Orchestral String choices...

Please list your favorite Orchestral Strings in the order you like them. Also, list what you prefer for heavy Orchestral Bowing only and not just for an occasional Arco venture.

Feel free to explain why you like what you like and the type of Bass you use them on along with the string length as well as your Bow if you care to go into it.

I play 85% arco. I play in Orchestra London Canada, the Stratford Civic Orchestra and the Light of East Ensemble (Middle and Near East music most of which I bow).

I use a KSB Tecchler German bow with black hair and Kolstien soft and/or Oak soft rosin. Presently I'm using a Peter Chandler bass - Tarr model, a 7/8 bass with a short 39.5" string length. It came with D'Addario Helicores on it. They were really dull and unresponsive, very quiet and the pizz was half the volume of the arco.

I did some research and chose Piastro Obligatos next. Wow, what a difference! Pizz like a canon, easy to push down with the fingers, stayed in tune, sounded great, bright sounding so it was easier to hear the pitch. On the negative side, because my short string length, they were a bit flappy. The roll on the A and E strings sometimes made 1/16 note passages unarticulate. Other than that, I was very pleased with them.

Looking for a stiffer string, I did a bit more research and picked Thomastick Dominants next. I found they were stiffer so I could lower my string hieght a bit and were not flappy. However, at first they had an abrasive, nasal metalic zing when bowed so I had to be really careful when playing arco. I took about 2 months of playing till they mellowed out. I liked them a lot after this. Again, they are quite bright so you can hear the pitch well. They have lots of volume and the tone is quite nice, although a bit plasticky. And they stay in tune forever; I almost never had to tune!

When these started wearing out, they great Evah Parazzi and Belcanto megathreads started. I thought I'd try one of these. I flipped a coin and it came up EP.

I've only had them on a week and have done only a "New Years in Vienna" Pops gig so my full review will have to wait a while. So far though, I quite like them. My stand partner noticed my bass sounded better. Our principal bassist tried my bass and the 1/16 notes really popped out.

I looked at the ball end of the strings when I was changing them. Compared to the Dominants, the perlon filiments seem finer and the inner copper wrapping is flat rather than round wire. The guage is a little larger as well. I had to take a round file to open the groove on the bridge for the A string a little so the string would settle right to the bottom. I haven't put on the E string yet as I'm going to have some extension work done but I imagine I'll have to trim the bridge for that as well.

So far, they seem to have the best of the Obligatos and Dominants without the negatives. I'll write a full review after I've ripped the snot out of them with Beethoven's 5th and Brahms 2nd. I'm giving a big solo concert next week so I'll see what the audience thinks as well.

I started taking regular (weekly) arco lessons just 5 months ago so my opinion couldn't be very useful for the gigging professionals with much more experience than me and I don't play in orchestra yet (but I'd like to).
I play 1 to 2 hours per day.

Anyway, maybe this post will be useful for the arco beginners like me.

My bass (low-end Strunal Hybrid) was strung with Thomastic Superflexibles until 1 month ago when I changed them to Obligato Orchestras. I like Obligatos more than Superflexes: string crossings and slurs are so much smoother, they require less bow pressure too. I don't have nearly enough playing level to compare 16th notes responsiveness and be handicapped by A and E rolling issues. But Obligatos are for sure more easy to control than Superflexes: easyer to go from pp to ff, not slipping into the harmonics when I don't need it etc. They are a bit brighter than Superflexes maybe just because they are still new.

The school's bass has Corelli 380M set on it. I don't like it at all: sure easy to bow but too easy to overplay, way too slim, low tension strings with no sound volume.

Just my 0.03 euros :D

Please list your favorite Orchestral Strings in the order you like them.
Feel free to explain why you like what you like and the type of Bass you use them on along with the string length as well as your Bow if you care to go into it.

1. Flexocore (92) - Easy to bow, nice and smooth, medium tension. Nice even sound, Not much sustain,may be a little too dark for some basses. You were right about the floppy E, though.These are currently on my Upton Hybrid and I like the sound.

2. Obligatos- Good all around string, not very loud, but pretty easy to bow and pizz. Currently on my 1923 Wilfer Bass,
(41.75 string length)which is very responsive.

