An alternative to Belcantos for an orchestral player

**Basschair** · #1 04-27-2007, 11:06 PM

I loved Belcantos, but they just aren't 100% right for my bass.

I've tried Dominants and Obligatos, both didn't do it for me though I admit that I didn't give them a whole lot of time.

I like the projection of Spiros, but I've got to be honest with myself: I'm a bower, and pizz is completely secondary...I just can't deal with any scratchiness, as I bow 99% of the time, acoustically as well as amped.

I'm one of those "I like smooth, supple feel, lower tension, but more than anything need them to be bowable" types of players. In other words, I'm picky.

At any rate, to keep it short: what strings are similar to Belcantos in bowability (or better than), but are a little softer/less tension...

Velvet 180 suit perhaps?

Cory Palmer · #2 04-27-2007, 11:22 PM

I've heard that Bel Cantos were meant to compete with Flexocor originals. Flexocors definitely have a higher tension but are great for bowing. I put on Obligatos a few weeks ago and they are growing on me. For the first week or so I wasn't too sure about them but once they started to settle in and I got used to how to play on them I started to like them.

mahlerbass · #3 04-27-2007, 11:37 PM

I'll first admit that I don't have alot of experience with different strings.

I'm an arco-focused player myself, and I think you may like the strings I use right now - Jargar mediums. They "drive" my bass quite nicely. The bass is a quality, yet very new, carved bass. It is very bright and loud, and the Jargars have a super smooth, very dark sound, (not flexocor dark, though) and they balance out my tone quite well, and give it the quality that I desire most, which is "spread" (projection).

Normally I would recommend Flexocors without hesitation, but since you like tension on the lower side, like me, I think Jargars might satisfy your arco needs. However, if you like a somewhat "agressive" arco sound, then I dont think you would like them, as they do seem to sound "soft".

Ive never tried the Velvet strings you mentioned, but my impression from those who have tried them say they are not easy to bow.

JoeyNaeger · #4 04-28-2007, 08:52 AM

The Flexocor 92's aren't particularly high tension and have a very pleasing tone. The originals are going to be harder to play.

Istar · #5 04-28-2007, 02:33 PM

maybe the new Pirastro strings who are about to come out soon. They are mentioned in another thread. They are synthetic strings so they should be low tension.
Evah Pirazzi I think ?

**Basschair** · #6 04-28-2007, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Istar

maybe the new Pirastro strings who are about to come out soon. They are mentioned in another thread. They are synthetic strings so they should be low tension.
Evah Pirazzi I think ?

http://shop1.mailordercentral.com/le...s.asp?dept=162

I looks like Lemur has them in (I don't have confirmation), and that price is way, way steep for me...

reedo35 · #7 04-28-2007, 08:07 PM

Has anyone heard anything about the new eurosonic orchestral strings? Rumor has it they are like obligatos, jargers, olivs and flexocores all blended together for $140.00

Anonymous75966 · #8 04-28-2007, 09:29 PM

Sorry for such a pedestrian suggestion, but - have you ever tried the D'Addario hybrids? I never liked them on my own bass, but recently had the loan of an old Bohemian that sounded great with them. I personally wouldn't call them high tension, though I can't compare to the Belcantos.

If you like the projection of the Spirocores, I've found Permanents to have the same presence, but much more bowable - better arco than pizz string imho. However, they're not as high tension as some orchestral strings but not exactly low tension either ...

dchan · #9 04-29-2007, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reedo35

Has anyone heard anything about the new eurosonic orchestral strings? Rumor has it they are like obligatos, jargers, olivs and flexocores all blended together for $140.00

I'd love to confirm these rumors if these were ever available. I think Ken Smith has some used prototypes or test sets available.

We are at this moment experiencing several new arco/hybrid that have come into the market. I've heard a good review of the new Eurosonic orchestral strings. Most people are raving about the Belcantos. And we are all eagerly anticipating the new Evah Pirazzi strings that are about to come out in a month or so. Good times.

