Does any one know if Corelli 370 med. are the lowest tension strings on the market?

I don't know if they are the lowest, but they gotta be close. I personally think they suck the hind teet, also. On that line, they last about as long as a teenage virgin on Pamela Anderson.

I think most the guys that use the Corelli's, use the Fortes. Still very playable, but much more durable.

I have spoken.

Originally posted by JAS
Does any one know if Corelli 370 med. are the lowest tension strings on the market?
You'd get the lowest tension with solo-tuning strings, strung at orchestra pitch, I think.
Corellis are also available in solo gauge.

I don't have numbers for Corelli, but for comparison:
Med. guage
Spirocore 278 lb.
Obligato 265 lb
Helicore pizz 263 lb
Spirocore Weich 252.3 lb

= combined total of all 4 strings

Like them ok while they lasted but my Corelli's (Forte) are pooping out on me. They have been on about 9 months. As far as tension, I don't know the specs but some have compared them to gut. I found they are not even close to gut tension. The thinness of the strings make them seem as tense as any other steel.

I just took off a set of Hybrid Mediums and replaced them with the Corelli 370 M and they really don't feel a ton lighter.

It is probally because of what FarmerDude said, because they are thinner it is really hard to tell if they have less tension. I like them but there was a 1/2 day learning curve because of the with of the string.

Corelli 370 M is what I put om my bass.{ALL HAIL BOB} I like them alot. Now I havent tried any others so thats not saying much. I replaced the strings that were on my bass when I got it. Being an electric player I found the light tension very welcome. I think they sound good and my teacher does also. I`m from the old school "if it aint broke don`t fix it" so I will more than likely stick with them. They are bright but I like it.....

Dave

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If the world didn`t suck we would all fall off

Dave, how long have you had your 370Ms on? I hope you have better luck than I did, but mine died within a month-and-a-half. I will admit that I was very impressed when I first put them on. Then again, I get that impression every time I put on a new string.

Hi Tim,
I`ve had them on for about 5 months. They seem to still be fine. Like I said I have not had much experance with DB strings. The ones I replaced were Superflexables. Superflexables my butt. They were so hard to press down. The only thing I see so far with the Corelli`s is that they seem to have loosened up some. I mean not as much tension as the first month. That could be that I`m getting stronger or the strings. Either way they sound the same. Please understand I`m new to the DB and really should not be giving string advice seeing I`ve played on....2 sets. You might have just got a hold of a bad set. Ask "All Hail Bob" about them. He turned me on to them when I bought a K&K mic. from him. I`m sure he can lead you in whatever direction you wish to go in. Have a good day.
Dave

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If the world didn`t suck we would all fall off:p

Originally posted by Tim Ludlam
I will admit that I was very impressed when I first put them on. Then again, I get that impression every time I put on a new string.

Tim, have you tried the Innovations yet? I recently replaced mine with Origional Flexicors because I'm the only bass in a chamber orchestra playing the Messiah. I also thought it was time that I should learn to play on a less forgiving string.

Mark

Hey Mark:

Aaahhh, I just had my repair guy recommend Helicores for my bass, so here I am full circle. Anyway it sounds like it should for now. I promise if I don't stick with the Helicores, my next purchase will be the Innovations.

Have you found an original three string yet?

old saw needs an old bass.

Originally posted by Tim Ludlam
Hey Mark:

Aaahhh, I just had my repair guy recommend Helicores for my bass, so here I am full circle. Anyway it sounds like it should for now. I promise if I don't stick with the Helicores, my next purchase will be the Innovations.

Have you found an original three string yet?

old saw needs an old bass.

Problem.....Oldsaw has new bass.....needs old bass.

I took my Innovations off this August and put on a set of Helicors. Practiced for two days and took them off before I had to go to rehearsal. BTW, I threw the Helicores in the trash. It was the second time I had had them on and I didn't like them any better the second time.

Yes, I have found the three string and have picture all over my office for "motivation".

Mark

Originally posted by oldsaw

I took my Innovations off this August and put on a set of Helicors. Practiced for two days and took them off before I had to go to rehearsal. BTW, I threw the Helicores in the trash. It was the second time I had had them on and I didn't like them any better the second time.

I don't like the Helicores either.
I think they sound shallow and metallic. (even the orchestras)
I tried them in all gauges and none satisfied me.
I'm still in love with Pirastro strings! :-)

I just tried a set of Corelli 360M Solo.
Tuned them to EADG and I must say they don't have enough tension. So if you are looking for low tension these might be more than what you are looking for, my BG's have heavier strings.

I just tried a set of Corelli 360M Solo.
Tuned them to EADG and I must say they don't have enough tension. So if you are looking for low tension these might be more than what you are looking for, my BG's have heavier strings.