3. Jargars- Smooth as silk under the bow, but a little bit muddy for pizz. Short string life. relatively low tension. (on my bass)

4. Corellis- Unpredictable. Response is OK, but Depending on the bass, they lack power. Nice for pizz, though. Very thin gauge in comparison to other strings.

As for Bows, I use a Carbow CF with black hair (french) and a
Pfretschner Bow with white hair (french)

Number 1 for me is definitely the Thomastik belcantos. Best bow repsonse of any string I've tried, and a smooth, velvety tone that I love. They're fairly loud as well.

Number 2 is probably the heavy helicore orchestras. They have a big ballsy tone, and good response under the string as well.

Number 3 is the Flexicore 92's. They have a beautiful, sweet tone, but I find I can't dig in as much as I'd like with these. The solo tuning strings are my favorite though.

Honorable mention are the Correllis. They lack the power of most normal strings, but they have a such a clear, glassy sound that I love. I like them for soloing in orchestral tuning.

I have tried the D'Addario Helicore Medium (Orchestral Series & Solo) aswell as the Pirastro Original Flexocors.

from my experience so far; order of preference:

1. Helicore Medium
2. Original Flexocor

Right now I am experimenting with Helicore on A,D & G while using the Original Flexocor E because the helicore E wasn't speaking very well on my bass.. I'll be trying out this combo in orchestra this weekend.

Particular strings of interest are the Obligatos and Bel Cantos.
My stand partner is on a set of Bel Cantos, simply beautiful strings!!

EDIT:

I am using a Prochownik Sartory Model bow with white hair on a 42'' string length plywood bass (czech). After using the heli with flex E set up for a while, I can say that it helps to have the heavy E string for tuning down to Eb and D to get some lower notes in the score. It sounds a little muffled still though.

My opinion is that the helicores work well on cheaper basses and that the Flexocor set is not good for new ply instruments.

So far, so good.. lol

I am hunting for the right string (if there is such a thing) for a 3/4 Italian Bass I just got. It has 10 year old Flexocors. Listeners tell me it sounds even down to the Low 'E' but when playing it, I don't hear it being quite as loud.

I made a slight switch with another Bass I have and 'borrowed' a one year old Stark Flex 'E' (all I have new in stock are Extension strings. :( ..Normally that's a good thing until you need a regular 3/4 String). When putting it on I saw that the String was way long so I did what I usually do and switch the 'A' and 'E' strings putting the 'E' on top.

Now when I play the Bass the 'E' sounds even with the 'A' string under the ear so it must sound at least that good at a distance which we tested as well and my assumption was correct.

The reason for my asking what Bass and Bow you use is for all of us to see that besides the 'different strokes for different folks' thing, we have 'different needs for different basses' as well.

Now, I just happen to favor this exact stringing and tuner method on my other basses as well. Seeing how it once again makes 'the fix' puts a smile on my face. :):)

I just took a set of EPs with Ext.'E' off of my English Gilkes that were on the Bass for about 4 months. I put on a new set of Flexocor 92s with the Stark Ext.'E' (yes, I have a few of the discontinued Stark xE's left).

The Pizz was beautiful with the EPs but the Flex's just Bows a bit sweeter and smoother. If I was doing more Jazz playing than Orchestral Bowing then the EPs would still be on my Bass. The Gilkes is a brighter type sounding olde English Bass with more midrange presence rather than a low organ sounding type instrument. Perhaps the EPs would do better on an ultra dark sounding Bass that needs to be brightened up? For me, a Bass can never sound too deep with a Bow in an Orchestra.

So far, no matter what I try I keep coming back to Flex 92s with either a Regular or Stark 'E' depending on the Bass.

Perhaps the EPs would do better on an ultra dark sounding Bass that needs to be brightened up?

Why don't you try'em on the Storioni.
I'd bet they'd be great on that bass.


Bri

Why don't you try'em on the Storioni.
I'd bet they'd be great on that bass.


Bri

Well, for one, I am not looking to brighten that Organ up. I love it as it is but... It has to be restored before I play it for real and the E, it's for an extension and the Storioni doesn't have one on it at the moment.

