recommeded DB strings for elec, upright

Jonesy4fnk · #1 07-17-2003, 04:03 PM

I have have no idea which strings sound best on elec. upright. I play arco and pizz but mainly want a good arco tone, which my Clevinger Deluxe 5 gets. But the strings are dead and need to be changed out.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

**Francois Blais** · #2 07-17-2003, 08:10 PM

Did you like them before they died?
Do you know which brand they are?

You seem to need hybrid strings, good at both arco and pizz.
You may want to look into:
Pirastro Obligatos (synthetic core, flat steel wrap)
Corelli 370's (steel)
Pirastro FlatChromesteels (steel)
Pirastro Permanents (steel)
Thomastik Dominants (synthetic core, flat steel wrap)
Kolstein Varicor Excels (steel)

Jonesy4fnk · #3 07-18-2003, 10:01 AM

thanks for the tips.

I liked them before, nothing spectacular but not bad. I'll contact Clevinger about the brand and go from there.

**Francois Blais** · #4 07-18-2003, 10:16 AM

If you give us the colours of the silk ends (both tailpiece and peg ends), we could possibly identify them already.

JAS · #5 07-19-2003, 07:49 AM

If a string works on an electric upright, does that mean that it would work with a magnetic pickup on an acoustic bass? I have a Pierre Joseph pickup and when I tried the obligatos, which are synthetic core strings, they would barely amplify with this pickup. I was assuming that an electric upright also uses a magnetic pickup?

**Francois Blais** · #6 07-19-2003, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JAS
If a string works on an electric upright, does that mean that it would work with a magnetic pickup on an acoustic bass?

Not necessarily.

I have a Pierre Joseph pickup and when I tried the obligatos, which are synthetic core strings, they would barely amplify with this pickup.

Of course, they don't have much metallic content.

I was assuming that an electric upright also uses a magnetic pickup?

Not necessarily.
Some EUBs use magnetic pickups, others don't.
My Carruthers SUB-1 uses a piezo only.
So is the basic BugBass.
Some provide both types. There's no rule.

Jonesy4fnk · #7 07-21-2003, 12:10 PM

the original strings were Thomstik spiracore "weich". Maybe I'll go with them again.

thanks for the input.

godoze · #8 09-17-2003, 10:39 AM

I'm glad this thread is here...I just bought a custom made EUB and was wondering the same thing. The guy that made it uses helicores on his. Heck, I cannot even find a string I really like for my acoustic bass.

This ought to be fun.

Bruce Lindfield · #9 09-17-2003, 10:41 AM

I really like the Pirastros on my EUB!!

Much better than the original strings - really made it sound much more like DB!

godoze · #10 09-17-2003, 10:47 AM

Bruce are they hybrid strings ? I play arco about 50% of the time so I do not know which strings to buy !

Bruce Lindfield · #11 09-17-2003, 10:57 AM

Ermmm ...don't know - they are called Orchestrals - so presumably the would be good for arco?

**Francois Blais** · #12 09-17-2003, 07:42 PM

IIRC, Bruce plays on strings that I recommended, that are Pirastro Flexocors.
I may be confusing with someone else though!

Bruce Lindfield · #13 09-18-2003, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by francois
IIRC, Bruce plays on strings that I recommended, that are Pirastro Flexocors.
I may be confusing with someone else though!

Yes - that's right - they are great strings and it was a great recommendation! Thanks again!

I don't know whether they are any good for arco though, as I don't even own a bow!!

Has anybody else tried them?

I just looked at the packet again - it says "chromesteel on rope-core" - is this what is meant by hybrid or not?

I like the idea of a string-maker that has been around since 1798 though!!

**Francois Blais** · #14 09-18-2003, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bruce Lindfield

I don't know whether they are any good for arco though, as I don't even own a bow!!

Flexocors are primarily an arco string, so they should bow well! :-)

I just looked at the packet again - it says "chromesteel on rope-core" - is this what is meant by hybrid or not?

No.
It says they're wrapped with chromesteel over a (steel rope) core. (stranded steel wire)
Most strings today are made that way.
It's often the inclusion of dampening material between the core and outer wrap that'll define the string's bowing ability and/or sustain and/or brightness.
The type and amount of the dampening material is a big part in a given string brand's "recipe".

HTH!