sbasstraveller

Thanks for all your responses, much appreciated! Have now ordered them and will give some feedback later. Looking forward to a more 'gut' feel.. I have also tried Presto light gauge.. also great for pizz but terrible under the bow Some time ago I bought a second hand Eminence bass, you know the one with the abbreviated body, and it had black Innovation Rockabilly strings on it.. They were fantastic and so easy to play, I was almost shocked.. but arco was dire, unfortunately. Have since sold the bass.. found it sounded too 'boxy'.. could never get a rich sound out of it. All the best you guys and thanks again Geof Harris

Thanks for this input guys.. I've recently had an operation on the root of my left thumb and finding my Thomastik Spirocores hard work, and in any case they are a bit harsh sounding under the bow. Somebody recommended Evah Weichs and I'm looking for validations. The builder of my bass swears by Pirastro Flexocors, but he is strictly classical. I play mostly jazz but I like to have a good arco sound too. I have Obligatos on my NS WAV and they are fantastically easy to play, hence this led me to the Pirazzi's. The other obvious question is: Light (Weich) or Medium gauge? Comments welcome Thanks

Suggestion to the Aministrators of BassChat: have a 'Like/Dislike' button - would add an interesting dimension giving members a simple opportunity of voting on a subject.. Or if FB have a patent on it (being American, I wouldn't put it past them..), an 'Agree/Disagree'

Yes, slapping is a curse, like the vuvuzela at the SA World Cup.. deafened the beautiful singing of the ethnic African. What a waste. I suggest two different shows: one for slappers, and one for musicians whose love is for music, not just ego. Bass on YouTube is just as bad: not a lot to do with the important function of bass and in creating beautiful harmony as you go along, just ego. I knocked teaching on the head because slapping became the main proccupation. Must be hundreds of guys out there who would be more than willing to take over - they're welcome! Sometimes some of the most simple basslines are the most challenging and the hardest to carry off! A single note standing on its own is very exposed and can reveal much expression. Why is this still such a mystery? Agree with Hiram Hackenbacker: the gent in the cap (name withheld) at Rotosound was a valid circus act, but not a lot to do with music - he should pay more attention to his left hand.. It's the left hand that does the harmony. Yah well, you can stand next to a jackhammer in the street only for so long.. Highlight of the show for me was meeting the ever courteous and charming Stuart Spector: the earliest collaborator of bass guitar design with the clever and pragmatic Ned Steinberger. Found his bass the easiest to play and eagerly look forward to adding one to my (small) collection one day.. Also on Show, the 'Innovation' double bass strings are serious and fantastic to play with, soft touch inviting new creativity on an otherwise and not always friendly instrument. As a last word: "Put the 'music' back in the bass"..

I've just bought a second hand Eminence DB, had INOVATION black RockaBilly strings fitted - previously unknown to me: was knocked out by them and pleased to find INNOVATION represented at the Bass Show: 3 different sets I have now tried. All deliver and extremely comfortable to play. Crispy sizzling bowing response as well. Steel strings were starting to p** me off: so happy now! Way to go....!