1. Olivs.
Reason 1: the tone
Reason 2: the tone
Reason 3: the tone
2. Bel Canto
Good tone, quickest response under the bow.
3. Original Flexocor
Big sound, good projection. A great section string.

1. Evah Pirazzi. Really enjoying the sound of them. Pretty responsive with the bow, really good pizz sound
2. Bel Canto. Great bow response. Not quite as good pizz, but ok.
3. Velvet Compas 180. Nice sound overall. great pizz sound (would probably be first choice if all I did was pizz). In the end not quite articulate enough with the bow.
4. Obligatos
5. Innovation (UK) Nice sound, but too much roll for my taste.
6. Helicore Heavy. I used these for a long time, until their quality control worsened and sent me spiraling into the world of string trials. I seem to have come up for air finally with the EPs.

This is all french bow, mostly chamber music and small orchestras (with occasional non classical plucked stuff), on a nice old French bass.

1. Evah Pirazzi. Really enjoying the sound of them. Pretty responsive with the bow, really good pizz sound
2. Bel Canto. Great bow response. Not quite as good pizz, but ok.
3. Velvet Compas 180. Nice sound overall. great pizz sound (would probably be first choice if all I did was pizz). In the end not quite articulate enough with the bow.
4. Obligatos
5. Innovation (UK) Nice sound, but too much roll for my taste.
6. Helicore Heavy. I used these for a long time, until their quality control worsened and sent me spiraling into the world of string trials. I seem to have come up for air finally with the EPs.

This is all french bow, mostly chamber music and small orchestras (with occasional non classical plucked stuff), on a nice old French bass.

Please clarify. Is these 6 the ones you have tried or you actually still use all 6 types listed? If not, which set do you use for Orchestral Bowing?

..And that French Bass, can you send me some good clear Pics of that Bass by email or post them on my forum in the Old French Bass section?

Hi Ken,
I'll try to do some decent photos of the bass since I got an extension and new fingerboard put on.

Those string preferences are in order from having tried them out over the past couple of years. Some strings were not on for much more than a few weeks (Obligato, Innovation). For orchestral bowing I've settled on the EPs for the moment, although I did like the Bel Cantos, too.

I was just wondering if anyone has used a FULL set of Flex 92 Starks.

Are they higher or lower tension than a full set of Flex Originals? I have a beautiful Claudot Bass. The bass has a great low end, but the G string is a little too French for comfort. I have played Flex Originals all the way across as response isn't an issue on my instrument, but I tried a Flex 92 Stark G string and liked it. It is tight...but sounds OK. Is the WHOLE set tight? Will it choke my bass?

Again - the main question is...are the tensions of Flex 92 Starks Higher than Flex Originals? If anyone has that data I will forever be in your debt.

On another note, I just played a bass with the new "pizzicato" gut strings on and they sounds pretty sweet arco too. Bad marketing plan - they would work great in orchestra but because of the name most people will likely avoid them.

I was just wondering if anyone has used a FULL set of Flex 92 Starks.

Are they higher or lower tension than a full set of Flex Originals? I have a beautiful Claudot Bass. The bass has a great low end, but the G string is a little too French for comfort. I have played Flex Originals all the way across as response isn't an issue on my instrument, but I tried a Flex 92 Stark G string and liked it. It is tight...but sounds OK. Is the WHOLE set tight? Will it choke my bass?

Again - the main question is...are the tensions of Flex 92 Starks Higher than Flex Originals? If anyone has that data I will forever be in your debt.

On another note, I just played a bass with the new "pizzicato" gut strings on and they sounds pretty sweet arco too. Bad marketing plan - they would work great in orchestra but because of the name most people will likely avoid them.

The G on your Claudot sounds too French? Did you expect it to sound Italian?..lol

In size, the Orig Flex are still thicker than the Flex Starks. I think the Starks sound sweeter and darker. The tension is not much of a difference but might be tighter, I am not really sure. I have only used them both on two Basses. It was more of a sound issue than tension. I have both sets at different times on my former Bisiach labeled Bass and my Martini. On the Bisiach, the Orig's replaced the Starks for a customer. When the Bass came back, I put the Starks back on. I liked the Starks better and the customer preferred the Orig's. Different strokes I guess.