Dear Forum,
I've used Corellis 360 Solo Medium Tension (the lowest) and from my experience in matter of Strings I can say that this is the lowest tension that I've ever setted up on my copy of Tarantino. My soloist db. is a 2/4 size with a diapason of cm. 104 (very little). With lower tension, but very low, it's not easier to play with bow. First of all I suggest an adjustable bridge and a doublebass with already a sweet sound. These Corellis are very thin in gauge, and sometimes it's not so easy to ply them with an heavy bow or with a lot of colophonia. You must accustom to them with new pressions on the strings and a new idea or concepts in bowings and fingerings. With them you can obtain excellent results under every aspect. The only problem is this one: "the tone colour is more similar to a cello than to a double bass". Corellis TX provide more sound power, and probably there are the models used by Gary Karr, Marillier, Rabbath and other soloists. Sometimes, in the same Cd, some soloists use to change strings for different compositions, or for different historical period, or in duets and so on. But in a serious Orchestra, in my opinion, these strings aren't the ideal.
It's physically impossible that a thinner gauge with very low tension gives you the same harmonics of a larger one.
So it's only a question of choice.
Listen to Rabbath recordings or Karr's ones (Corelli)
Listen to Tom Martin recordings (1st Pirastro, 2nd Pirastro, 3rd D'Addario, 4th D'Addario). The difference is great. Petracchi on his Rossi uses Jargars. Very big tone ... on this marvellous instrument.

Regards

Vito Liuzzi

My soloist db. is a 2/4 size with a diapason of cm. 104 (very little).
Hi Vitto.
104 cm is the standard 3/4 size bass diapason.
An half size should be around 96 cm I think.

Hi Vitto.
104 cm is the standard 3/4 size bass diapason.
An half size should be around 96 cm I think.

Francois,
this is a 2/4 instrument with a diapason of cm.104. I ask my liuther to follow this instructions ;) . Probably you can see this copy of a Tarantino in my pictures website. It's the first one on the left, and I usually play it sit down, but not like a cellist. The other one is a Romeo Orsi dated 1890, a 4/4 instrument with a diapason of cm. 110.

Ciao

Vito Liuzzi

Corellis TX provide more sound power, and probably there are the models used by Gary Karr, Marillier, Rabbath and other soloists.

When I saw Rabbath, he was using the mediums and sounded fabulous. When I saw Ellison, he was using the mediums and sounded fabulous.

I've read in an inteview that Gary Karr uses the solo strings, as he plays in solo tuning.

The last Vienna Philharmonic concert I watched on TV seemed to show one of the bassists using the Corelli mediums (blue thread with black windings), but I may be wrong it was a quick camera shot.

I've seen the fortes on Lynn Seaton's bass maybe 5 years ago, but last I recall he has been using the mediums. Rumor has it that Rabbath subtly suggested he try them...blame me if I'm wrong there also.

I've only used the fortes myself, and they were very nice strings for bowing and pizz. Much lower tension than, say, the belcantos. Even Mark Rubin liked using them on my bass for slap technique.

They are great orchestra strings but I made my second attempt at using them on my jazz gigs this weekend and they simply do not put out enough volume with my bass/pup/amp selection. They sound great in my practice room although I find them to be lacking in sustain.


I personally would love to know how the guys that use them for jazz gigs make them work....ie what kind of bass, pup, and amp and what kind of instrumentation too. I have a difficult time keeping up with a baby grand even with my GK MB150.

The Corellis in TX gauge give more volume, but in M or solo gauge, don't look further why you have a hard time being heard.
They are very thin and don't have much mass, so they don't move the soundboard a lot.
Solo Spiros will already give more volume, but possibly not as much as thicker ones, depending on how your instrument reacts with tension.

Thank you sir, that explains a lot. My Corelli's are M. I have a set of Spiro Weichs on order. I have never tried them. I like the tension of my Obligatos on my carved bass but prefer the articulation of the Spiros but I have only used Starks so I am hoping for the "perfect" string in the Spiro Weichs....LOL but I am not holding my breath.

I USE FLATCHROME STEEL. THE TENTION IS LOW,SORT OF LIKE CORELLIES, BUT I GET MORE SUSTAIN W/THEM. I THINK I GET A LITTLE MORE VOLUME W/ LESS WORK ALSO. THEY BOW MUCH BETTER THAN OTHER STRINGS THAT I HAVE USED FOR JAZZ. THIS MAKES THEM AN IDEAL CROSSOVER STRING FOR MANY STYLES IMHO.

