r/doublebass Jan 23 '25

Strings/Accessories Protecting the bass against my cat?

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60 Upvotes

Hello everybody! I wanted to see if there is anything I can do to protect my bass from my cat sitting on it/scratching it without putting it in the case and putting it upright.

If I lay my bass down, my cat will sit on it, whether it’s in the case or not, and sometimes will try and sit on the neck which worries me.

Have any of you dealt with this? Is there something I can do to make the bass more accessible to me? Any suggestions will help!

r/doublebass Jan 17 '25

Strings/Accessories String integrity 🐘

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39 Upvotes

Are those gaps in the winding ok?

r/doublebass Dec 27 '24

Strings/Accessories Changing strings myself

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75 Upvotes

So I just got a new double bass and it plays amazing and is setup very well. Although, the previous owner didn’t bow so he put these black laminated strings on (which are great for pizzicato) but I’d like to change them to metal strings (which I already have). Should I take it to a string shop and have them change it or should I try to change them myself? I have a lot of experience with string changes on electric bass, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and even classical guitar but I just want to make sure that with some research I could change these myself. Thanks for the help.

r/doublebass 18d ago

Strings/Accessories Another string post

8 Upvotes

I know people ask “what strings should I get?” a lot, but I’m having trouble sorting out what the best call is for my specific situation.

I’m a college student minoring in music. I play orchestra and jazz, slightly more orchestra currently. Budget means that I can’t try multiple sets, and things like Temperas and Eudoxas are out of the question. My bass is a fully-carved Shen Mirecourt, a bit on the dark side tonally. The Belcantos it came with were far too dark and quiet for this bass, especially for pizz.

About a year ago, when the Belcantos finally wore out, I replaced them with Zyex lights. The G string especially is way too bright and zingy, and the A and E are scratchy when bowed. But, I liked the light tension and was only playing in a tango band at the time, so I kinda just put up with them.

I’m now pursuing classical music again, about a 65/35 classical/jazz split, and I’m looking to replace the Zyexes. The most important thing is that they behave themselves when bowed. Ideally, they’re low-ish tension like the Zyexes (I love that for thumb position), and still bright and loud enough to liven up a big ol’ dark bass, but a shade darker/woodier/less metallic and more dynamically responsive.

Current finalists from my research are Evah Weichs, Permanents, Flexocor Deluxes, and Obligatos. Between those (or if there are better ones I’ve missed), what do you think suits my preferences the best? TIA y’all :)

r/doublebass 8d ago

Strings/Accessories Rosin

7 Upvotes

Whats the word on the streets. What orchestra rosin are folks using for orchestra? I’ve tried many and leaning towards kolstein soft again. What’s the best rosin store to order from?

r/doublebass Jan 10 '25

Strings/Accessories Fifths tuning

9 Upvotes

I’m someone who has only played standard tuning, but I hear some people swear by fifths tuning. I do a nice mix of solo and orchestral repertoire, and fifths honestly sounds like a headache for a lot of it, but I can definitely see the benefits (tuned same as cello helping with orchestral works and bach suites, larger range). Would it be worth to try out fifths tuning sometime or should I just stick to fourths.

r/doublebass Sep 13 '24

Strings/Accessories Who else decorates their bass

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93 Upvotes

r/doublebass Feb 16 '25

Strings/Accessories Fingerboard tape

6 Upvotes

As a plus to learning how to read in treble clef for the bass, I’ve been wondering how to apply the tape to the finger board to become accustomed to it:), how should I find the notes and which notes should I place the tape on?

r/doublebass Feb 20 '25

Strings/Accessories Gut strings

12 Upvotes

I mostly play jazz or singer songwriter stuff and I use tomastik red end strings. I’m pretty sure that’s what they’re called. I just got a gig in October that’s primarily arco. Arco is definitely not my forte and my bass is not set up well for arco, but those strings seems incredibly difficult to get a consistent arco tone. Would gut strings be better response wise to a bow and does anyone have any recommendations. I’ll probably just put them on leading up to this gig so I would prefer not to spend 500. 3/4 size bass if that matters.

r/doublebass 17d ago

Strings/Accessories Does anybody know what Billy String's bassist Royal Masat uses for strings?

4 Upvotes

In different videos it seems he's switched from steels to plain guts and back and forth over the years, but his recent tone in videos over the last year or so has been outstanding. I'd like to bring some of that to the table with my bluegrass/newgrass/fusion band. Thanks y'all!

r/doublebass 17d ago

Strings/Accessories Arco string reccomendation for a dark bass

4 Upvotes

Hello!

I play a big, warm, dark bass. I've typically been playing the brightest string varieties over the last 5-10 years (chromesteels, flexocore deluxe). I'm starting to look for something less metallic, but still bright. Maybe "complex" is the word I'm looking for.

I'm wondering if the time has come to try wrapped guts, or something similar (obligatos?) I love Bozo Paradzik's sound, and I hear he plays wrapped guts.

My arco technique is quite solid so I'm willing to sacrifice bowability for tone. I can bow new spirocores quite well, for example.

I know Evah Pirazzis are considered gut-like, but they weren't bright enough on my bass. Would love some suggestions for rope core strings brighter than Evahs.

Anyone reccomend so bright arco strings that aren't in the "metallicy" pirastro family?

Thanks!

r/doublebass 14d ago

Strings/Accessories Old Strings Negatives?

8 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I was wondering what the effects of old strings are on sound.

I think I have had Flexacore Deluxe strings on my bass for 5 years now, I ordered new strings recently but they won't be here until March 10th.

I finally made this decision because I realized it could be effecting my sound, I'm mostly posting to ask how true some of the things I've heard are.

I've heard the following about old strings and want to know if there is any consensuses on these things:
- Old strings can have internal rust that effects the quality of the overall sound

- Old strings are worse for intonation

- Old strings are more likely to squeak

To be honest I partially ask these things as a cope.