Two things are certain though. One, the Starks cost less than the Orig's and two, they don't make the Stark E/C anymore. Although I stocked up on the Stark E/Cs when I heard the news, I think the Orig Flat Chrome E/C will match just fine down there.

I have a Bohemian 3/4 Bass here now with Orig's on it but with a Perm E. They are old and sound and play fine. Maybe age helps to take the edge off these strings but I don't like the Orig's when they are new as much as I like the Starks. Also, if tension is an issue, use the Reg Medium Flex's and put a Stark E on the Bass. That works great for Basses that have a soft E feel.

1. Bel Canto - Terrific response, volume is substantial, tone is wonderful. These make your bass sound about 100 years older.

2. Original Flexs - Massive volume, unremarkable tone. Response is good because of the tension, but sometimes the gauge hinders acrobatic fingerings.

3. Permanents - Good response and projection. All-around set.

G pirastro chromcor (loud and articulate but without the edge)
D pirastro chromcor
A old spiro
E old spiro

G bel canto
D bel canto
A corelli forte
E corelli forte

This is what I'm using for orchestra...but the whole thomastic and pirastro lines are great strings IME. I like the corelli line too.

In order i Like
D'Addario Hybrids: excellent pizz, bow response great and the sound changes with what your trying to portray.
Thomastik solo: sounds deep when using orchestral tuning and bright when solo tuned. (used these in college for solos and orchestra)
D'addario orchestral: take a few strokes to open up but then become loud
Correli's: played on some a long time ago and they sounded great but it wasn't my bass so i'm not sure.
With the exception of the correli's all the other were played on my Kay bass (yes its set up for orchestral) which surprisingly enough doesn't sound like a ply bass. its overpowered several $12,000 and below basses i've tried out.

Currently using Obligatos on both basses. Great improvement over the orchestra Helicores mediums, Corellis, and Permanents. I have been looking for a warm mellow sound when bowed with good articulate sustain when doing pizz.

My second choice would be the Flexocors 92 but needed a different E.

I have a set of Evah's coming and I will try them shortly.

Pirastro Flat is olso very good string for bows!

Pirastro Flat is olso very good string for bows!

I assume you mean the Flat Chromes and/or the Original Flat Chromes. The FCs are thinner and more flexible. Almost a hybrid string to me. The OFCs are actually the old Eudoxa Steels I think. They Bow fantastic and are very similar to the Flexocor 92s.

If you are using the Flex 92s and the E is too soft, try either the Stark 92 E or the OFC E. Other choices are the Permanent E. Remember now, it's not just tension, it's matching the tone across the Bass as well.

I use mainly 92s and some Basses need the Stark E and some don't. The Stark although tighter and thicker also requires more Bow pressure. The Flex 92 E/C measures about .100" while the reg. E is only .097". The Stark E is .106 reg. or Ext and the OFC E is .105. The Perm is between the OFC and the Stark but not quite as good as either in tone. When they break in. the sound better.

I assume you mean the Flat Chromes and/or the Original Flat Chromes. The FCs are thinner and more flexible. Almost a hybrid string to me. The OFCs are actually the old Eudoxa Steels I think. They Bow fantastic and are very similar to the Flexocor 92s.

If you are using the Flex 92s and the E is too soft, try either the Stark 92 E or the OFC E. Other choices are the Permanent E. Remember now, it's not just tension, it's matching the tone across the Bass as well.

I use mainly 92s and some Basses need the Stark E and some don't. The Stark although tighter and thicker also requires more Bow pressure. The Flex 92 E/C measures about .100" while the reg. E is only .097". The Stark E is .106 reg. or Ext and the OFC E is .105. The Perm is between the OFC and the Stark but not quite as good as either in tone. When they break in. the sound better.

I'd be really curious to know which are the main differences betweeen the Original Flatchrome and the Flex92s...
I do know the Orig.flatchrome, but never tried the Flex92s...

What do you think about it?
Thanks!

My favourites:

-Original Flatchrome G-D-A with Obligato E
(for tone, power, articulation, definition but strong and dark sound..The E of the OFC sounded a little bit mute, not very responsive, so I matched these 3strings with an easier and responsive Obligato E, which is anyway dark and powerful..)

