Strings

Since the sound box of a string instrument strictly speaking only amplifies the vibrations that are created, the quality of the strings is of great importance. For a long time, criteria such as playability, rapid speech, tunability, harmonic purity and durability were the most important parameters in the development of strings. Modern steel strings fulfil these criteria. Since these can be produced at low prices, they have captured the greater part of the market.

Nevertheless, even hi-tech steel strings have not succeeded in completely replacing the gut strings that were customary for centuries, because these have excellent tonal characteristics.

For a few years now, double bass players too have enjoyed a choice from an ever-increasing range of strings, which offer solutions for a very wide variety of needs. The greatest innovations have been made in the area of new types of synthetic string cores. These attempt to combine the advantages of steel and gut strings.

For the New Dutch School, strings that resonate well and have high elasticity are
to be recommended. Such strings can be obtained today from the companies Pirastro (Obligato) and Thomastik (Dominant). The Berlin company SONORES produces strings that generate less pressure on the top of the instrument, thereby making it possible to obtain more resonance.