I think the heavier tailpiece helps the lower tension strings give out more power
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Double Bass Tempera Hybrid Strings
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I think the heavier tailpiece helps the lower tension strings give out more power
I used both Evah regulars and lights for quite a few years before going with the Tempera hybrids. The Temperas are a big improvement IMO. I wanted to go with a string that would respond to a lighter touch and these do that. I'm getting a better arco response and pizz is good too with the assumption that you don't force them. The claim that they will last seven years is great if true. It makes the extra cost no big thing. Evahs could decline after a few years with consistent use. I was also curious about the tailpiece question but I tried adding some weight for a while and didn't notice anything different. Maybe someone who has really tried it seriously could comment. The maker also recommends an adjuster-less bridge but that's not going to happen with me. I'm happy with them with the setup I have.
it's just part of how the instrument as a whole works. to explain it would be complex and boring. but, with gut strings, or low tension such as tempera, it's common to want a heavier tailpiece. my experience is that a light one will be problematic, moreso than a heavy one is "Better," if that makes sense. definitely helps to cool down wolf tones, too.
I had my soundpost moved last week to accommodate some gut strings i had tried. I switched back to tempera and noticed they sounded a little better - a touch brighter, and the low end is definitely deeper.
i reached out to tempera, and they confirmed that they suggest a soundpost adjustment - further away (south) from the bridge foot than you would with steel or typical modern strings.
so the sound post in the "gut" position goes for tempera as well it seems. they sounded very good with the post where it was when my bass was originally set up for spirocore, though. but if you're playing these long term, a post adjustment is a good idea.
I just played an orchestra gig with these strings and I love them! I’m happy with my lightweight tailpiece!
I think its fair to say that the Temperas work well with any setup but better with ideal setup which also includes a heavier tailpiece. In my experience I got more low end, more definition after going away from my lighter tailpieces. I have tried it out with different Tempera models on different instruments and always had a similar result...
But I used a lighter tailpiece before for more than a year and was never unhappy either
What I really don't understand is the comparison with Evah Pirazzi strings. Its like comparing a KIA with a Ferrari. Both have 4 wheels but.......
Evahs sound dull from the beginning but after 4-6 months they are completely dead.
But I used a lighter tailpiece before for more than a year and was never unhappy either
What I really don't understand is the comparison with Evah Pirazzi strings. Its like comparing a KIA with a Ferrari. Both have 4 wheels but.......
Evahs sound dull from the beginning but after 4-6 months they are completely dead.
Temperas are great strings
I found the Evahs quite stiff and they really don't last very long before dulling. Yet they seem to be everywhere.
Curious as whether to get rid of the adjustable bridge as recommended.
I'd like to get the genssler tailpiece, however I don't know how different it is weight wise from what is on my shen willow. An ebony hill style. Anyone know how heavy it might be? I'm not taking it off unless it is to replace it.
I found the Evahs quite stiff and they really don't last very long before dulling. Yet they seem to be everywhere.
Curious as whether to get rid of the adjustable bridge as recommended.
I'd like to get the genssler tailpiece, however I don't know how different it is weight wise from what is on my shen willow. An ebony hill style. Anyone know how heavy it might be? I'm not taking it off unless it is to replace it.
Temperas are great strings
I found the Evahs quite stiff and they really don't last very long before dulling. Yet they seem to be everywhere.
Yes, Temperas are very good strings. I have (and paid for!) two sets of them; however, neither set is currently mounted.
NO string is ideal for every player on every bass. Each of us has a sound in our head that we want to achieve; some play in orchestras, some in concert bands, some pizz-only, and some like a "soloistic" sound. Furthermore, basses vary widely in the optimal amounts of tension and pressure on the top.
My "orchestra bass" came with Evah Pirazzi weich. They were good strings for that bass, but I got the bug and put on Temperas. I liked them a lot. One night, Misha Krutz came for dinner, and we played a little. He'd never seen/heard Temperas. His comment was "It seems they are missing something in the sound." I was surprised.