-Belcanto
(it's absolutely true: they make your instrument play 100years older...strong, but less definition than OFC.. anyway they're more forgiving..)

I have a carved Shen bass acquired five years ago. The dealer (Bob Beerman) had Permanents (Jack Budrow recommended) on it. I liked the Permanents but eventually wanted to find strings that had a fuller, less bright, sound. Tried and liked Helicore Orchestra until they seemed to go dull. Next I tried a set of Evah Pirazzi and was very excited about the huge sound and easy bowing. After a while the sound of the G, especially in the upper register seemed a little plastic sounding and I noticed what seemed a limited dynamic range. The response seemed limited at the dynamic extremes. It was like the string could only get so loud or so quiet, would speak too much when I wanted ppp and too little on fff. I thought about trying Bel Canto. Then after reading Ken Smith’s lengthy reflections on Flexocor 92 I tried a set. Truly a lovely sound to my ear, especially the higher positions on the G. I would call the sound a smooth and sonorous voice. But, less overall power and much more effort. Although enjoying the sound I was still frustrated. The physical demands of the low strings bothered me a lot (left hand pain). (I am a former regional orchestra player recovering from 22 years without an instrument.) Out of frustration and seeking muscle relief I brought back the Evah E and A. I hoped the G and D Flex would not sound too weak next to the Evah E and A. I was absolutely surprised and delighted as to how well this combination works for me. The low Evahs are full and easy as expected. But unexpectedly the high Flexos are also full and easy with a very satisfying tone and very expressive dynamic range that is easy to control. Playing this combination really feels like singing now. I speculate that with a full set of Flexocor the overall relatively high tension on the bass had a damping effect on my instrument. This may explain why I experienced less overall power and much more effort with the full set of Flexocor. I won’t say the sound is 100% perfect but this mix is much better than either “pure” set. I welcome suggestions for other lower tension E and A to use with with the 92s.

before I post my opinion I must say that I am young and completely inexperienced and my opinions are probably not as valuable as some others but here they are anyway.
I recently (july 2007) purchased a 150 year old german bass that is the love of my life. It needed to be played in agian after too much time in a shop and no serious playing since a full restoration and new top was put on in 2005. since then the bass has really opened up and sounds fantastic. I have always played Helicore Orchestra mediums, which I used on an old plywood and they always got the job done. When I was shopping for the bass, at the ISB convention, Chris Brown was auditioning the basses with me and had the belcanto's thrown on. they have an amazing tone and bow really well.
This is were my experience runs out. I have a 20K dollar bass that I've only tried one set on. I was starting to get really comfortable with them and I cracked the rib loading it in my car so I'm short my bass for a while (tops comming back off and I'll lose all that playing in I worked so hard on). I'd love to try other strings but I just got into the U of M's graduate program and can't afford to just jump back and forth between strings. I will admit I wouldn't mind more volume but I also play in 2 orchestras that have really small sections, like 2 and 3 players, relative to the orchestras, 75-100 players. I've played in two chamber orchestras lately and have enjoyed it quite a bit and really was able to be heard.
Overall I'd say the Belcanto's are higher up on my list then the Helicore's but I haven't tried the heavy's ever and haven't tried any other strings on my new axe.
I play on a M. Lepierre french bow from the 1950's with salt and pepper hair and Kolstein soft, though I'm gonna try out the allweather seing as springs is right around the corner and I like a little more powder then the soft.

P.S. does anybody know how to get rid of this stupid "congratulations you won" thing that keeps beeping and is driving me crazy.

I'd be really curious to know which are the main differences betweeen the Original Flatchrome and the Flex92s...
I do know the Orig.flatchrome, but never tried the Flex92s...

What do you think about it?
Thanks!

OFC is slightly brighter than Flex92s. I believe the OFCs are the reformulation of the old pre'92 Eudoxa Steel. When aged, both strings are deep and sweet sounding. The OFCs are slightly heavier gauged and sounding and more expensive as well.

For me, the OFCs are my 2nd choice but the G on the set I tried was not as smooth as the 92 G in either regular or Stark gauge.

