Double Bass That Spirocore G sound that nobody likes... what is it, actually?

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Anyone who has ever played a new set of spiros will immediately know the sound I mean. On the G string, somewhere up between the D and the 8ve G. It's kind of a whiny, nasal, metallic "boing-y" kind of thing that happens until the string gets played in for a year or two. What, physically/technically/structurally, is that sound? What makes it happen? What produces that sonic phenomena?

Currently have a set of 3885 Spiros on the travel bass, and the whole thing sounds beautiful, but the G is doing that spiro thing in the D-Eb-E range, and a little bit still on the F. I keep telling myself that if I just play it enough (I'm doing my calibration thing on it for 40 minutes a day), it will eventually chill out. On the other hand, dry as my skin is, maybe my best bet is to loan the bass out to acidic skinned players for a while and hope they can kill it a little bit? I don't know. Of course I'll just keep playing it until it chills, but it has me wondering what makes these strings do that thing?

 

[Don Kasper]

I've found this to be the best solution to the "Spiro G - Whiny/Nasal/Wimpy/Spineless Syndrome."
(I use an Evah P Weich in its place.)
You are not alone.

 

[rickwolff]

Or an Obligato.

There is a good reason why Upton offers this blended set:

Gary's Blended Double Bass String Set, Upright Bass Strings

 

[Don Hergert]

I still really enjoy reading stuff like this because I know how well loved Spiros are, and I really like their playable life... But I'm afraid I've taken Spiros off of my string bucket list. I'm still liking less metallic tone from my strings, and I'm in a mode where I like thicker strings all around. My next string purchases will probably be gut DG very likely with a synthetic EA.

Chris, do you un-mount your neck on your "travel bass"? If so, that will probably release -- and refresh -- your Spiros, as they've been reported to experience that; meaning the G may never get "broken in".

Btw, in my expereince, arco "breaks in" a string a lot faster than pizz. Anyone else see that happening?

 

[birgebass]

I'm on a relatively new set of Spiros 3885s. I just swapped the E for my older "heavy" gauge Spiro. I agree with you, Chris, the G is still weird in that range. I am interested in trying a "heavy" gauge G at some point.

 

[unbrokenchain]

First time I got a set of spiros it was from a local player who bought them new and took them off in favor of some used ones. They take a long time to sound good (to me). Best I can tell it's either the metal slowly stretching and gaining some "memory" of vibration, or that the grease from my fingers and rosin fills in the tiny gaps between the windings and mutes some of the extra stuff.

...do you un-mount your neck on your "travel bass"? If so, that will probably release -- and refresh -- your Spiros, as they've been reported to experience that; meaning the G may never get "broken in".

Btw, in my expereince, arco "breaks in" a string a lot faster than pizz. Anyone else see that happening?

My 3885s are dead enough that I can reassemble my removable-neck bass and it sounds right again in 3-4 hours, but the brightness comes back at first here. And I agree with you about the bow, whether it's that the string spends more time vibrating or if it's the rosin filling the gaps I don't know. I've wondered if applying something like walnut oil would have an effect similar to a greasy person playing the strings for a while.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Thanks gents. I see a lot of people mixing the D&G from another set with spiro A and E. That seems a little strange to me, if only because I've never had the same sort of problem with the D. And the truth is, I've been so happy with the dominants for so long that I had kind of forgotten about this whole issue. I think I may have actually wiped spiros with oil before to get them to chill. The other night I wiped some chap stick on that part of the string and rubbed it in. It subsided for a minute, then came right back.

OK, then, onward. No harm in trying alternatives.
- Obligatos are out: not enough tension, sound great at home and don't cut on the gig. Twice bitten, thrice shy.
- EP : Weich or regular with the 3885 bottom strings? @Sam Dingle says medium, Don says weich.
Other things to try before I call the string store and star making it rain?

 

[Sam Dingle]

Thanks gents. I see a lot of people mixing the D&G from another set with spiro A and E. That seems a little strange to me, if only because I've never had the same sort of problem with the D. And the truth is, I've been so happy with the dominants for so long that I had kind of forgotten about this whole issue. I think I may have actually wiped spiros with oil before to get them to chill. The other night I wiped some chap stick on that part of the string and rubbed it in. It subsided for a minute, then came right back.

