Belcanto, Flat Chromesteel, Corelli 380M comparison

[Basschair]

So, an interesting thing is going on in my household right now. Last night I put on a Bel Canto G and Corelli 380M D & A. This morning I'll be receiving new Flat Chromesteel G,D, and A strings, so I'll be doing a comparison of the three strings...something of a "higher-expense ($184), middle-expense ($145), lower expense ($69)" comparison. I've used FCS strings before and they worked well, though I haven't had a new one on in a while. I'm new to Bel Cantos and to Corelli 380Ms, and am so far very pleased with both.

If anyone is interested in a comparison (as coming from this one user's bass), I'd be happy to report on them...

[Jake deVilliers]

Of course we're interested Paul!

We'll need as detailed a description as you can come up with of the sound and feel of all three.

Awaiting your adjective-laden posts with bated breath.

Jake

[Marcus Johnson]

Absolutely.... the price difference thang makes it interesting to me.

[Basschair]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Absolutely.... the price difference thang makes it interesting to me.

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

Of course we're interested Paul!

We'll need as detailed a description as you can come up with of the sound and feel of all three.

Awaiting your adjective-laden posts with bated breath.

Jake

Yeah, I'm already wanting to start typing my description, but will hold off until at least this afternoon. Suffice to say that the Bel Canto has so far lived up to its rep., and the Corelli 380M has surprised me to no end. I'm still waiting for Fedex to deliver the FCS...

[Basschair]

Setup: Wilfer custom solid carved bass, 7 years old, deeper ribs, heavy-duty sound, using a couple different bows (Ary, (AH) Bob Golihur model, others). I left my Spiro Weich E on for now as I'm just too happy with it to switch. So, I auditioned A, D, and G.


Okay...

Bel Canto: I won't say a whole lot just because a lot has already been said in the BC thread. Absolutely excellent bow response, warm and focused, not very brilliant but definitely a very round, clear sound. Good sustain, especially for an "orchestral" string. Responds VERY well to bouncing strokes. Singing upper register: one thing that bugs me about some strings is that in the 4-5-6 positions, they lose some of their dynamic responsiveness. These were much more flexible. Capable of doing double-duty, though I wouldn't spend the money unless I was taking the bow to them at least some of the time. In the $180 range and seemingly worth every penny.

Corelli 380M: I've used all the tensions (except for solo) in the 370 tungsten Corellis, and I really do like them after they've been broken in. Not too metallic sounding, fairly loud, feel great under the fingers when moving fast. This was my first try with the 380 nickel strings: I heard they were darker...well, not by a whole lot. These were put on after being broken in a bit, so I can't speak as to the sound immediately out of the envelope. First off, very low tension as you would expect from the Corelli mediums. They bow very well, and the pizz (though not as loud as a higher tension string might be) just rang forever. The 380's made my bass sound extremely "woody," with moderate brightness. It's almost as if they were 370M's with a bit less metal-sound, and a lot more warmth...a big plus for my tastes.

Not as focused as the BC's, but an overall sparkling sound without as much of the tinny nature of the 370 series. At $69 from Lemur, definitely worth the price if you're looking for lower tension, more acrobatic strings. They could pass as hybrid-type strings...though there are probably better choices.

Pirastro Flat Chromesteels: I've got this love/hate relationship with these strings. Out of the envelope, they are really, really bright. The initial blinding, scortching brightness wears off relatively quickly, and the warmth starts bleeding through. Still, some brightness lingers for a while. The weird thing is that there will be times when I could swear I've completely broken them in, only to be caught off-guard by a warm-up session that's riddled with scratchy partials coming through. That could be my sloppy bowing though .

The FCS strings have a tension that feels closer to the BC's, though when given moderate to heavy bow pressure they dance like crazy, and may need just the slightest raising of the action. The upper register is extremely bold: it will cut through and be heard loud and clear, so you'd better have your intonation solid.