I have a carved Shen bass acquired five years ago. The dealer (Bob Beerman) had Permanents (Jack Budrow recommended) on it. I liked the Permanents but eventually wanted to find strings that had a fuller, less bright, sound. Tried and liked Helicore Orchestra until they seemed to go dull. Next I tried a set of Evah Pirazzi and was very excited about the huge sound and easy bowing. After a while the sound of the G, especially in the upper register seemed a little plastic sounding and I noticed what seemed a limited dynamic range. The response seemed limited at the dynamic extremes. It was like the string could only get so loud or so quiet, would speak too much when I wanted ppp and too little on fff. I thought about trying Bel Canto. Then after reading Ken Smith’s lengthy reflections on Flexocor 92 I tried a set. Truly a lovely sound to my ear, especially the higher positions on the G. I would call the sound a smooth and sonorous voice. But, less overall power and much more effort. Although enjoying the sound I was still frustrated. The physical demands of the low strings bothered me a lot (left hand pain). (I am a former regional orchestra player recovering from 22 years without an instrument.) Out of frustration and seeking muscle relief I brought back the Evah E and A. I hoped the G and D Flex would not sound too weak next to the Evah E and A. I was absolutely surprised and delighted as to how well this combination works for me. The low Evahs are full and easy as expected. But unexpectedly the high Flexos are also full and easy with a very satisfying tone and very expressive dynamic range that is easy to control. Playing this combination really feels like singing now. I speculate that with a full set of Flexocor the overall relatively high tension on the bass had a damping effect on my instrument. This may explain why I experienced less overall power and much more effort with the full set of Flexocor. I won’t say the sound is 100% perfect but this mix is much better than either “pure” set. I welcome suggestions for other lower tension E and A to use with with the 92s.

Interesting to hear you also discovered this. I had the EPs on my Gilkes and then it was loaned out on trial to a friend. My friend did not like the EP G string so he put 92s on the G and D (reg. or starks, I'm not sure). He told me this sounded best and fixed the problem for him.

It is possible that the lighter tensioned EP bottoms allowed the upper G and D 92s to pull more wood/bridge pressure than with 92 bottoms. Just a theory but it makes sense in my mind.

So, if you like either of these sets but have a slight problem as described or the the 92 E as well, try this combo for a mix or high grade steel and Synthetic core strings.

Interesting to hear you also discovered this.
Nice to know I am not the only one.
Thanks,
Sol

Ken or others that posted:

I recently purchased a Alfred Meyer with the following outline pattern:

18" upper bout
14" c bout
25 " lower bout
44 "body length
41 and 1/2 string length
Round back

Currently have Medium Spirocores, but is sound is bright and I find the bass lacking projection that I need in in the Community Symphony. I have been reading the posts about the Flexcore 92's as having a a dark powerful sound. Should I try these? Or......?

I have used Obligatos and don't even remember what came before. Sure wish they cost less.

I assume you mean the Flat Chromes and/or the Original Flat Chromes. The FCs are thinner and more flexible. Almost a hybrid string to me. The OFCs are actually the old Eudoxa Steels I think. They Bow fantastic and are very similar to the Flexocor 92s.

If you are using the Flex 92s and the E is too soft, try either the Stark 92 E or the OFC E. Other choices are the Permanent E. Remember now, it's not just tension, it's matching the tone across the Bass as well.

I use mainly 92s and some Basses need the Stark E and some don't. The Stark although tighter and thicker also requires more Bow pressure. The Flex 92 E/C measures about .100" while the reg. E is only .097". The Stark E is .106 reg. or Ext and the OFC E is .105. The Perm is between the OFC and the Stark but not quite as good as either in tone. When they break in. the sound better.

Ken, are you describing the medium gauge Flex 92s? I'm trying to decide which gauge I want to order. Which do you tend to use?

Ken, are you describing the medium gauge Flex 92s? I'm trying to decide which gauge I want to order. Which do you tend to use?

I use either 92s with are the regular or medium gauge or the Starks/heavy or the regular with Stark E depending on the Bass.

I use either 92s with are the regular or medium gauge or the Starks/heavy or the regular with Stark E depending on the Bass.