The Weichs have always been my favorite jazz string, but alas, they suck with the bow. However, I've not tried them on a carved bass, but I can't imagine them to be much better. The Obligatos are nice, but feel to rubber-band like for me, and they're hard to hear, not much presence, just warm. My new Kolstein bass has the Heritage strings on it... I think I like them better than the Obligatos, but I'm not sure I'll stick with them. The overall feel is better though than the Obligatos. On my trusty old King plywood, the Corellis have the best bowing tone hands down, but they lack the volume for jazz, especially on the low E. I have tried the 370 Mediums, but I preferred the Fortes since they were light anyway. I've not tried the TX, but I'm curious how they stand up against the Fortes and the Kolstein Heritage... I had switched to the Superflexibles on my King. They are better with the bow than the Spirocore Weichs, and they are louder than the Corellis acoustically speaking. I'm not sure whether I'll try them or the Corellis next on my new bass. I've not heard much about the Innovations...how are they? Any other suggestions?

:help: Naturally I was talking about Corellis Tungsten 360 Medium or TX for a classical player like me. Nowadays I have setted Corellis 360 Medium. Very and very low tension! I also used an Arcus Sinfonia carbon fiber bow. After a difficult period to understand strings and bow, now I'm a little bit more satisfied. Absolutely with 360s Medium you can allow to experiment incredible bowings (balzato, saltellato, Jetè and ricochet seem to be the ones of a violinst) also because the string (beeing very thin) is also very reactive and iper-flexible. So a 120/125 bow like a Sinfonia jumps very well and without efforce. When I directly asked to maestro Rabbath the model of Corellis he used ... he declined ;)
Thanks a lot Johnny for your comment, I've very appreciated it. But I'd like to tell you another thing. Corellis Medium 360 SOlo need a lot of time to become sweeter and they have an incredible sustain. But I'm convinced that they play better in recordings because it's a different sound in comparison with strings with a larger gauge. But surely I'm in mistake. Next month (or next year) I want to test Corellis medium in a solo perfomance with pianist in a good hall. I'm sure only about one thing: using these strings it's the first time that I finish to play Koussevitzky Concert without needing of extra-oxygene. I will let you know ... if you are interested in it :help: .

Regards

Vito Liuzzi

When I directly asked to maestro Rabbath the model of Corellis he used ... he declined ;)

He uses either the 370M or 370TX.
Next time you see or meet him, just look at the silk colors at the tailpiece...
With this we'll be able to know! :)

There's a big difference between the 370M and the 370TX--the 370F is in between. Why then is there so little discussion regarding the Forte guage?

But I'm convinced that [the 360 solos?] play better in recordings because it's a different sound in comparison with strings with a larger gauge.

Hi Vito,

That article I read of Gary Karr praising the Corelli strings with his Amati, he had great things to say about their projection and clarity...but on his newer bass he didn't like them as they sounded too harsh for his tastes.

I've seen Jeff Bradetich play his Amati and it is a powerful instrument indeed!

Anyway, yeah it's hard to say what is going on with professional recordings...so much can be done with recording technology to shape sounds in so many ways. But I'm much of a beginner on bass with often too loud a mouth...whatever my offenses, I blame them on my interest in all things doublebass. Please forgive me.

The Corellis in TX gauge give more volume, but in M or solo gauge, don't look further why you have a hard time being heard.
They are very thin and don't have much mass, so they don't move the soundboard a lot.
Solo Spiros will already give more volume, but possibly not as much as thicker ones, depending on how your instrument reacts with tension.

The players that like M (and I am one) are usually playing
bowed, and further they do best on my bass when in thumb.
For lower register Bel Canto's still win the day. But when
working on the Cello Suites the Corelli's sing so sweet :)

Yes, if Weiches are your favorite jazz string and based on your description of the others, you owe it to yourself to try Pirastro Jazzers. They are compared to Weiches, but sound less twangy to me. A tad more tension and gauge than weiches, but not as much as orchestral spirocores. And they don't suck with the bow. They're not a true crossover string like Obligatos and they're certainly not like an orchestral string under the bow, but they're quite manageable.

-tk


The Weichs have always been my favorite jazz string, but alas, they suck with the bow. However, I've not tried them on a carved bass, but I can't imagine them to be much better. The Obligatos are nice, but feel to rubber-band like for me, and they're hard to hear, not much presence, just warm. My new Kolstein bass has the Heritage strings on it... I think I like them better than the Obligatos, but I'm not sure I'll stick with them. The overall feel is better though than the Obligatos. On my trusty old King plywood, the Corellis have the best bowing tone hands down, but they lack the volume for jazz, especially on the low E. I have tried the 370 Mediums, but I preferred the Fortes since they were light anyway. I've not tried the TX, but I'm curious how they stand up against the Fortes and the Kolstein Heritage... I had switched to the Superflexibles on my King. They are better with the bow than the Spirocore Weichs, and they are louder than the Corellis acoustically speaking. I'm not sure whether I'll try them or the Corellis next on my new bass. I've not heard much about the Innovations...how are they? Any other suggestions?