I'll probably come back and edit this post a bit, but need to cut it short for now (my lovely wife is calling). In the $140 range, these strings are fantastic, though I like them much more after significant breaking-in.

[Uncletoad]

Nice. Keep posting as you get used to them.

I hate strings.

I love strings.

[Jake deVilliers]

"I hate strings.

I love strings."

I know what you mean Phil: they keep getting between me and the instrument.

[Basschair]

On the Corellis, I've got to amend my earlier comments. The G just doesn't do it for me. It's just too thin, both in construction and sound.

[hdiddy]

Originally Posted by CHAIRBASSCHIPPENDALE

On the Corellis, I've got to amend my earlier comments. The G just doesn't do it for me. It's just too thin, both in construction and sound.

The G on the 370F's is just really awful as well. Everything else seemed ok when I tried them.

BTW: I know what you mean about the scratchiness on the FCS now after spending some time with the pain 'o stick last night. The A & D are fine, it's the G that gets weird. There is a slight nasalness to it too, but not as bad as other strings I've tried. Seems like you have to hit it just right and not apply too much pressure. Pizz-wise, there's no nasalness to the G at all and it sounds pretty good.

Question tho: does your FCS G come with a rubber washer? I assumed it was to dampen the string just like the felt washers so I kept it on when I installed the string.

[Basschair]

Originally Posted by hdiddy

The G on the 370F's is just really awful as well. Everything else seemed ok when I tried them.

BTW: I know what you mean about the scratchiness on the FCS now after spending some time with the pain 'o stick last night. The A & D are fine, it's the G that gets weird. There is a slight nasalness to it too, but not as bad as other strings I've tried. Seems like you have to hit it just right and not apply too much pressure. Pizz-wise, there's no nasalness to the G at all and it sounds pretty good.

Question tho: does your FCS G come with a rubber washer? I assumed it was to dampen the string just like the felt washers so I kept it on when I installed the string.

Yup, that's where the "hate" part of my comment comes in . I've spent a lot of time trying to get the G-technique down.

I didn't get a rubber washer of any sort with mine: I've got the felt disks on all of them, though. So far, I haven't ever seen rubber one, though I'm sure someone else here can fess up to having one. Where did you get your set?

[Basschair]

I love FCS strings, but I just can't justify keeping them on the bass. Although a superb hybrid string, I don't consider them a 50/50 pizz/arco string. It's more like 65/35 pizz/arco. Since I'm more of a bow guy who does the pizz too, they just won't do it in the long run.

The Belcantos are more like 20/80 pizz/arco. They have a refined pizz sound, something I'd expect in a plucked section of an orchestra bass section, maybe not so much from a jazz bassist...of course, that's just my tastes. They could use just a hint of sparkle, and a bit more sustain, though not much.

Corelli 380M: again, stay away from the G. The D/A are nice and woody, and are easier to bow than the FCS, though not as easy as the BC's. I like the fact that they have more sustain than the Belcantos, but are darker than the tungston version of the Corelli strings.

Right now, I'm strung Sprio Weich E, 380 A/D, Belcanto G (excellent sound all the way up the fingerboard.

[kwd]

Originally Posted by Basschair

Corelli 380M: again, stay away from the G. The D/A are nice and woody, and are easier to bow than the FCS, though not as easy as the BC's. I like the fact that they have more sustain than the Belcantos, but are darker than the tungston version of the Corelli strings.

After getting frustrated with the D-G string crossings on the 380s, I took them off in a fit of rage and walked them out to the garbage can. However, I have the 370s on now and I couldn't be happier. You still have to be very deliberate on the crossing but overall they seem better in than the 380s. Also, the windings on the 380s seemed rougher to me. Still, the wimpy E notwithstanding, I'd be comfortable recommending the 380s to budget minded pizz only players.

To me, the 370s sound more forward than the 380s but I wouldn't say that they (370s) are exceedingly bright.

