Spirocore Starks

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Eddue Johnson

You bring up a few points I haven't thought of. If I was playing in an orchestra there would probably be more reasons why it wouldn't work than why it would. I may find out it will be too much work once the bass is set up and tuned, I will know a little more this week when it's all done. It is the thick carved top that I think it can handle the Starks. Whether I can handle them may be a different story! This bass sounds good with most strings I have tried but always seems to be capable of a bigger and better sound. With the other factors involved, 4/4 string on a 3/4 scale bass, tuned down a whole step and as of yet unknown string height, I can't be sure of the actual tension to the top of the bass or the effort required of the left hand.

And even if all that works for me, there's still the issue of bowing Starks. If it can be done on this bass, and can I do it?

Too much thinking. Time would be better spent on practicing. I put a string on the bass and leave it there unless it's not working. When the strings are shot, I get the same again or try something else maybe. Sometimes I go back to the original set. I don't make a life out of it, just what it takes. Want heavy strings to bow on at Orchestra Pitch? Get Orig. Flex or 92s Stark. They will be easier to Bow than Spiros but still give you a workout. Need a bigger workout? Try push-ups and Sit-ups..

[Eddue Johnson]

All points well taken.

I just happen to come across a great deal on new Starks and thought it would be worth a try, since I wasn't happy with previous strings used. I was hoping to get some insight on bowing heavy gauge that might help during setup, like string height and spacing at the nut and bridge, changing the arch of the bridge, soundpost placement and if any adjustments should be considered with the bigger string relating to bowing.

[Eddue Johnson]

Just finished putting on the Spiro Starks. I just did my usual setup for a jazz bass, after prepping the nut and bridge for the larger strings. Things came together better than i expected. Right away I was happy with the sound and feel, very easy to play everywhere on the fingerboard and plenty of volume. Playing outside on my deck I could hear every note clearly and the sound seemed to carry well but I can never tell how loud my bass is while I am playing. I have always like the sound of Spiros on a jazz bass but don't want to have too much of the buzzing, (mwah) sound that I hear too often. Now I have that Spiro jazz vibe with just the right amount of mwah. If I just wanted a jazz bass, this might be it.

But how well will it work for arco? I was tempted to try it but keep my bow at a distance. I spent a couple of hours just playing jazz pizzicato. Scales, appregios, walking bass lines, Can't believe how well this bass plays, just hope it stays this way. I just wanted to take some time to enjoy things as they are for now.

Tomorrow I will try the bow.


P.S. Ken Smith

I appreciate your input today and the benefit of your knowledge and experience. So far the Starks seem very easy for me to play. Maybe because I played the Dominants so long or the jazz setup with lower string height but I find these strings as comfortable as the Dominants. I have adjusters in the bridge so I will let you know If I feel the same way when I set it up for arco playing. Maybe then I will feel differently about things but right now things seem to be working out.

But it's just the beginning...


Eddue

[Thomas Erickson]

Spiro starks are interesting strings, IMO. Like the other spiros I don't think that in and of themselves they're *hard* to bow, but they don't bow like other strings do. Of course a lot depends on the bass; if the setup is bad they're going to be murder to play so there'd be no point, and I think the combination of tension and stiffness probably just chokes the life out of many instruments (or threatens to break them in half). Pretty hard to go wrong with the stark E though - it's a beast and seems to work well with many other strings. For a while I used a stark E with the medium A, and superflexible D/G and that made for a nice all-around combo.

So I guess it'd be the odd bass, in general, that I'd put starks on for regular use - but if I found a bass that responded well to them and had a good enough setup that I could live with them, I think that bass would likely work well in just about any musical situation out there... My $.02...

[Eddue Johnson]

Originally Posted by Thomas Erickson

Spiro starks are interesting strings, IMO. Like the other spiros I don't think that in and of themselves they're *hard* to bow, but they don't bow like other strings do. Of course a lot depends on the bass; if the setup is bad they're going to be murder to play so there'd be no point, and I think the combination of tension and stiffness probably just chokes the life out of many instruments (or threatens to break them in half). Pretty hard to go wrong with the stark E though - it's a beast and seems to work well with many other strings. For a while I used a stark E with the medium A, and superflexible D/G and that made for a nice all-around combo.

So I guess it'd be the odd bass, in general, that I'd put starks on for regular use - but if I found a bass that responded well to them and had a good enough setup that I could live with them, I think that bass would likely work well in just about any musical situation out there... My $.02...

I always thought the qualities of Spiros that made them a great jazz string had an effect on how they respond to a bow. I have had more success bowing other strings than Spirocores, but I know there is always the possibility for a good arco sound with the right bass and bassist. My arco skills are limited but there seems to be a different touch needed for Spiros. And since this is my first attempt to bow heavy gauge strings I know I could have made an easier choice but wanted to pizz sound and feel of the heavy Spiros.

I did try arco on the Starks and even though my bridge was still lowered the sound was good enough to see the potential of the string if I improve my bow technique. I had the option to put on Bel Cantos and always got a nice tone with them but they seemed to make me sound better than I really am, like it was more of the string than me that I heard. The Starks are less forgiving of my flaws, which is a good thing. I can tell when I am not doing something right, in a big way. Overall, I like most of what I am hearing, pizz and arco with the bridge set low. I will try raising it up soon but want to gradually get used to things.

Thomas-

How do you see the Spiros being different than other string under the bow?

[Thomas Erickson]

How do you see the Spiros being different than other string under the bow?

I typically find that when I bow spirocores, I get out what I put in, if that makes sense. It isn't really that they're difficult to bow, or that they take any particular technique; it's just that they take a little more focus. The benefit, IMO, is that on a decent bass, you really get a big palette of tone and dynamics to work with whereas other strings tend to bring their own sound and response to the party - and that can be good or bad depending on what you're playing and where you're playing it.

[Eddue Johnson]

I think I know what you are saying but not sure how it applies to Spirocores rather than other strings.

When you say focus, do you mean you have to mentally think of what you are trying to do and how to do it or do you mean it's all about placing the bow in the right spot on the string?

[Eddue Johnson]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Too much thinking. Time would be better spent on practicing. I put a string on the bass and leave it there unless it's not working. When the strings are shot, I get the same again or try something else maybe. Sometimes I go back to the original set. I don't make a life out of it, just what it takes.

This post proved to exactly what I needed to do. After re-reading it, I think it might be just the right response to 90% of the questions asked on this and other bass forums. I think it also applies to pickups, amps, bows and most other types of equipment, just use them until they don't work for you. I still think there are differences in the way that orchestra bassists and jazz bassists play their instruments but need to spend more time practicing than thinking about it!

Thanks again Ken

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Eddue Johnson

This post proved to exactly what I needed to do. After re-reading it, I think it might be just the right response to 90% of the questions asked on this and other bass forums. I think it also applies to pickups, amps, bows and most other types of equipment, just use them until they don't work for you. I still think there are differences in the way that orchestra bassists and jazz bassists play their instruments but need to spend more time practicing than thinking about it!

Thanks again Ken

On the same bass, two good players will disagree on what strings sound good. Same with food and taste. What I like and how, you may not.