Gut vs Steel

[dudi8]

how are gut strings compared to steel? for jazz (except the price

[Clarky]

Best bet is to listen to Youtube clips or this fabulous string comparing matrix http://www.hervejeanne.de/saitenmatrix.php

In short, steels have more definition, growl and sustain and take lower action - guts have a warmer, thumpier more old-school quality and generally are very low tension (requiring higher action). Guts also tend to go out of tune (especially if humidity or temperature changes) and require more care/attention (oiling, clipping off hairs that form with repeated playing). There are huge advocates of each.

Velvet strings are a sort of half-way house (copper wound, dark-sounding, low tension) and there are several good brands of gut-alike hybrid strings (eg, Innovation) which have many of the qualities of gut but are easier to maintain

[dudi8]

Thanks!!!

[spencer.b]

I love the sound of guts for jazz and I think it's a shame they've died out a bit. The majority of the classic recordings of the 50s and early 60s are on guts , Paul Chambers , Sam Jones Oscar Pettiford etc . They're a really expensive and it took me a long time to find the right brand and gauge but I love em.

[ubassman]

You can of course try some Innovations yourself here http://basschat.co.uk/forum/78-innovation-double-bass-strings/

Daf is what is known as a 'top geezer' !

[mtroun]

How long have you been playing? I wouldn't recommend guts for beginners but you may like their sound and feel for jazz. I use steel-wrapped guts (olive) for my top two strings.

[thisnameistaken]

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1393864322' post='2385194']Velvet strings are a sort of half-way house (copper wound, dark-sounding, low tension) and there are several good brands of gut-alike hybrid strings (eg, Innovation) which have many of the qualities of gut but are easier to maintain[/quote]

I don't think Velvet strings really compare with guts at all. They're more like a steel string but darker, like comparing a hi-hat to a big heavy ride cymbal. Velvet Animas are my favourite string so far, they definitely have their own character though and I imagine it's a matter of taste whether they would work for you. They also turn your fingers black when you venture up into areas that you don't usually play that have got an oxide coating forming on them, which is a bit of an arse, and can leave your fingers a bit 'sticky'. Annoying. Maybe with regular cleaning you can stop that building up, but I'm not a regular-cleaning kind of guy.

I really love guts but I don't have a gig that would suit them so I had to take them off - the complete lack of sustain made them too specialist for me. That said, the sound is lovely and warm and the steep decay is a big part of that. And it's so easy to swing with guts, everything swings! If I had room for several uprights I would keep one strung with guts just for the occasional blast through some hot band stuff, they're great fun.

[spencer.b]

gut strings can have a bit of sustain, scott La faro used lightish gauge guts with a low action and he has some sustain
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30lkzeo-GVQ[/media]
so to does Andy Simpkins of the three sounds
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjmQwnuqJQs[/media]
and larry gales
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui01MZOeVHo[/media]
I think these guys would of been using artone or golden spirals neither of which are still made but I think gamuts and pirastro chordas are fairly similar, guts can have a coarseness to them with this set up which I really like.
If your just starting out I'd only go for guts if your sure thats your sound as it's a lot of messing about and money but it's the sound I hear for myself and I'm getting there with my set up ( big bass with gamuts plain G D wrapped E A and no pick up, well an ehrlund if I have to) That said i've got another bass with spiros and a realist

Edited March 6, 2014 by spencer.b