[Basschair]

I think you're right in that the 370's aren't overly bright, just brighter. I loved my 370's, and would still use them if they spoke louder on my bass. As it is, the 380M strings are a bit quiet, but I can deal with it. I couldn't comment on the windings as it's been a while since I used the 370Ms, but it wouldn't surprise me.

After spending lots of cash in the past month on strings, I don't mind being a little budget-minded...and my wife really likes it

Originally Posted by kwd

After getting frustrated with the D-G string crossings on the 380s, I took them off in a fit of rage and walked them out to the garbage can. However, I have the 370s on now and I couldn't be happier. You still have to be very deliberate on the crossing but overall they seem better in than the 380s. Also, the windings on the 380s seemed rougher to me. Still, the wimpy E notwithstanding, I'd be comfortable recommending the 380s to budget minded pizz only players.

To me, the 370s sound more forward than the 380s but I wouldn't see that they (370s) are exceedingly bright.

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by Basschair

Corelli 380M: again, stay away from the G. The D/A are nice and woody, and are easier to bow than the FCS, though not as easy as the BC's. I like the fact that they have more sustain than the Belcantos, but are darker than the tungston version of the Corelli strings.

Right now, I'm strung Sprio Weich E, 380 A/D, Belcanto G (excellent sound all the way up the fingerboard.

What do you think of the 380M E string?
I may put back the 380Ms on my EUB, but as far as I recall, the E was, although very nice sounding, quite easy to overplay.
The G gets deeper after a couple of weeks.
As with any other steel G string, using a Pirastro rubber tone filter helps a lot to reduce the brightness and sustain.

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by kwd

Still, the wimpy E notwithstanding, I'd be comfortable recommending the 380s to budget minded pizz only players.

You're talking about the Ms, no?
The TX are heavier, but the E is even stranger IMO.
Very stiff and bizarre sounding...

What would you recommend as a replacement for the 380M E, while still using the other strings?
BassChair uses a weich E, but I don't think I'd get a balanced tone with that.

[Basschair]

Originally Posted by francois

What do you think of the 380M E string?
I may put back the 380Ms on my EUB, but as far as I recall, the E was, although very nice sounding, quite easy to overplay.
The G gets deeper after a couple of weeks.
As with any other steel G string, using a Pirastro rubber tone filter helps a lot to reduce the brightness and sustain.

Hey Francois,

Where can I get one of those rubber tone filters?

As far as the E goes, I haven't had the chance to try it, as I'm fairly set on the Weich for now. I may even go back to the Mittel eventually, though the Weich does really well in 4/5 positions. I bought a bass for the music program I run over here, and I've got it strung with 370Fs that are doing the job nicely. I could slip the 380 E on and get back to you on it...

[hdiddy]

The tone filter just looks like a 1/8" rubber washer, maybe a little thicker. They're kinda wide, like about 1". You can prob just go to the hardware store and pickup a bunch. The only problem is that the hole in the middle needs to be as small as possible so that it catches the ball of the string enough.

[Basschair]

Originally Posted by hdiddy

The tone filter just looks like a 1/8" rubber washer, maybe a little thicker. They're kinda wide, like about 1". You can prob just go to the hardware store and pickup a bunch. The only problem is that the hole in the middle needs to be as small as possible so that it catches the ball of the string enough.

So it's similar to the felt rings some strings come with, but has more dampening properties?

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by Basschair

So it's similar to the felt rings some strings come with, but has more dampening properties?

Yes, but thinner, and the string doesn't go through the filter as the felt washers do. (the felts are to protect the back of the tailpiece against the ball pull)

They come in the Pirastro steel G string's envelope.
At least, they used to...
But you can ask Pirastro and they will ship you a few ones.

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by Basschair

As far as the E goes, I haven't had the chance to try it, as I'm fairly set on the Weich for now. [...] I could slip the 380 E on and get back to you on it...

Do you feel the Weich mix well with the 380M A/D?

That makes me think my solo Spiro E (F#) might do the job...
More l8r...