Double bass strings for folk?

Subject: Double bass strings for folk?
From: GUEST,jellybeams
Date: 01 Dec 02 - 10:26 AM

Its come round to the time to get some new strings but there are so many to choose from. Has anyone got any good advice? I play mostly folk pizzicato, but I occasionally play in an orchestra.I have a budget of up to £150. My family have promised to buy me a string each for christmas.

Subject: RE: Double bass strings for folk?
From: Nemesis
Date: 01 Dec 02 - 11:31 AM

If you don't get a direct answer from a DB player, then I've got a friend I can ask for you.
Hille

Subject: RE: Double bass strings for folk?
From: Jellybeam
Date: 01 Dec 02 - 11:41 AM

Thanks Hille

Subject: RE: Double bass strings for folk?
From: Allan C.
Date: 01 Dec 02 - 12:17 PM

Mine fall just about within that price range, if my math is right. I paid $94.50 (USD) about a year ago. See the Red Label line at:

http://www.supersensitive.com/index.htm

You may have to email them for a current price.

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Double bass strings for folk?
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Dec 02 - 12:30 PM

Check this page out for US prices......Southwest Strings I wouldn't reccomend SuperSentives for orchestra work....

Subject: RE: Double bass strings for folk?
From: jimmyt
Date: 01 Dec 02 - 05:19 PM

Hey Jellybeans, I play folk almost exclusively, and am just needing a set of strings. I contacted a Bass site helpline and asked the same question, and they suggested a set of D'addario Helicore strings. I played $89 plus shipping for them, but haven't installed them yet, so I won't know for awhile, but the luthier said they are the best for folk pizzicato. Try Upton Bass.com and ask questions Very nice folks   Let me know what you find out. Where are you located? not many of us Accoustic bass guys here on Mudcat

Subject: RE: Double bass strings for folk?
From: Mitch the Bass
Date: 02 Dec 02 - 07:47 AM

Hi,

I'm using D'Addario Helicores on a fairly ordinary 3/4 bass and Thomastik superflexibles on a Bridge Cetus electric upright.

There's little to choose between them. I play mostly pizz with occasional arco for early music and some orchestra work.

D'Addario do strings called "hybrids" which are supposed to be the best compromise for arco and pizz but I have no experience of these.

I recently tried a set of LaBella Supernils - G and D nylon wound on nylon, A and E silver plated wound on nylon. I would not recommend them.

In the past I've used Pirastro Flexocors - good arco sound and very smooth on the fingers but not quite so good for pizz. Pirastro Jazzer/Wondertone might be worth a try for pizz.

http://www.gollihur.com/kkbass/basslink.html#strings

has list of all makes of bass strings.


regards
Mitch
www.stradivarious.co.uk

Subject: RE: Double bass strings for folk?
From: Les B
Date: 02 Dec 02 - 08:01 PM

I'm not a bass player, but I play with one in a group. What is pizz and arco ??

And, since I'm asking dumb questions, do any of you have any sense of when the bass began to be used in old timey, folk, and/or bluegrass groups? Most of the records of string bands from the 1930s don't seem to have basses - just a guitar playing bass runs, etc.

Subject: RE: Double bass strings for folk?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 02 Dec 02 - 10:05 PM

Les - Arco means bowed. Pizz (short for pizzicato) means plucked. Most folk bass is, of course, pizzicato, but most upright players I know have never heard the word. They call it thumpin'. ;-)

Bruce

Subject: RE: Double bass strings for folk?
From: Mitch the Bass
Date: 03 Dec 02 - 10:46 AM

Les,

Sorry, my fault for using obscure abbreviations. Arco and pizz are what is normally written on the music to indicate "with the bow" or "plucked".

Lots of European traditional bass players use the bow almost all the time. I saw an Italian group at a festival this summer with a 3-string bass player using a very short bow. He must have had some really good rosin as he was sawing away and producing an amazing percussive sound.

Mitch