daflewis

Actually, if anyone can make it to Victoria, (west central London) I'd love to get some feedback on them!...

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1320925436' post='1433164'] You are teasing us! [/quote]

Yes, don't get me wrong, dark sound and higher tension are only an issue if you want to play jazz - it's an integral part of the setup for a good bowed string, and therein lies the problem - the one kind of precludes the other and we get the classic search for the perfect hybrid.... I too have tried the helicores and the evahs - the first stayed on my bass for about 10 mins!... as for the evahs, i know what you mean - there's nothing really wrong with them that you can put your finger on, "underwhelmed" pretty much sums it up.... i think for me it was a mix of the "stretchiness" and the slightly darker sound. It's worth trying the honeys, though a work of caution, they are designed to sound like gut, so they aren't the most growly and sustaining string in my experience - though Beer seems happy with that side of things. I've currently got some prototypes of a new hybrid on my main working bass and have to admit that they're very promising - a bit higher tension, but really responsive under the bow with a lovely thud at the beginning of a pizz note and a brighter sustain (they'll even work with a magnetic pickup) - i actually don't want to take them off, which is a good sign!

Thanks everyone, I think I'm a bit redundant here! Jennifer, I'm curious as to what it is you don't like about any hybrids that you've tried, so i can get an idea of what you're after (and thanks for filling in my questionnaire btw). I notice you mentioned the flexocore pizz sound being too dark (and the tension too high); is that basically the problem? (pretty standard issue for orch strings)... Cheers, Daf

Fair enough! It's so expensive to try out new strings - I've mentioned before that I'm hoping to get an innovation string trial thing going, but it's taking a lot longer than I'd hoped - when I do get it sorted I'll let you know and get you out some sets to try...

Hi Dave, Sorry! only just spotted your reply... I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the Velvets compared to the supers, i wonder if anyone else out there can help us?? Did you want to bow them at all? as most people feel the nylon wound strings are not ideal for that....

Hi Dave, I spoke to Tony at the factory only a few days ago about this and unfortunately they don't have the means to test the tensions, so I have no figures for you I'm afraid. However, I've been involved in a discussion about tensions on double bass chat and it would appear that the stop length has a larger effect on some of the Innovation strings (probably because of the core) than other makes - it seems that for stops longer than about 41.5 inch the tension starts to crank up quite quickly (this also seems more noticeable on the E and A)... What is the stop on your bass?

Well, I did the draw for the first set of strings yesterday and the winner is Michael Glynn from New Mexico - a member over on Talkbass. I'll do another draw in a couple of months - everyone who's already filled in the survey will be re-entered automatically - if you haven't filled it in yet and want a chance to win.... Well, you know the rest! I've had 100 responses so far so just wanted to say a big thankyou once again to everybody! Cheers, Daf

stranded wire is usually recommended because you can see it fraying and have a chance to sort it before it actually snaps.... I had mine changed by a luthier and it wasn't expensive - can't actually remember, but £15 springs to mind....

I have a couple of bassmax, a couple of realists a full circle and a golden bullet mic - and i think the thing i've learnt is that, like strings, it depends a lot on the bass - for example, i've tried the bassmax and the realist on a few different basses and while they both sound great on the right bass, they both sound truly awful on the wrong one! Try and borrow and experiment if at all possible... in fact i might be able to help out there if you want... drop me a pm. Cheers, Daf

[quote]A colleague played bass for 30 years and says he has the bees knees in terms of really sticky rosin (I have some fairly plasticky stuff) so I may well try this again when the "good" rosin comes out![/quote] I wonder - was it Nymans by any chance? - seems pretty much "industry standard" these days! Hi Baboom, the slaps are a bit "reedy" as you say under the bow - and actually, real gut strings can have a similar characteristic, but as the name implies, that wasn't really what they were designed for ! - I've actually been really surprised by what a good pizz sound they have - a little more "air" in the sound and "click" in the attack. i haven't tried them on a gig yet though - I'm still getting used to the feel of the much thicker gauge.

Hi everyone! Sorry i've been a little absent this last month - been on holiday, and since i got back i've had just the craziest few weeks! Anyway I'm back now - and There have been 50 responses to the survey to date (thanks again to all!) so i'm going to do the first draw for a free set of innovation strings in the next few days - so if you'd like a chance to win, (and haven't already done so) just follow the link in my signature and fill in the survey - 50/1 is pretty good odds in the scheme of things! Cheers, Daf

Hi all, Just to clarify; i think what would be useful is if anyone has an old set of flatchromes or other heavy orchestral bruisers, though even a set of spirocores or heavy orchestral helicores might be worth trying.... Cheers, Daf

Very sad; I spoke to Steve today and it is just really bad timing with the economic situation as it is right now.... but he seems ok and is looking on the bright side - more time to work on the double bass he's been trying to build for himself for years!

[quote name='jakesbass' timestamp='1316115757' post='1374860'] I think our very own Daf Lewis is up your way... don't know if he gives lessons but I'm sure he'd be worth a shout. [/quote] Thanks Jake... Hi Henry - I'm in Maulden, about 20mins away from you. Cheers, Daf

i have used a realist on my 5 string double bass (not eub) for 10 years and have always been happy...

I'm with beer on this - certainly looks blockless and 100ish years old. Quite a nice bit of flaming on the back too which would up the value a bit. ballpark estimates IMHO: restoration costs maybe £2000ish (outside central london); value after the works £3500 - £4000... Though I'm happy to be contradicted....

Hi Ficelles, Thank you! the 2 dbs are great - i don't want people to feel it's a chore or they won't want to do it! The NS designs "contemporary", are they the ones that come with the NS EUBs? and sorry - i mentioned silver slaps not super silvers.... I wonder if the supers will smooth off with playing? or maybe if you have any fast fret around you could try a bit of that... Thisnameistaken, i don't know if the coating is the same - but i'll find out...

Hi Ficelles, Interesting comments; I'm doing some some work for Innovation and these comments are of real interest to me - though I've not had anyone else mention roughness in the silver slaps... I wonder, would you mind filling out the survey that I've written? I'd be interested to know any other thoughts you've had about both the Innovation and any other strings that you've used.... (and that, of course goes for anyone else too!) - just click the link in my signature. Thanks! Daf

Thanks Jamie!

Great find!

[quote name='hubrad' post='1370410' date='Sep 12 2011, 01:31 PM']IMHO the only thing that Innovation/Picato lack is brand awareness; I believe Strings and Things, the parent company, are finally having more of a look at this.[/quote] You're absolutely right - after all Picato make Overwater strings for example - so there is no question about the quality! And as you say, it's is something that is being addressed by Strings and Things...

[quote name='jakesbass' post='1370092' date='Sep 12 2011, 08:47 AM']I honestly couldn't think of any... I was trying for constructive criticism but found there wasn't any I could offer...[/quote] Of course, that's always nice to hear too...

Once again thank you to everyone - up to about 30 responses so far and lots of great ideas and info - and please don't be afraid to make negative comments - they can often be the most important ones!