Double Bass Yet another string ID question - Craig Butterfield

togril

togril

Jun 29, 2012
286
222
5,136
Sydney Australia
#1
I know Craig Butterfield used a Spiro E - but was listening to his version of Zappa's 'Peaches en Regalia':



I was trying to work out the other strings. Some say corelli's but I don't think they are at least not the 370m or TX.
So I know the Spiro E, but the others? (I know the A is also different). I liked the clarity of the D+G string for arco at least.
butterfield_Strings.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Francois Blais and Chris Fitzgerald
#6
Permanent on top 3 with Spiro on bottom 2 is a popular combination for a solo tuning set.
This is what Edgar Meyer uses, and Butterfield does a great Edgar impression.
Maybe the Helicore 3rd string bridges the gap tonally between spiros and permanents.
 
  • Like
Reactions: togril
#8
CButterfield said:
The replies are correct- Pirastro Permanents on top, helicore third, spirocore fourth, probably all in solo tuning. I occasionally leave the bottom string in standard tuning- not sure what I was doing here. I also don’t remember exactly why I had a helicore- typically (and currently) I use a spirocore for the bottom two
Click to expand...

Hey Craig, first off, my hat's off to your amazing playing! Really just WOW.

since your here, I wanted to know what is that tailpiece? tunable after lengths? Is that helping with wolf tones?
 
  • Like
Reactions: marcox
#10
Thank you Stuart and Francois,
The tailpiece is the standard that Jim Hamm makes for his basses. Each string does have a tunable afterlength, which is achieved by a small block of ebony that’s just held in place by friction/string pressure. It can help with wolf tones, but I usually just use it as something else I can adjust to tweak the tone/resonance. I usually tune the afterlength to unison with the open string (but up maybe 2 octaves? I forget exactly) as a starting point.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Francois Blais, Michael Drost and Stuart.C
#13
Since you resurrected this thread, Craig, I just like to say I attended the Bradetich summer bass camp when I was 17 in 2002 (I think) and heard your doctoral recital . You played Bach 5th suite ... and I remember some Edgar Meyer (great sea snake?) When I said you do a great Edgar Meyer impression, I meant it. That's the first time I realized someone could actually sound just like Edgar. You were really impressive!
Anyway the transcriptions arrangements and performances you put out on YouTube have been quite impressive as well. Bravo!
 
#14
Stuart.C said:
That is cool. I have experienced the effects of tuning the after lengths, it can really improve the resonance especially arco. But it is pain, adjusting the tailgut, and is one size fits all.
This is really cool.
Thanks
Click to expand...

A couple of years ago I had a conversation with mr Ham regarding his bass. He said he’s left the idea of tunable after lenght, said the length of the tailgut is of far more importance. What you hear when adjusting the after lenght by moving the tailpiece up or down is actually by far caused by changes of the tailgut length.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Povl Carstensen, Francois Blais, Martin Spure and 1 other person
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back