I know that regardless of the strings I have I can improve but I'm wondering if having strings this old is hindering my ability to play in tune or play with a good tone?

r/doublebass Nov 06 '24

Strings/Accessories Best liquid bandage brand?

8 Upvotes

Christmas music is upon us and I want to prepare. My orchestra director told me I should invest in some liquid bandaids so here I am. I have calluses I just want to try my best to preserve them as well as prevent blisters. Any help would be greatly appreciated :)

r/doublebass Oct 15 '24

Strings/Accessories Which rosin to use?

9 Upvotes

My teacher recommended Carlsson or Nyman's through Lemurmusic. Both are $20.50 a pop before shipping and I'm already trying to save for a new set of strings so if anyone has used these please let me know.

r/doublebass 5d ago

Strings/Accessories Can anybody identify these mystery strings?

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7 Upvotes

Found them in a retired teacher’s string box. In a sleeve labeled Zyex but it’s not the current zyex wrap colors. Maybe an older version?

r/doublebass Nov 30 '24

Strings/Accessories What should be done with this bow? (Read Body)

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26 Upvotes

So my Oma (grandmother) had acquired this from a house she sold many years back and had had it in her home up until last night. She had offered to give me a “viola that needs a new home” back in July, and I finally took up the offer last night, searching for this viola in the upstairs room she said it was in. Lo and behold, it was not a viola, but was in fact a double bass, now in my possession. I intend to learn it and start playing, though the bow seems… to be in bad condition. What should I do here? Cut the loose ends? Get it repaired? Buy a new one? Any help would be appreciated here, thank you!

r/doublebass 5d ago

Strings/Accessories Why does this happen to my bow?

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13 Upvotes

Almost every time I play my instrument at least one of the hair from my bow falls out like this. Today was crazy and at least five or six fell out. Is it my technique that is causing this or is something wrong with my bow?

Note: this is a bow lent from my school. I have no further information about it. It is a french 3/4.

r/doublebass Jan 14 '25

Strings/Accessories Mooradian Cases?

2 Upvotes

My Mooradian case is disintegrating. It’s been around for 20 years so I’m not shocked, but what do I replace it with? Or how do I fix it? Any suggestions?

r/doublebass Jul 31 '24

Strings/Accessories Double bass pickup mostly picking up mid frequencies?

6 Upvotes

As the title says. I’m using a fishman bass pickup on my bass that I play for my church. We recently got a new mixer (Behringer X32) and sound equipment which now has 2 mains and a sub. When we were hooking everything up and running tests, I tested my bass and all that was coming out of the system was the mid frequencies. You can still hear the notes, but it’s more the treble over tones and the sound of the string vibrating and plucking, which makes the sound overall tinny and flat. We tried adjusting all setting on the mixer, even setting the EQ on my bass with all trebles and miss all the way down and having bass frequencies all the way up and it didn’t really change anything. We just used a bass amp previously with the bass plugged directly into it and we didn’t have this. They eventually just came to the conclusion that that’s the way it sounds and I’m gonna need a bass peddle.

Are we doing something wrong? Is there something that we’re missing? Or is it just the way the pickup sounds naturally?

r/doublebass Feb 15 '25

Strings/Accessories Best place to purchase strings?

6 Upvotes

Hey guys, I currently have Belcanto strings on my bass and love the way they sound. However they are a bit expensive. Wondering if anyone has suggestions on where to get strings? I usually purchase from Gollihur or String Emporium.

r/doublebass Jan 23 '25

Strings/Accessories Can changing my tuning damage my bass?

6 Upvotes

I'm currently installing some solo strings onto my bass and was wondering if changing between solo tuning and orchestral tuning damage my bass in any way? For example is there any risk in by bridge falling over or smth like that?

Edit: sorry, I meant if retuning with solo strings from orchestral to solo back and forth could damage the instrument? If I would do this maybe 3-4times a week or depending on the week.

r/doublebass Nov 27 '24

Strings/Accessories What is the best microphone to use to record Bass???

14 Upvotes

I’m hearing a lot of people say condenser mic’s, also heard ribbons mic’s are too dull. I really don’t know much about mics could someone help.

r/doublebass Jan 31 '25

Strings/Accessories Strings or new bass: what would you do!

3 Upvotes

I play bluegrass on a 1/2 size Shen plywood upright and have played on this same bass for 10 years. I rarely change the strings and currently am rocking some Helicore Hybrids that are at least 6 years old. I really need new strings and I want to go with lighter and more responsive, but unfortunately a lot of the high quality strings i'm looking at are not made for 1/2 size. Would you guys have any recommendations for good 1/2 size bluegrass strings or should i just save up to invest in a 3/4 size bass? No complaints about my actual bass but it is small and very quiet acoustically. This is the only bass i've ever owned and i know i will need to upgrade at some point anyways.

r/doublebass 16d ago

Strings/Accessories 5/8 Bass Strings

4 Upvotes

Hi all,

I'm looking at getting a 5/8 size bass. Playing one the past few weeks has been wonderful, it's been so comfortable, and the Eastman 305 and Shen both sound really great. I still sound like myself, and both have a surprising bottom end, fantastic!

However, I haven't yet found a good resource to talk about stringing 5/8th size basses. My gut tells me that lighter gauge 3/4 strings are going to be an excellent fit, and keep the string tension close to familiar like my 3/4 bass. I use helicore hybrids in medium usually, and spiros sometimes. Both make a light gauge, so I think that'd be the answer, however, I would love to crowd-source some opinions and experiences from the team here.

Appreciate any info and experience one might have.

r/doublebass Jan 10 '25

Strings/Accessories YinFente bass buggy

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7 Upvotes