Spirocore Bass strings are specially formulated for pizzicato play. They are an all-steel string made to produce maximum volume and sustain. While their outer wrap feels very smooth to the hand, they are not most players’ first choice for bowing. Spirocore Bass is now available more variations than any other string.
Spirocore Weich is the German Word for soft and that’s a good description for these lighter gauge strings. There is less mass on a weich gauge Spirocore so it’s a bit easier in the hand, without sacrificing any noticeable volume or sustain. Players who want less tension for the top plate of their bass choose a lighter tension string. This one delivers all the Spirocore punch you would expect.
Spirocore Bass Weich (Light Tension) – In Orchestra Tuning (G-D-A-E)
Spirocore Bass Weich (Light Tension) – In Solo Tuning (A-E-B‑F#)
Spirocore Bass Weich (Light Tension) – In Fifths Tuning Spirocore Bass Red Mitchell Bass Strings (A-D-G-C)
Spirocore Bass Weich (Light Tension) Fractional Size Bass Strings – Fractional sized Spirocore Bass is proportionally smaller, meaning a bit narrower and shorter. Almost all the Spirocore we sell is considered full size (4/4). We do that to fit the greatest number of string playing lengths. We also stock Spirocore Bass True 3/4 size, and True 1/2 size in Weich Tension.
Spirocore Weich Bass Extra Strings – Lemur Music stocks all the Extension 4th strings (C), High C (5th string), Low B and C (5th string) in each Spirocre Gauge.
Spirocore Weich Bass Fractional Size Spirocore Solo Tuning Bass Strings – We stock the Spirocore Bass True 3/4 size solo tuning Spirocore as well as a Spirocore Bass 1/2 size solo tuning set.
Extra Strings – Thomastik Makes and Lemur Stocks an Extension 4th string (F#) as well as a Low 5th string tuning to C#. We consider both of these strings to be rare birds (not made by many string manufacturers) and so we USE THEM FREQUENTLY since they have great center of pitch, remain focused, and are readily available.
Spirocore Bass Weich (Light Tension) – In Fifths Tuning Spirocore Bass Red Mitchell Bass Strings (A-D-G-C)
In this tuning, the double bass is tuned like a cello but an octave lower (A-D-G-C.) Fifths tuning was once a very common double bass tuning but has been supplanted by standard tuning in fourths. However, Fifths tuning has been re-adopted by a handful of bassists, most notably (the late) Red Mitchell who lends his name to this particular Spirocore sets. Other players who tune in 5ths include Joel Quarrington, Dennis Mazzuso, Silvio Dalla Torre, Paul Unger,and Larry Holloway. 5ths tuning is definitely gaining in popularity.
The advantages of fifths tuning seem to be:
- The bass achieves better intonation with the rest of the string section due to the uniform tuning with upper strings and cello.
- It’s a very good method of reaching a low C, without an extension or a fifth string.
- Jazz players find it easier to reach the major tenth which can be played easily without a position shift.
- Increased resonance, volume and quality of sound.
- The strings have more common overtones, causing the strings to vibrate sympathetically.
For years we had to mix-n-match from a variety of manufacturers to make good 5ths Tuning Sets. Now we have the Red Mitchell 5ths Tuning Set in both Medium and Weich Gauges. Yipes! Choosing bass strings is getting easier, thanks to Thomastik‑Infeld.
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