Yes, if Weiches are your favorite jazz string and based on your description of the others, you owe it to yourself to try Pirastro Jazzers. They are compared to Weiches, but sound less twangy to me. A tad more tension and gauge than weiches, but not as much as orchestral spirocores. And they don't suck with the bow. They're not a true crossover string like Obligatos and they're certainly not like an orchestral string under the bow, but they're quite manageable.

-tk
I'm glad that the Jazzes strings bow well for you. They don't bow well for me at all. They roll & the bow won't grip the string well. The Weiches bow much better and sound LESS twangy to me. I'm not saying You are wrong, just that our results are suprisingly different. I'll once again plug the flat chromesteel sts. They remind me of the things I like about both the weiches and Obligotos--smooth bowing without scratchy surface noise, similar to obligatos;more sustain that obligatos, similar to weichs. The tension is low,maybe a slight bit less than weiches. Great crossover strings, maybe with a slight bit less sound than weiches(or not) . ?

Yeah, I've seen different results from the same strings on different basses. I concur that Flat Chromesteels are more bow friendly, but I don't like the pizz sound as much.

You gots to experiment.

Lowest tension strings?
I loaned my 1820 Prescott Busetto to the Boston Handel & Haydn Society last January (they insist on "period" instruments or good copies). The player (Nic Pap) took my bass and affixed new, experimental "gut" strings, wound over with something like dental floss! I was invited back stage at Boston Symphony Hall where he let me try to play on the experimental strings. They were extremely loose, probably because H&H does not tune to A=440, but to "period" pitch as low as A-418, I'm told. Anyway I could not get a sound out of the strings, mainly because the only use I have for French bow is to swat pit bulls. Also, I am a very pedestrian player to put it politely. The Dutch player got all kinds of great sounds out of it. Darned if I know how he did it. Here he is re-affixing my strings after the last concert. Click below:
http://home.earthlink.net/~prescottviol/Photos/2006VolkerPapBackstage.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~prescottviol/Photos/2006VolkerPapRestring.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~prescottviol/Photos/2006Prescott.jpg

I'm glad that the Jazzes strings bow well for you. They don't bow well for me at all. They roll & the bow won't grip the string well. The Weiches bow much better and sound LESS twangy to me. I'm not saying You are wrong, just that our results are suprisingly different. I'll once again plug the flat chromesteel sts. They remind me of the things I like about both the weiches and Obligotos--smooth bowing without scratchy surface noise, similar to obligatos;more sustain that obligatos, similar to weichs. The tension is low,maybe a slight bit less than weiches. Great crossover strings, maybe with a slight bit less sound than weiches(or not) . ?
Yeah, I've seen different results from the same strings on different basses. I concur that Flat Chromesteels are more bow friendly, but I don't like the pizz sound as much.

You gots to experiment.

I'm going to split the difference between you two. I used to use a combo--Flat Chromesteel on top and Jazzer on the bottom. They blended great and I got a better arco sound on the top strings but kept the growl and sustain down low. I will probably go back to this setup next string change.

Happy New Years!!!
Have any of you guys tried the Corelli TX 370 set that Lynn Seaton uses? I am thinking of going with a more "hybrid" type of strings. In the Lemur catologue it says that these are the heaviest they make and that they're good if you need a lot of pizz volume. I've been fortunate to hear Lynn play a lot and he always sounds great.

I'm going to split the difference between you two. I used to use a combo--Flat Chromesteel on top and Jazzer on the bottom. They blended great and I got a better arco sound on the top strings but kept the growl and sustain down low. I will probably go back to this setup next string change.

Yeah, I've stuck with the full set of Jazzers for a while, which is very unlike me. I've been thinking about something else on G or D and G, maybe FlatChromesteels or maybe even Obligatos. My problem with Obligatos were the E and A strings.

But, it appears we've hijacked someone's "lowest tension strings" thread.

-tk

I don't know about hijacked but it one of the most informative threads I have read on the internet. This is the kind of info I have been searching for for months. It appears that many of you have been using the same strings I have or the ones I have been interested and your comments are extremely valuable to me.

Thanks to all of you for your input.

In search of very low tension when I was starting off on slap (with a magnetic pickup) I tried a set of Jazzers BUT with a high C in place of the G string and so on down ..... using an A string for an E. It worked OK but was still harder on the fingers than the Rotosound nylon I used later (with a piezo pickup). They do feel very thin though.

Never did try bowing them so I can't comment on that.