anyone have opinions on pirastro flat chrom (original or the other one?) for orchestral use?

The Original Flatchromes are the same thing as Original Flexocors, only selected with a closer tolerance range.
They are the quintessential orchestral strings.
Fat dark bottom with short sustain, brighter top.
The Kolstein Varicor Excels are in the same category.

The (New) FlatChromes are a completely different string.
Thin and bright sounding, they are to be advised only if you play a mix of jazz pizz and arco. But if you play arco only, forget about them.

Hope this helps.

thanks alot...it does!