Best Jazz/Classical string help

[rashleighp]

Hello, I've been playing bass for about 10 years. Mostly classical but a bit of jazz also. I am currently getting more serious about my jazz playing and was considering a set of new strings that work well for both styles.

I do not know what the strings I have at the moment are as they came with my bass, they are fine for classical but I find I never get the warmth I desire when I pizz.

I have heard good things of Pirastros Permanents and flat chromosteel for this, and also Helicore Hybrids.

Does anyone have any comparison of these strings thay can give me, or any ideas for other strings they have used.

Thanks

[nathanmcnathan]

Have you tried Obligatos? My school's bass has them, and it gets a decent bowed sound and I think it sounds great for pizz - very thumpy and darkish sounding.

[Eli_Upright12]

Evah Pirazzis, like obligatos on steroids

[nathanmcnathan]

Haven't tried them yet. They're better than the obligatos? I might have to convince my school to get a set.

[Eli_Upright12]

Originally Posted by nathanmcnathan

Haven't tried them yet. They're better than the obligatos? I might have to convince my school to get a set.

I never understood the idea of obligatos rolling until I tried the Evahs. They are like the obligatos in that they are really good at anything you can throw at them, but there tone is better all around and everyone seems to like the playability better. They only draw back is that they seem to be a little bit higher tension and "stiffer". You just have to adjust a little when they first go on.

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by Eli_Upright12

They only draw back is that they seem to be a little bit higher tension and "stiffer". You just have to adjust a little when they first go on.

When I tried the Evah A, it felt much too stiff for me.
What about the D, is it that stiff too?

Best regards,
François

Update:
went ahead and ordered the Evah D from Bob G.

Will give some feedback next week.
(I already have the Evah G)

[Michael Glynn]

There are a number of strings that can work well for jazz and classical. It largely depends on what kind of sound you are looking for. I've used a number of different strings for jazz/classical work, but they all have different sounds and pros/cons.

Evah Pirazzi - Big, full sound pizz and arco. Not as bright or as sustainy as Obligatos or many steel strings. Thick strings.

Corelli 370TX - Bright, clear sound for arco and pizz. I felt like they lacked a little "oomph" in the fundamental, though. Quite thin and low tension.

Flat Chromesteel - Similar to the Corellis, but a little nicer sounding (on my bass, in my opinion). Bright and clear, but easy to bow.

Helicore Orchestral (not hybrid) - Lean a little more towards the classical end, but I have always found them to have a very good jazz pizz sound as well, much better for this than other "orchestral" strings like flexocores or bel cantos in my opinion. A little darker and less sustain than the Corelli or Flat Chromesteel.


François,

In my experience, the Evah Pirazzis start quite stiff, but then become looser over time. It took several weeks before mine started to sound and feel really good.

[rashleighp]

The evah sound like a great string but I have has thick strings for a while and wouldnt mind something less tense. Once the they're worn in how does the tensity compare to others.

As for the corelli like you said I wouldn't mindmore ump but the tensness would be better. I'd quite like something inbetween an oldschool and new jazz sound.

Thanks so much for all your help so far, I'm a string buying newbie so you've certainly all helped.

[paulunger]

I play professionally in an orchestra and also play a lot of jazz. I have tried almost every string out there. In my opinion there is no perfect string for both jazz and classical (believe me I have tried!). If you only have one bass then I would get strings that are made for classical performing but are acceptable for jazz.
I would stay away from all Corelli's and the Helicore Hybrids. I like the Belcantos. If you want a thinner gauge and slightly brighter string then I really like the Permanents. The Evah's have a good pizz sound and bow decent - not as good as the others IMHO. They are also a very thick gauge.
Good luck.

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by Michael Glynn

François,

In my experience, the Evah Pirazzis start quite stiff, but then become looser over time. It took several weeks before mine started to sound and feel really good.

