amplified synthetic strings

[scottmcstp]

anyone have some experience comparing syn-core
strings thru a pick-up/amp? I've used the cheap
SuperSensitive kind on the D and G, and loved the
tone acousticly, but thru a Realist and Eden amp
the tone was unusable...very thin and "hollow"
Are the new generation of synthetics better?
Are any of the comparisons on this site done with
an amplified set-up? thanks....
Scott Mc
St Paul, MN

[Francois Blais]

Did you try other steel D and G strings?
Helicores? Pirastros? Kolsteins?
The Red Super-Sensitive are usually considered to be quite cheap strings.
All the pros who use syn-core strings play amplified; Dave Young, Michael Moore, etc.

[scottmcstp]

Francois....thanks for the reply, I'm afraid my question was poorly stated. I've always used steel strings (Flexocores, etc). the Supersensitives I was talking about were their perlon core model
(I believe they're called Sensicores) I had Spiros
on the E and A and the syn-cores on the D and G.
As I said, I really liked the round attack and fat
tone of those strings and they were a joy to slap
because of their low tension. But the tone through
an amp was completely different, thin and hollow. So please let me ask roughly the same question;
is this tone problem typical with syn-core strings?
Is there a steel string that might give me the "beef"
I'm looking for on the D and G. I'd like the
"e" on the D string (whole tone above open) to sound like the "e" on the A string (5th above open).
I don't care about sustain or brightness and I could live with poor arco response for this particular set-up.
Any Ideas??.....

[Francois Blais]

Originally posted by scottmcstp
the Supersensitives I was talking about were their perlon core model
(I believe they're called Sensicores) I had Spiros
on the E and A and the syn-cores on the D and G.
As I said, I really liked the round attack and fat
tone of those strings and they were a joy to slap
because of their low tension. But the tone through
an amp was completely different, thin and hollow

What pickup do you use?
This may be related to the Sensicores only.
I'm not aware of that problem with Dominants, Obligatos or Innovations.
Both Obligato and Innovation G strings sound very loud on my EUB with piezo pickup. Far from thin and hollow!
But YMMV!

[scottmcstp]

thanks Francois, I'm using a Realist most of the time. I tried the Sensicores on a whim, because
they were inexpensive. I was doing an all-acoustic
gig so I didn't notice the weird amplified tone until
about a month later. I had had a similar experience
with those LaBella Supernils (that's probably why they are so inexpensive). I just wanted to hear some other players experiences before buying something pricey like the Velvets. Do you ever mix
steel E and A with synthetic D and G? if so, what sets? I have settled on Helicore med. orch. strings
as an all-around string for my basses, personally I think they sound nice for
pizz, but I realize that's just me. Should I refer any new questions to an existing topic threads? What is the proper etiquette? thanks...Scott Mc, St Paul, MN (USA)

[Francois Blais]

Originally posted by scottmcstp
thanks Francois, I'm using a Realist most of the time. [...] I just wanted to hear some other players experiences before buying something pricey like the Velvets.

There are other fine synthetics which are relatively inexpensive.
The Obligatos are the cheapest. ($89 a set at Quinn Violins I think)
The Innovations and the Dominants are slightly more expensive, but not as much as the Velvets.

Do you ever mix
steel E and A with synthetic D and G? if so, what sets?

I may go that way, I don't know yet. Some players (like C. Haden) are mixing gut with steel (Spirocores with Golden Spirals), so why not syn with steel?
I got an Innovation braided G and maybe I'll try the braided D too.
I have a Permanent A and a FlatChrome E.
But I play an electric upright, so your milage may vary...

I have settled on Helicore med. orch. strings as an all-around string for my basses, personally I think they sound nice for
pizz, but I realize that's just me.

So why not stay with them?

[scottmcstp]

why not stay with them? ...well, I guess i'm still
looking for that "fat" sound on the D and G.
thank you for your help...........Scott

[Chris Landry]

I have tried mixing the velvets with a steel string and it worked very well. I would've like to have heard what it would have sounded like new.
I mixed E and A string Heliocore with D and G string Compas 360. The Compas were about 5 months old and the E and A string from the Compas set had become too dead. The sound mixed well and it didn't rip my bass apart. Too bad Velvet won't sell by the string.....peace