**Francois Blais** · #10 04-29-2007, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyNaeger

The Flexocor 92's aren't particularly high tension and have a very pleasing tone. The originals are going to be harder to play.

Furthemore, the 92's available in three gauges!
(plus solo-tuning)

**Francois Blais** · #11 04-29-2007, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dchan

I'd love to confirm these rumors if these were ever available. I think Ken Smith has some used prototypes or test sets available.

I got a prototype set of the new Presto Balance orchestral set. (Presto is Eurosonic here)

Very nice string, but the E was not well balanced with the others.
They are working on it I think.
I found the set (E excepted) to be relatively high tension and somewhat bright.
More of an hybrid string, IMHO.

**Basschair** · #12 04-29-2007, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Chokroun

Sorry for such a pedestrian suggestion, but - have you ever tried the D'Addario hybrids? I never liked them on my own bass, but recently had the loan of an old Bohemian that sounded great with them. I personally wouldn't call them high tension, though I can't compare to the Belcantos.

No D'Addarios have worked out on my bass (pizz, orch, or hybrid), though I know what you mean: I played a 5 string Pollman a few months back with D'Addario orchestrals, and it was amazing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dchan

And we are all eagerly anticipating the new Evah Pirazzi strings that are about to come out in a month or so. Good times.

Lemur has them listed as being in stock, for a little over $300...can anyone confirm it?

Rodger Bryan · #13 05-03-2007, 10:09 PM

I have gotten great results with D'Addario Helicore Mediums on my 1940's Juzek. Primarily used as an orchestral bass, believe it or not, but the orchestra mediums have actually worked out as a "hybrid" string on my particular bass.

This Juzek has a very loud voice and a 41 7/8" string length. I switched from original Flexocor to the Helicore mediums because I needed less tension and a quicker bow response. The bass responds better and is easier to play. I have been watching the BelCanto thread with great interest, but I have yet to jump on board because I do roughly 30% jazz pizz playing.

Richard_Ratner · #14 05-08-2007, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dchan

I'd love to confirm these rumors if these were ever available. I think Ken Smith has some used prototypes or test sets available.

We are at this moment experiencing several new arco/hybrid that have come into the market. I've heard a good review of the new Eurosonic orchestral strings. Most people are raving about the Belcantos. And we are all eagerly anticipating the new Evah Pirazzi strings that are about to come out in a month or so. Good times.

Hi, I am "R" of JR Music, the importer of Eurosonic. Eurosonic orchestral strings have existed for a few years. Frankly, the sets that we have had until the recent overhaul were mediocre. However, a total redesign, introduction of an interesting new material made in the US of all places, and final sound refinement with the aid of Ken Smith have produced a string that seems, at this initial stage, to be at the top of the market, especially when price is factored in. Ken has finished production sets for sale in what is now called the "Light" tension. He believes that these will ultimately be called "Medium", because he feels that they will be good for many more players than the set presently called Medium, which he suggests calling High Tension. Based on initial feedback, I would say that it will be very difficult to find a set with as much to offer at the price he is selling them for. Other dealers are in the process of testing them. I encourage anyone interested to give Eurosonics a try.

Uncletoad · #15 05-08-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basschair

Lemur has them listed as being in stock, for a little over $300...can anyone confirm it?

My supplier has said these strings have yet to be delivered. The Lemur add is premature and the price ridiculous.

According to the distributor they are supposed to be in the normal price range and will be available in June.

**Basschair** · #16 05-08-2007, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

My supplier has said these strings have yet to be delivered. The Lemur add is premature and the price ridiculous.

According to the distributor they are supposed to be in the normal price range and will be available in June.

Thanks Phil,

I was just about to update this thread to say that I got ahold of Lemur, and their listing is basically a placeholder for when the strings actually arrive (late June). It looks like the price they have listed is just the suggested price, and the street price (as you've said) will be lower. Not that my wife will want me spending any more than, say, $5.00