alternative to spirocore solo for classical recital

jeremie24 · #1 01-15-2013, 03:22 PM

Hi guys,

I recently discover the pleasure to play in solo tuning (I'm a professional but as I have perfect pitch, it's very difficult for me to play a C and hear a D, and I'm a lazy guy!...) and I'm a big fan of spirocore. They bow very well

, just a bit metallic at the beginning but so singing and powerful in high register, specially for Bottesini I think... the thing is sometimes I want something a little darker cause my little French bass for solo works is very clear... I need a low tension string...and still powerful... I don't know what to try. I like also Pirastro, but between flexocor, flexocor deluxe, passionne, flat chrom steel I don't know what to choose, especially for solo tuning... maybe you can help me with some advice ? thank a lot!
(excuse for my english I'm french!)

Jeremie

ThomClaire · #2 01-15-2013, 06:02 PM

I'm curious to know what you mean by "play a C and hear a D"?

EDIT: I guess the logical thing is that since you switched to solo you are playing a D,which is where C is on regular tuning [EADG]?

Bobby King · #3 01-15-2013, 06:42 PM

Corelli 360 might be worth a try.

Matt Burri · #4 01-15-2013, 10:48 PM

I used solo dominants and was very happy with the sound. Bright, powerful, complex, and really easy to bow. I think I've heard solo flatchrome steel is popular, but I'm not totally sure.

eerbrev · #5 01-16-2013, 09:04 AM

Solo dominants with Spirocores on the bottom is a choice i've used a few times and I really enjoyed it. Once you take half an hour to figure out the kind of bow touch you need to get a good start to the note, they are one of the most reliable-sounding strings I've ever used. Stable pitch, pretty easy on the hands, and they just keep on giving as you bring the bow closer to the bridge.

They also have the virtue of being pretty easy to come by: they're a popular solo string.

Hector Wolff · #6 01-16-2013, 05:04 PM

Why not try the Belcantos? I believe there is a solo version available.

In my opionion they are easy to bow, are darker, they sing nicely, and they have a soft feel (low tension).

jeremie24 · #7 01-17-2013, 01:07 PM

Thanks for the advices guys ! I think I will try solo dominants. I don't know anybody who plays them in Paris, but why not me ? I'll tell you what I think.
I'm not a big fan of Belcantos, sound a bit "monochrome" to me... same problem with Obligato and Evah... round and beautiful sound, but always the same... (to me !) In this case, it's a matter of taste !

zimoo · #8 01-17-2013, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremie24

Thanks for the advices guys ! I think I will try solo dominants. I don't know anybody who plays them in Paris, but why not me ? I'll tell you what I think.
I'm not a big fan of Belcantos, sound a bit "monochrome" to me... same problem with Obligato and Evah... round and beautiful sound, but always the same... (to me !) In this case, it's a matter of taste !

If you have a french Bass and for Solo work then take Corelli 370 TX which have most high tension in corelli line but low tension than any other medium tension string.
Low tension than other string but most solid and comfort feel on left hand. They has Very characterful and idiomatic sound. You will enjoy and make Gary Karr sound.

.

jeremie24 · #9 01-18-2013, 03:08 AM

Corelli sounds good also, I know Rabbath uses them on his Quenoil bass (very close to mine)... if it's not too floppy, why not ? I'm really used to spirocore cause you can push them and it's not tiring for left hand... the sound is bright but sometimes too nasal on the G, It's difficult to find an alternative... also I love big sustain and resonance. the perfect string would be Eudoxas, but too much problem with this string, and too much effort in thumb position..