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#1
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solo for less tension
I have a bass with a short string length and have decided to put on solo strings, tune to regular pitch for less tension. Ideally I'd like a string that would work with both pizz and arco.
Your thoughts appreciated. |
#2
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What is the string length of this instrument?
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#3
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so low
40.5 inches.
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#4
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solo?
Martin, will you be tuning Solo up a whole step or just need light tensioned strings?
If not Solo tuning, try the Evah Weichs. I have them on my 'big boy' now and they play like butter. Great for Orchestra and smokin' for jazz. At least that's how they work on my bass. |
#5
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Martin, I used Compas 180 Suites tuned down for the last 6 months or so and enjoyed them although they are pretty floppy for arco playing, you really have to lighten up on them or they crap out easily, at least with my lowish string height. They were a lot of fun and sounded nice for jazz pizz. I'm looking forward to trying the Evah Weichs, too.
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#6
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Quote:
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#7
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regular
Quote:
Also, I'm going to take the bass back to the states and put it up for sale so I'm looking for a good hybrid. Those Evah's sound like they might be the ticket. I have Spirocore Weich's on the bass now which is normally my string of choice, but they have too much tension at this string length. It seemed like a good idea at the time and I had a lot of small people (aka women) looking at basses then who needed a shorter string length. I had played on a lot of short string basses and maybe I was playing more hours then, but I never realized that the tension would seem so much greater. |
#8
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Martin, since you originally posted this in the Evah thread, I thought I should say that a solo version of them are under development. Thomas Martin had a prototype on an old Italian bass when I met him on a course last week. He wasn't quite as satisfied as he was with the orchestrals, but maybe they'll work that out before they are pur into large scale production.
Last edited by Joel Larsson; 03-31-2009 at 11:13 AM. |
#9
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short string length?
Martin, 40.5" is a small 3/4 in my book. Many old Italian basses are in that range as well but I wouldn't consider this a 'short' string length. It's just that they also made longer ones over the years as well. From a 41" length, it's only 1/4" less to the first octave. My Candi is about that length now. Currently is has that same exact set of Evah Weichs that I had on my Big Gamba last March, the Mougenot a few months later and now on the Candi Bass.
One thing I can say is that they 'travel' well. 'Off this bass' and 'on that bass' with no problems. Pretty durable for a synthetic core or even a regular steel cable core for that matter. On the Candi they feel just fine. The other basses were in the 42" - 42.5" range and did just as well there. |
#10
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Yes, I know I'm resurrecting an old thread, but I think it needs to be emphsized that string tension for a given pitch varies as to the square of the scale length, not linearly. I also have a short scale length for a 3/4 to accommodate my short pinky and slightly curved in index. A set of Spiro Weich S42's have significantly less tension on this short of a scale, and on my bass are not only very comfortable, but sing really, really well, in spite of it being a CCB.
More can be done for playability by having the proper setup on nut, fingerboard scoop, bridge, tailpiece and sound post than by simply lowering string tension. If you can't do it yourself, go to a reputable luthier, discuss your playing, and get a recommendation and setup. I think with a proper setup you'll get better overall results with a conventional set of strings instead of trying to tune down a solo set on such a short scale. |
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