit string to play as an arco, but it broke that prejudice. Why are people reluctant to play arco with Spirocore?

@DiscoverDoubleBass

3 ай бұрын

I love them! Check out classical maestro Joe Conyers ripping it up with a set of Sprio Wiechs. kzread.info/dash/bejne/aXWG06Rxcc21Ys4.htmlsi=-pvoJ9njycesRF3R&t=490

@user-ct8pe2yo7c

3 ай бұрын

@@DiscoverDoubleBass Wow fine performance. Thank you for the good video and reply. I think the string seems to have a bigger difference in taste and player's performance. Have a good one!

Is this the 4/4 weich set or the 3/4 weich set?

@DiscoverDoubleBass

11 ай бұрын

I'm pretty sure they were the 3/4 set.

They sound really great but I would imagine under heavy slapping they could gouge up the finger board.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

4 жыл бұрын

Agreed. I think a lower tension string would be a better fit for slap.

@edwither8284

4 жыл бұрын

@@DiscoverDoubleBass If you got time look me up on KZread.. Let me know what you think of my latest video.

How different would Mittels be?

@DiscoverDoubleBass

7 жыл бұрын

Hey John, it's hard to describe, but the Mittels are different. They have more body to the sound and possible a touch more volume, but they are also harder to play IMO. I prefer the feel of lighter gauge strings so go with those, but a lot of great bassists use Sprio Mittels and sound amazing. Both are good options.

@johnf.hebert1409

7 жыл бұрын

thanks, i just ordered a pair of mittels. Changing strings may mess with the setup should I take it to a luthier or just do it myself?

L’arco, con l’arco vogliamo sentirle ...

Geoff, if you want to do a proper review, you need to sit next to a less talented player and make comments simultaneously. I started listening for the strings, and then got distracted by the beautiful music and inventive use of double-stops.

@DiscoverDoubleBass

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Eric, I really appreciate that :-)