Thanks Michael!
I'll put back the A then.
I found the E quite deceptive though.
It was kind of floppy if I remember well.
Do you use it?

best,
François

[Michael Glynn]

Originally Posted by Francois Blais

Thanks Michael!
I'll put back the A then.
I found the E quite deceptive though.
It was kind of floppy if I remember well.
Do you use it?

best,
François

Yes, I am using the full set. The E string doesn't seem floppy compared to the other strings on my bass. I have the extended E/C string, though. I don't know if that makes a difference or not.

Originally Posted by rashleighp

The evah sound like a great string but I have has thick strings for a while and wouldnt mind something less tense. Once the they're worn in how does the tensity compare to others.

Once the EPs settled in, they feel like fairly low tension strings, not as low as corellis or obligatos, but much softer feeling than, say, spirocore mittels.

[txstatebass]

I'm going to put my $.02 in for velvet compas 180's as a low tension alternative. They sound great, bow great, and can be tuned up to solo pitch. A Good hybrid alternative.

[rashleighp]

Velvets sound great but I can't find a UK seller. Do they still work ok with transducers?

I think I'll prob go for Permanents unless anyone can suggest anything strongly against them, I had heard good things from other sources and threads on this forum

[Eli_Upright12]

Originally Posted by Francois Blais

When I tried the Evah A, it felt much too stiff for me.
What about the D, is it that stiff too?

Best regards,
François

Update:
went ahead and ordered the Evah D from Bob G.

Will give some feedback next week.
(I already have the Evah G)

The E and A were a bit of a pain at first, but I added a Marvin Wire Tailpiece which loosened everything up and my hands got a lot stronger over time.
The D and G were fine from the start, by my standards at least.

[rashleighp]

A new thought occured to me which is how long do synthetics last? I am but a poor student and could not afford to replace them every few months so should I probablygo for steels? (and in which case should i use Permanents)

[Eli_Upright12]

Most people have had their Evahs on since they came out over a year ago, that is if they liked them.

[Eric Swanson]

Originally Posted by rashleighp

A new thought occured to me which is how long do synthetics last? I am but a poor student and could not afford to replace them every few months so should I probablygo for steels? (and in which case should i use Permanents)

I remember being a poor student, so I don't take your plight lightly.

Haven't tried the Evahs so can't comment on them. There was a poll recently that seemed to show (when I last looked) that folks liked the Evahs and the Belcanto pretty evenly as hybrid strings, with an emphasis on good arco (as Paul Unger suggests). A lot of great players love the Evahs.

I expect my Belcantos to last for years, based on my previous experience with Thomastik strings. The Belcanto seems to be a good "Bb" string for a lot of different players; nice arco with decent jazz sustain. A lot of great players love the Belcantos.

Permanents are brighter, with decent jazz sustain (a lot of great players love them, too! ), Belcantos are darker, Evahs are thicker. Hard to say what will be killing on your bass.

I think that Belcantos are less expensive than the other two options and will last a long time. There's a happy, relevant thought, for anyone whose cash flow is temporarily challenged...

[charlespf]

I know I'm coming in pretty late on this thread, but I thought I'd add my .02.

I'm also a poor student, so I definitely understand your situation.
I would recommend that you just go ahead and try a set of Spirocores for a while. Learning to sound good on those is one of the best things you can do for your playing.
They are THE jazz pizz string, and once you learn how to get that fundamental out of them, they sound fantastic.

Arco, they aren't the most forgiving strings at first, but pretty soon you'll learn how to pull a beautiful sound out of them. Also, the more they break in, the easier they'll be to bow. They were originally designed as an orchestral string.

[Rebop]

Thomastik Superflexibles are cheap steels and sound good for pizz and arco. I've been using the same set on and off for years. I also used a set of Helicore Hybrids (D'Addario) for 8 years straight!

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by Rebop

Thomastik Superflexibles are cheap steels and sound good for pizz and arco.

I'd change that word with affordable.
I'm sure that's what you meant, and is a more appropriate word I think.
Cheap sounds too much negative for me.

Best,
François