About Pirastro...

Amin · #1 09-24-2006, 09:44 AM

Hello everybody.

I've just put on my instrument a solo set of Pirastro Original Flatchrome. I've never been so happy about a string, so I won't talk so long about it.. simply marvellous! playability, perfect tension on my instrument, sound.. great!

But I DO have a question.
Which are the main differences between :

-Flexocore vs Original Flexocore

-Flatchromsteel vs Original Flat (chrome) -as i have seen more than once the name : "original flat" which i guess stands for "original flatchrome..." am I right?

Could anybody talk about differences in tensions, sound, playability etc...

Thank you very much in advance from italy..!!

KSB - Ken Smith · #2 09-24-2006, 04:29 PM

Read this first on the Flexocor; Flexocor strings info from Ken Smith

The Flexs come in 3 gauges I think. Solo, Orch and Stark. I like the Stark or Stark E with Orch G, D & A. The Orig, a new formula in my opinion is actually a slightly heavier gauge and brighter sounding that the Flexs and Starks. The reason so many players like the Origs I think is because of the gauge. Most people are not aware of the starks and think the Orch Flex is too light on the E. Many souloutions avaliable but rarely the right one. Many Basses sound better with a heavier string but some not. The Orig FCs are the sweetest I think but the G still a big harsh. I never tried the solo gauge so I can't comment.

**Francois Blais** · #3 09-24-2006, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

Read this first on the Flexocor; Flexocor strings info from Ken Smith

The Flexs come in 3 gauges I think. Solo, Orch and Stark.

Thin, Medium, Thick and Solo.

Jake · #4 09-24-2006, 09:22 PM

I wholeheartedly agree with you that the Original FlatChrome solo strings are marvellous. In my opinion there the best solo set money can buy. Actually, I am seriously considering getting a set of the orchestra gauge strings, which I've never tried, for my new bass but maybe with a Jargar Heavy G. For regular orchestral gauge I've used the Original Flexocors for a long time with a D'Addario Helicore Orchestra Medium E. I am very used to them and I have never tried anything I liked better for arco. The G on many basses can be a little bright, but it does have the feel and attack I like. I do not like the feel of the Stark Flexocors. Many people do and I believe they're worth checking out if you've never tried them. They do have a unique sound. To my ears the A is too bright. Some people, like Max Dimoff, I think, use an Original Flex E & A with a regular Flex D & G. I may give that a try with the Medium Flex D & G. I had the Starks on my bass before. It would take me a while to get used to the feel of regular Flexocors though.

The Flat Chromesteel is a totally different kind of string than the Original FlatChrome. They have a great pizz sound if you like a little twang, but the arco attack is way to bright and hard to control for me. They are pretty light gauge as well. They're great if you need a thin, loud, honking set of strings that work better for pizz than arco. Unless they fixed it, I would definitely stay away from the Chromesteel E. Mine was really dead and puny compared to the rest of the set. That is a problem I've had with all Pirastro E strings I have bought.

KSB - Ken Smith · #5 09-25-2006, 10:12 AM

I have heard a rumor here on TB that came from a retailer that can't get or sell Starks or Stark E or E/C ext. strings because of a claim that they are discontinued. I just called my Distributor and was told UN-True. They are still available as I buy them as needed. Maybe I need to become a dealer and not just a user as I could easily add them to my line of String offerings.

Also, I just emailed Pirastro to get this 100% confirmed either way about the fate of the Starks. I will post again as soon as I get confirmation.

Johnny L · #6 09-25-2006, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amin

I've just put on my instrument a solo set of Pirastro Original Flatchrome. I've never been so happy about a string, so I won't talk so long about it.. simply marvellous! playability, perfect tension on my instrument, sound.. great!

But I DO have a question.
Which are the main differences between :

-Flexocore vs Original Flexocore

-Flatchromsteel vs Original Flat (chrome) -as i have seen more than once the name : "original flat" which i guess stands for "original flatchrome..." am I right?

Could anybody talk about differences in tensions, sound, playability etc...

I've tried flatchromesteel on another person's bass, but I don't remember much about them.

I've got some original flatchromes and I think the string colors on those are pretty cool, but my low E and A strings (while being very smooth sounding under the bow) just don't push a lot of air. They like to whisper and I really have to move the bow to get them to assert themselves...which for some orchestra work may be the perfect string to have on the bass, since the tuba behind you can pick up the slack when you gotta be loud.

The original flexocore E and A strings I like better. They've got more oom pah for the buck. I had E and A original flex and D and G original flatchrome on my bass for a while, when I was on a bow-only kick and had no interest whatsoever in walking bass. Those were definitely some stylin' colors and I was very happy with the arco sound.

I've got some ruby flexocores too but I inevitably take them off for a string with more than one thread color at the tailpiece. I don't really have anything generally bad to say about them though. They're pretty smooth sounding too and, strangely, a little darker sounding with the high strings than the original flexocores IMO.

Me, I like a little cut-through in my sound these days...a little stand-out. I don't want to blend in behind anything like I might want or need to do in an orchestra, which I think all the Pirastro strings you want to talk about can do smoothly.

Plus, the original flex and flatchromes are kinda stiff and I'm just not a stiff-string kinda guy. I want to practice all sorts of stuff and lighter strings facilitate that for me.

Anyway, glad you found your strings!

JoeyNaeger · #7 09-25-2006, 02:29 PM

How would you compare the stiffness of the original flexocors to the 92s? I found the 92's to be flabby under the bow on the A and E(this was with a stark E). I'm debating on what string to try after my set of helicores craps out.

Johnny L · #8 09-25-2006, 02:53 PM

Raise any E string action high enough and it'll feel like barbed wire.

Sure heavy strings are thicker and stronger, and they'll generate a slightly different tone... but heavy strings with super low action doesn't facilitate all bass technique whereas lighter strings with a higher action can (for me, anyway...I think LOL).

Anyway, I've personally never tried the stark flex's and don't know how they compare.

Dennis Whittaker is awesome BTW you study with him?

JoeyNaeger · #9 09-25-2006, 03:50 PM

I began studying with him this fall, and I love him! I've tried lighter strings before with a much higher action(I waited a long time to have my action setup) and it just doesn't work out for me. I always felt like I was constantly having to dig in. With the higher tension strings, the bass is definately vibrating more and it seems to give out sound more freely.

Aaron Saunders · #10 09-26-2006, 02:38 PM

RE: OFC vs. FCS

I haven't played the Original Flatchromes, but the Flatchromesteels are very nice strings. Low tension, bright. I mixed them with Obligatos to a nice effect, but their longevity is FAR longer than the Obligatos. Recently changed to a full set Dominants because I was getting tired of half of my bass sounding like butt (dead Obligatos) while the other half sounded great (nicely worn FCS.)