How to Change Double Bass Strings: A Comprehensive Guide

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Contrabass Conversations I much prefer using on the 5 String Upright Bass D'addario Helicore Orchestral Full Size Double Bass Strings in Medium Tension plus a Low B. Thomas & George Martin cleverly solved the playability problem of the 5 String Double Bass by coming up w/ a setup to where it feels almost the same as a 4 string Bass.

[@EJHDad]

Perpetuals are great. A nice hybrid option.

[@doublebasshq]

I’ve been digging them! I’ve got a review of them coming out next week.

[@EJHDad]

@@doublebasshq I have them on 4 basses! I'm a mostly pizz guy. They sound great on all of the basses. I nice alternative to the Spiro weich and the EP weich. I know Joseph Conyers has been using them on Ms. Riley. They must have some redeeming qualities under the bow. I certainly like them for arco work. Much more than the EP weich. My 2 pennies. Keep up the good work. I look forward to hearing your impression.

[@davidtroupe1553]

Hi Jason, great video! I have the KC Strings capo style C extension on my bass. There is no hole drilled through the scroll, which is nice I guess, but it is difficult to tune accurately sometimes since the string goes the through the extension. I usually tune slightly sharp, then stretch the string hoping that it loosens to pitch. Have you or anyone else who may be reading this heard of this issue? Maybe some oil or other type of lubricant around the inside of the nut of the extension would help?

[@doublebasshq]

I haven’t heard about this, but I think every extension design is a little quirky. Mine tends to catch a bit, so fine tuning. Can be tricky. It’s been awesome for me otherwise, though.

[@carloszagal1934]

hey Jason aspiring bassist here, I love the channel! Have you heard of Kolstein strings? They were the main strings used by Scott Lafaro and I would LOVE to see you try them out. Best! also the perpetuals are amazing, I have them on my bass at the moment

[@bobjacobson858]

Thanks for this video! I've never seen an C-extension (or, in your case, a B-extension) up close. However, one thing I've been wondering--has anyone tried using thicker strings and tuning the instrument lower--such as the usual G-D-A-E but an octave lower? Doing so would approach the "octobass" in range while maintaining a portable instrument. Some kinds of stock A and E could probably serve as the G and D on this configuration, but custom strings would be needed for the "new" A and E. I'm wondering if the instrument could stand the additional forces involved. Any thoughts or comments on this would be most interesting!

[@doublebasshq]

I know that some people have tried tuning their low C (or B in my case) string down to an A or even a G. Beyond that, I think the string gets pretty floppy. Not sure if folks have gone lower than that, though. Thanks for watching!

[@bobjacobson858]

@@doublebasshq Thanks! I used to play around with strings to get them the way i wanted (decades ago), such that my G string allows very fast action. Yes, I would expect the stock E string to get floppy if down to a G. I suppose one could add winding, but I suspect it would be difficult to obtain it long enough to cover the "active" length of the string (especially if using the attachment)!

[@DBK415]

How far can you tune a low E past standard on a 3/4 size?