Lighter strings than Spiro Weichs

[petebassist]

I'm using a set of TM Spiro Weichs, which are great, but when I'm playing further up the neck where the vibrating string length is shorter I'm finding the tension still slightly a bit too much. Does anyone have tips on using lighter strings, such as Presto Nylon ultralights or similar. Or should I just butch it out and expect to strengthen my fingers eventually?

Thanks, Pete

[jrixn1]

How about Spiro Solo, tuned down a step to EADG.

[bassace]

Elastic bands?  R Harris Stylophone?

[TheRev]

Presto Nylon Lights have less tension than spiro weich (IME) so the Presto ultralight would definitely be lower.  I'd suggest trying just the light/ultralight G or G and D with your existing Spiros as there is much better definition on the Spiro A and E strings compared to the Presto A and E.

[Owen]

2 hours ago, petebassist said:

I'm using a set of TM Spiro Weichs, which are great, but when I'm playing further up the neck where the vibrating string length is shorter I'm finding the tension still slightly a bit too much. Does anyone have tips on using lighter strings, such as Presto Nylon ultralights or similar. Or should I just butch it out and expect to strengthen my fingers eventually?

Thanks, Pete

Your fingers will strengthen. This is a very good thing.

[pete.young]

I went from Spiro Weichs to Presto Lights to reduce the tension, and it worked well for me. TheRev is right about the E string particularly though, the E on the Presto's isn't great and I'm thinking about putting the Spiro one back on.

[petebassist]

19 minutes ago, pete.young said:

I went from Spiro Weichs to Presto Lights to reduce the tension, and it worked well for me. TheRev is right about the E string particularly though, the E on the Presto's isn't great and I'm thinking about putting the Spiro one back on.

Thanks, this is useful advice from you and @TheRev , sounds like a good compromise.  

[TheRev]

1 hour ago, pete.young said:

I went from Spiro Weichs to Presto Lights to reduce the tension, and it worked well for me. TheRev is right about the E string particularly though, the E on the Presto's isn't great and I'm thinking about putting the Spiro one back on.

It does vary from bass to bass though. I didn't like the Presto A & E at all on my ply bass but they work well enough on my carved bass. Having said that I reckon I'd struggle with the E if the carved bass was my gigging bass.

[Clarky]

Another vote for Spiro Solo 3/4 downtuned to EADG. Have the Spiro core tone (albeit slightly darker) but noticeably less tension. See image attached for a really useful comparison.

Presto UL or L are nice but a different kettle of fish altogether, being much fatter (in diameter) nylon wound, gut emulating strings.

 

[bassace]

Welcome back Clarky, we’ve missed you.

[bassadder]

Hi Clarky 

How do the Spiro Solo’s tuned down to E A D G compare to Evah Pirazzi Weichs in terms of sound and tension, tension mainly? Was considering Neal Miners set up with the Spiro E & A, Oliver G and a Kaplan Golden Spiral G (style string)

[Clarky]

Hey Laurence

Evah Pirazzi Weich are the following tensions - you can see only the G is similarly low in tension to Spiro 3/4 Solo (I have put 3/4 Spiro Solo in brackets after each)
E 63.4 (57.8)
A 64.0 (57.8)
D 61.4 (57.8)
G 56.1 (56.0)

3/4 Spiro Solo are in my view much easier on the left hand and they still retain that core Spiro sound, if a little darker than Weichs/Mittels

[bassadder]

Cool so more of that Spiro growl on the E But with less tension?

[Clarky]

Just now, bassadder said:

Cool so more of that Spiro growl on the E But with less tension?

The E is darker with a little less growl than Weich/Mitts (not quite so Danny Thompson) but not radically different and still identifiably Spiro

[Clarky]

FYI, my bass has 3/4 Solo E and A and Red-o-Ray nylon wrapped gut D and G.

Gives a Charlie Haden type sound but with less tension on the E/A. Obv not with Charlie Haden skillz on my part, lol!

[Clarky]

Incidentally all, there is a new set of Pirastro strings coming soon which sound like they might be a strong alternative in the low tension steel stakes

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/new-pirastro-perpetual-double-bass-strings.1406744/page-3#post-22766173

 

[bassadder]

Can you bow the Red-o-Day’s? Charlie H has my favourite sound but I play a fair bit of arco Classical for practice and a lot of old Cumbrian folk melodies.... btw my good friend Zoltan Dekany studies with Charlie Haden at Cal Arts in the 90’s. He’s a brilliant player and teacher if you ever wanted a lesson.

[Clarky]

I don't bow (strictly pizz) but I am guessing nylon-wrapped guts are scratchy and horrid as the surface is not so different from say Silver Slaps.

We are probably heading a bit off topic for the OP here!