OK, then, onward. No harm in trying alternatives.
- Obligatos are out: not enough tension, sound great at home and don't cut on the gig. Twice bitten, thrice shy.
- EP : Weich or regular with the 3885 bottom strings? @Sam Dingle says medium, Don says weich.
Other things to try before I call the string store and star making it rain?

These are for the 3/4 bottoms? The Evah weich will be too light. I don’t suggest mixing any evahs with spiros or Zyex with spiros.

I will say you should work on killing them and leave it be. It’s gonan be annoying for a while but after 6 months to a year you’ll be happy with it. Make one of your more oily handed students play that bass, or send them to me and I’ll kill them in 6 months and send them back.

 

[Sam Dingle]

If you wanna mix anything use superflexible but give them a month or 2 to calm down too

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

The main thing I’m looking for in a G is tension and pop but without the whine. Basically a Dominant, but one that won’t break when you put it on after removing it. Oy.

 

[Sam Dingle]

The main thing I’m looking for in a G is tension and pop but without the whine. Basically a Dominant, but one that won’t break when you put it on after removing it. Oy.

I wasn’t a fan of the Zyex and Spiro mix on my bass but maybe just the G will do well. The G really pops and you may like it.

Try a Zyex medium. Knowing youre string thoughts, you won’t like the Evah cuz it dies too quickly. Zyex and superflexible are my choices. Superflexible come in 3/4 and 4/4 I think so decided on that

 

[Sam Dingle]

The other option is maybe a string like Flexocore deluxe

 

[Jon Mush]

I had an Evah Weich G on my Chadwick for a while with the 3885W. It seemed to fit nicely. However, I thought the Evah was a bit lame, one dimensional, and lifeless. Obviously, a lot of you cats are rolling with a much superior bass than I. I will say it seemed to agree with life on a travel bass too. It didn’t really show any signs of wear after repeated cycles of on/off.

I did have a brief go with Zyex Med as well, and liked them a lot with the Spiros. They had the life, the response and feel, without the Spiro G issues. Unfortunately, they would usually break inside a week. I’ve tried at least four times. I usually can’t wait to ditch the Spiro tops and get some other kind of G and (maybe D string) on, but I’m trying to hold out.

After years of use, my fav all around set we’re destroyed 3885W, the full set. I’m trying an S42 Med E over S42 W now, and I wish I would’ve just gotten new 3385 again. It’s the wait that is so hard.

 

[logdrum]

Maybe the FB need replaning. That what my San Diego luthier did did to my bass. Initially it was buzzing on the A when I play F, but whatever he did improved the G which had weichs

 

[Adam Booker]

fff longtones at the bridge with tons of rosin for about 30 minutes, 4 times a day will clear that up. Bonus, it will clear the house of all unnecessary personnel as well, leaving you alone to continue practicing.

 

[Earl]

Maybe the FB need replaning. That what my San Diego luthier did did to my bass. Initially it was buzzing on the A when I play F, but whatever he did improved the G which had weichs

I would agree with this. That sound on the G around D/Eb/E/F can be from not enough scoop in the board under the G. I had that sound on my Chadwick when I first got it and had my luthier increase it a bit and it made a world of difference.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

fff longtones at the bridge with tons of rosin for about 30 minutes, 4 times a day will clear that up. Bonus, it will clear the house of all unnecessary personnel as well, leaving you alone to continue practicing.

LOL. And cats, too. My god, the little critters give me the most hateful looks over their shoulders as they leave the room when I bow.

 

[Sam Dingle]

LOL. And cats, too. My god, the little critters give me the most hateful looks over their shoulders as they leave the room when I bow.

That may be your best option though. I think you’ll be happier with dead spiros down the line than with changing strings every year or so (like with evahs or Zyex)

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

That may be your best option though. I think you’ll be happier with dead spiros down the line than with changing strings every year or so (like with evahs or Zyex)

True. The cats already hate me a certain percentage of the time because cats. My poor wife, though!

 

[Sean Riddle]

Yeah I would stick with them. I've seriously grown to love the Weich S42 G string on my bass after a few months and have no complaints about pizz or arco. Also what helped out a bit was to raise the action up just a tad which helped lessen the brightness of the G string and give it some more punch. After a little over a year my Weich G still sustains a bit but has a ton of punch and really sings under the bow.