Double Bass Thomastik Spirocore Solos vs. Thomastik Superflexible Solos vs. Evah Pirazzi Solos

[The Bass Clef]

Bass Clef: when you say "I actually have it tuned to Eb standard" - does that mean you have Eb-Ab-Db-Gb across?
Thanks. I just wasn't clear

That’s correct.

I’ve heard of guitars detuned but not the whole band. Interesting.

A lot of classic rock bands did it like Hendrix, ACDC, Guns n Roses, even BB King used it a lot. The whole band tuned down a semitone can have other advantages too, besides making it easier on the singer (especially after a few nights in a row)... If you have horns, much of their stuff is in the flat keys, so it allows the guitar and bass to play on the open strings, but sound flat, so the whole band can be in their most comfortable and useable (low octaves) playing positions for their instruments most of the time… Except for the piano players, but oh well for them, haha).

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Piano players in rock band play keyboards/electric pianos that can easily transpose.

The instruments are easier to play when tuned a halftone down because the string tension drops.

I was struggling with a bit high string action (should wait to lower it because the bass was new) and Spiro Mittel 4/4 on a 1-10 cm scale. Then I played with baroque recorders in a lower tuning and needed to tube down nearly a halftone and the bass was so much easier to play. Getting a lighter Spiro was no option to me as I played a 5-string with a high C.
But asking modern tuning wind instrument players to pay a halftone lower was no option, so no Eb tuning for me.

 

[stefaniw80401]

I'm guessing 3885 series solo spiros down tuned to orchestra pitch would be less floppy on the same bass than s42 series solo right?

 

[DoubleMIDI]

I'm guessing 3885 series solo spiros down tuned to orchestra pitch would be less floppy on the same bass than s42 series solo right?

If you tune down the 4/4 solos to orchestra tuning too, then yes.

 

[basss]

Has anyone tried both the 3/4 and 4/4 spiro solos at orchestra tuning for jazz? I'm guessing the 4/4 will be lower tension but how do they compare for sound?

I just switched from superflex solo to spiro 3/4 solo and miss the softer feel of the superflexibles. The spiros sound great though and I could live with the feel, they are certainly not high tension. I'm wondering if the 4/4 spiro solo will keep that sound with a lighter feel.

 

[Jeff Kissell]

I settled on the 3/4 solos, they seem to be the most balanced and are the best combination of tone, tension, articulation and volume for a steel string on my bass. The 4/4s were a little too loose (soft?) and quiet for me.

*edit*
FWIW, I found both sets to be similar in tone. They are definitely darker and softer that the regular Spirocore sets.

 

[basss]

I'm liking the tone and balance of the 3/4s too and they are louder than the 4/4 SF solos. I'm ok giving up a bit of volume as almost all of my gigs are amplified. May need to give the 4/4s a shot.