I've seen a lot of discussion of the Stark strings, but I couldn't find a reference to them on Lemur (except for a Thomastik string). Are Starks a variety of the Flexocor, or is it that the Thomastik Stark matches well to the Flexocor 92s?

To make the question more general - do people tend to buy strings from their luthier or somewhere else?

I've seen a lot of discussion of the Stark strings, but I couldn't find a reference to them on Lemur (except for a Thomastik string). Are Starks a variety of the Flexocor, or is it that the Thomastik Stark matches well to the Flexocor 92s?

To make the question more general - do people tend to buy strings from their luthier or somewhere else?

Stark just means heavy. It is the heavy gauge 92s that I am referring to. These have nothing to do with Thomastik.

1) Pirastro Flexocor Orginal, they simply blend the best with other basses in your section.

2) Dominant G,D,A plus Spirocore E. This combination has worked very well for me in orchestral playing.

I keep hearing the notion that Original Flexocors blend the best in a section, but, as stubborn as I am in the recommending of Bel Cantos, blending in a sections starts on the individual level. OFs are more tinny and springy sounding than BCs, especially the G string. The BCs are the most even sounding set of strings I've ever used (really. I put my OF set on a couple of weeks ago and I immediately regretted it).

Since the Bel Cantos are so sweet and even on every bass they're put on, the bass-to-bass-to-bass recipe is quite delicious.

The BCs have a very light tension and let the Top breathe more. The OFs have a very heavy tension and choke the Top a bit. Just the opposite. I think the tone of the 92s are in the middle and the Stark E with reg. 92s are a winner for me. I have used all the sets mentioned here and will stick with the 92s.

One thing I've noticed with the Evahs on my bass is that the G & D seem to take more time to adjust to being on the bass. When I first tried the EPs the G took at least a month to stop sounding a bit nasally. I took the Evahs off after they had settled in (maybe not a good move...) so that I could get a reverse comparison with the BCs, having narrowed it down to those two types as a first preference. I've had the Evahs back on now for about 5 or 6 weeks and the top 2 only just got back to sounding great again about a week ago.

Now that I'm finally happy I'm thinking about Olives on the G and D... :hmm:

I play in an university orchestra, but I like to play pizzicato and the tone of a string matters to me here also. I have a cheap Eastman bass that broke because I don't know why, maybe it was still green. It's fixed. I have a cheap carbon fiber bow, I don't even know it's name - I call her several things (rosin... I have several). But I play mostly arco, and I just don't scrimp on strings. So...

I have to mention Superflexible to all here, by Thomastik-Infeld; it's what I'm using now. I cannot say I am as set as Ken Smith with my strings, but they are worth trying if you like Flexocors. They sound warm, mellow, and most of all deep, but not tight. I have been looking for something friendly to my left hand for a while - which Flexocors are good for - only to find a deep sounding string in Superflexible.

I have tried Helicore Orch. Med., Flexocor, and Original Flexocor - so now you know how inexperienced I am. I've been playing 6 years. I guess it depends on what you like, because I have tried Spirocore briefly on someone's instrument, and am also intrigued by others which have a sort of spotted reputation for arco - such as Obligato. A low tension, synthetic string? Some seem to like them, others say they won't bow? I wish I knew them before I bought them! Seems like pirastro intended them to be bowable... scale of 1 - 10, be honest, how would they score?

Are Obligato strings popular with violin, viola, and cello? Also, are Chromcor strings solid cores, or rope cores?

I would recommend the heavy Helicores to someone who's looking for a bass-heavy sound, had I experience with them. The mediums had a nice harmony, with a supportive E - so I only am assuming the Heavy set would have the same harmony only stepped up in low-power...

If you are one who likes a strong-ass bass sound, then maybe Superflexibles with a different E, or E&A, would be something. And oh yeah, if you try these strings, they will sound somewhat bright at first. It's normal, with most strings it's like this. Not only will they mellow out, but the whole tone will conform to your instrument's own voice. (The set reminds me a lot like Flexocor in medium tone and feel).

I'll probably try Jargar or Ep next... I can't say now. It's mind boggling...

