Product Description
Table of Solo Bass Gauges | ||||||
Light | Light+ | Medium | Medium+ | Heavy | Heavy+ | |
a-1 | 1.78mm | 1.80mm | 1.82mm | 1.84mm | 1.86mm | 1.88mm |
e-2 | 2.56mm | 2.58mm | 2.60mm | 2.62mm | 2.64mm | 2.68mm |
B-3 | 2.36mm | 2.38mm | 2.40mm | 2.42mm | 2.44mm | 2.46mm |
F#-4 | 3.08mm | 3.10mm | 3.12mm | 3.14mm | 3.16mm | 3.18mm |
The "Solo Tuning" for the contrabass was adopted sometime in the 1800s to create a more transparent, brilliant tone with more projection for solo works. It involves tuning all of the strings up a whole-step, using thinner strings. The lighter strings are more responsive under the bow, and the tone's clarity carries better in a hall.
The solo gauges are assuming a pitch of a-440.
The bottom string is usually tuned to F#, although some players choose to leave it at the E pitch to extend the instrument's range. We offer a full range of strings for solo tuning. However, our Pistoy-style of gut does not respond well to this tuning, so that string style is available only for the third-string position.
The following strings are included in the standard set:
- a-1 - Lyon Gut
- e-2 - Lyon Gut
- B-3 - Gut/Silverplate
- F#-4 - Gut/Silverplate