A few weeks later, his comment had stuck in my head, and I put the EPs back on. More volume, and a pretty-nice sound. Playing crisply and cleanly in the orchestra became easier. Granted, I am nowhere near good enough to extract full potential from ANY strings, but there is no doubt that the EPs worked better for ME. (Since then, I've settled on Original Flat Chromes with Spiro weich E.)
I ordered a slightly used set here on the classifieds, they arrive today- can’t freakin wait!! Reading these comments is stoking the fire, I really liked evah weich but also thought they were too dark and wanted less tension.
Totally. I love Temperas and also have two sets, neither mounted. Although I love the feel of Temperas my 5 string likes more tension. Flex Deluxes sound better on it.
One more testimonial: I had to play part of a concert with drums and horns ampless a few weeks ago. I tried to keep with the less is more concept with the hybrids and let the bass do the work. A student in the audience said the bass was clearly audible and sounded good. I'm very happy with them. I just have to keep reminding myself not to force the strings and let the instrument vibrate.
I would think the ebony tailpiece is around 225-275 grams. I think the genssler one is about 400g.
I’ve had my tempera Hybrids on for a week, played 3 gigs, a “rehearsal”, and had a chance to shed a bit on them.
The Good: left hand tension, tone, can put the strings a bit higher for acoustic playing, good clarity like steel string, better/easier harmonics than evah, notes are even all around the bass. The annoying upper mid of spiro is gone, nice D string- (been struggling with this string, either too thuddy-evah, perp stark or no fundamental and buzzes-spiro)
The Bad: chasing buzzes, rattles. The afterlength of the E sings, either an open seam or cleat is giving some buzz- not the strings fault but.., not as much low end acoustically than evah,
Overall: I like these strings a lot, and have taken some getting used to. More clear than evah, more pleasing tone than spiro weichs, a happy medium in between my 2 favs so far (evah w and spiro M or W 3/4). Not to say these are the end all string- the power of evah w is still alluring, a spiro E still tempts me, but Iam going to keep ‘em on and not flip them.
The Good: left hand tension, tone, can put the strings a bit higher for acoustic playing, good clarity like steel string, better/easier harmonics than evah, notes are even all around the bass. The annoying upper mid of spiro is gone, nice D string- (been struggling with this string, either too thuddy-evah, perp stark or no fundamental and buzzes-spiro)
The Bad: chasing buzzes, rattles. The afterlength of the E sings, either an open seam or cleat is giving some buzz- not the strings fault but.., not as much low end acoustically than evah,
Overall: I like these strings a lot, and have taken some getting used to. More clear than evah, more pleasing tone than spiro weichs, a happy medium in between my 2 favs so far (evah w and spiro M or W 3/4). Not to say these are the end all string- the power of evah w is still alluring, a spiro E still tempts me, but Iam going to keep ‘em on and not flip them.
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Not sure if the Tempera string through the tailpiece the same as the Sonores Helix, I put Helix on my bass and ended up with a buzz from the tailpiece wire where it enters into the bottom of the tailpiece.
As I mentioned earlier, I had a situation recently where I had to play acoustically in a band with horns and drums. My student in the crowd told me the bass sounded great- audible and clear. The trick is to not force these strings but play cleanly and let the instrument vibrate. Beyond a certain point they start to choke and you lose the clarity. Using these strings has helped me to play lighter and more focused on tone which I believe is a good thing.
I forgot to mention that this gig was pretty much all swing and standards- type material in a concert setting- some charts, some faking. I was comfortable with the strings for all of it.
I play jazz 95% of the time and use these strings. Sound great, feel great.
This is why I wonder how they would handle slap because I absolutely don’t finesse the strings at all when I play slap. Would the sound choke out with a quick double slap or triplet against the fingerboard?
My first thought is that they're not cheap and slapping would beat them up pretty quickly. In addition, the real slappers that I know of pull the strings a lot more as a part of their technique which goes against the concept of playing lightly IMO. I don't believe they are designed to be forced so I'd say they probably wouldn't work well for slap.