Are Obligato strings popular with violin, viola, and cello? Also, are Chromcor strings solid cores, or rope cores?


I think the synthetic string market for the violin, viola and cello is still dominated by the TI Dominant.

The Chromcor is solid steel core, indeed.
It has a solid, big and strong tone, but is stiffer under the left hand.

Stark just means heavy. It is the heavy gauge 92s that I am referring to. These have nothing to do with Thomastik.

Ken,

Thanks for the recommendation and the help. I ordered a set of Flex 92s and strung them up. They settled in quickly. There is a noticeable difference in the tone: the 92s are not as dark as the Original Flexocors, but there's much less tension in the bass, and the sound is a little less 'choked'. They bow pretty well, too. I'm a 100% orchestral player, so I'm not that worried about the pizz tone, but while not outstanding, it's such that it would blend perfectly in with my section.

For my bass, the Stark E doesn't seem to be necessary - the low notes don't seem to be too floppy or limp.

"Are Obligato strings popular with violin, viola, and cello?"

Dominants are popular on cello, as are the Evah Pirazzi. I see a lot of violins with the Pirastro Tonica string, very similar to but warmer than Thomastik Dominants.

Best SOLELY orchestral strings I've used are the steel on gut Eudoxa's, they're amazing.

1st - Original Flat chromes, big dark sound
2nd - Original Flexocors, similar to OFC but not as much presence
3rd - Belcantos, very smooth sounding and easier on the left hand

Permanents are a bit brighter and good for bottom strings

Which exactly, are the Flexocor 92's? I'm familiar with the Originals and just Flexocore w/ the maroon ends.
thanks..
chris

Which exactly, are the Flexocor 92's? I'm familiar with the Originals and just Flexocore w/ the maroon ends.
thanks..
chris

The 92s would be the 'just' Flexocors (maroon). The no longer use 92s but most people remember them as such. They are the closest in my mind to the 'actual' original Flexocors from 20-30 years ago.

The 92s would be the 'just' Flexocors (maroon). The no longer use 92s but most people remember them as such. They are the closest in my mind to the 'actual' original Flexocors from 20-30 years ago.

Ken, just tried an Italian Montagnana 1756 strung with all Eudoxa's...sounded like an organ.

Ken, just tried an Italian Montagnana 1756 strung with all Eudoxa's...sounded like an organ.

I think a Bass like that would sound like an Organ with guitar strings on it as well.. lol

Oh, and an 'Italian' Montagnana? Are there other kinds of Montagnanas that are not Italian? :confused:


Also, I just switched some strings around once again between two of my Basses with what I think are good results.

My Gilkes had reg. Flex 92s but an old Eudoxa Steel E/C.
My Batchelder had Orig. Flexs but with a Perm E.

I switched the G, D and As between the two Basses and the Gilkes with the old Eudoxa Steel E/C now matches better in tone with the Orig. Flex's that it did with the 92s.

The Batchelder also feels and sounds better with the 92s and the Perm. E. Perhaps the Orig's we too heavy on that Bass. The Gilkes' Top is a tank and no tension difference really noted, just a tonal difference except the G is not as smooth.

I have the same Orig Flex/Perm E on my Bohemian Bass as well but that's an old set. They seem fairly smooth so perhaps the Orig's just need time to mellow out on top. Is this normal for that set?

Ken, just tried an Italian Montagnana 1756 strung with all Eudoxa's...sounded like an organ.

I am curious where you got this date from. He died in 1750. Only one loose source vaguely has him alive till about 1756 BUT several have his death recorded as March 7, 1750.

http://www.veniceresearch.com/serafin.htm
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/390415/Domenico-Montagnana
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domenico_Montagnana

I am curious where you got this date from. He died in 1750. Only one loose source vaguely has him alive till about 1756 BUT several have his death recorded as March 7, 1750.

http://www.veniceresearch.com/serafin.htm
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/390415/Domenico-Montagnana
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domenico_Montagnana

Sorry, Tim Dawson the owner of the bass said 1756, maybe he was off by a few years?

Pirastro Original Flat-Chrome, good bow response, big, focused but warm sound.

Pirastro Original Flat-Chrome, good bow response, big, focused but warm sound.

And High Tension