best strings for hawkes concert

[Grottessini]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could advise which strings best suit this beast. Although I want to keep the essence of what a hawkes does (ie make alot of noise), I am also having to play typical audition pieces on it too. Everyone seems to be talking about Thomastik Belcantos as being the 'easiest' string with a nice big sound but they only seem to come in 3/4 size.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

D

[Jeremy Darrow]

I have two basses strung with Belcantos now, both are 7/8ths, one has an extension and the strings fit just fine. I like the strings and I'm pretty sure they will fit your Hawkes. You could contact Thomastik to be sure, but I'll bet someone who knows more about it will come along and reply soon.

Jeremy

[Salty]

I think it's very important to first ask (if you haven't already thought about it) what is the primary use of the potential strings? I also have a Hawkes Concert - currently I use gut strings. It sounds as if you just didn't include a description of exactly where your focus is - if you own one of our monsters it's pretty obvious you're serious! I would like to hear more!

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Salty

I think it's very important to first ask (if you haven't already thought about it) what is the primary use of the potential strings? I also have a Hawkes Concert - currently I use gut strings. It sounds as if you just didn't include a description of exactly where your focus is - if you own one of our monsters it's pretty obvious you're serious! I would like to hear more!

Is the Concert model a roundback? Are they from Germany or France? Outer rib linings? Anyone know? I heard that only the Panormo models with the 'H' on the Back and finished in Oil (not Spirit) were the ones actually made in London. I would love to see a few of these various models to compare. We hear so much about them but rarely see any pictures.

[Grottessini]

Furthering on from Salty's reply, anyone whos played these instruments knows that they have a huge dark sound which is best suited to heavy orchestral playing (which is frankly where most of our work is.) I've just bought this bass and it needs some serious setting up. However, I will need to be playing some solo stuff on it (in normal tuning) so was trying to find a string set that has the power but a clean brighter sound for the thumb position stuff. Or maybe a combination of strings that work consistantly. I also play alt of fast stuff (Beethoven symphonies) so preferably something very responsive.

Is there such a string? I guess I'm asking for everything!

[Francois Blais]

Corellis have a clear, cello-like tone.
The 370M set is used and endorsed by François Rabbath.
However I'm not sure you'd get the depth and power needed for heavy orchestral playing.

Maybe Pirastro Permanents.
The top strings are clearer while the lower strings are darker and could be well suited to the orchestral needs.

HTH,
François

[Salty]

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

Is the Concert model a roundback? Are they from Germany or France? Outer rib linings? Anyone know? I heard that only the Panormo models with the 'H' on the Back and finished in Oil (not Spirit) were the ones actually made in London. I would love to see a few of these various models to compare. We hear so much about them but rarely see any pictures.

Hi Ken - yes, mine in a swellback more than roundback I would say. Mine doesn't have any initial on the back, but all things point to mine being made in Germany. It's a 1907 label.

There are pics on my website that may give the views you wanted matthewrybickimusic.com

Let me know if you want more. Best, Matt

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Salty

Hi Ken - yes, mine in a swellback more than roundback I would say. Mine doesn't have any initial on the back, but all things point to mine being made in Germany. It's a 1907 label.

There are pics on my website that may give the views you wanted matthewrybickimusic.com

Let me know if you want more. Best, Matt

Well, Swellback and Roundback actually mean the same thing. It's a carved Back and not a Flatback. If it was plywood pressed into its shape, I could see the word 'swell' applying a bit more but in essence they mean the same.

I just played a nice Hawkes Panormo (1921) at Arnold's yesterday. Huge sounding Bass and very English all the way. I have heard about these Basses all of my life but I think this was the first I ever played that I can recall.

The Concert models I have seen look almost identical with the exception of the outer Rib linings on the Concert (German I presume) and the French gears used instead of the English Baker type as seen on the Panormo's.

Here's some pics from a London shop to show what I mean;



I have been looking at the Panormo Hawkes for quite some time while it was in restoration. Yesterday was the first time I was able to sit down and play it for awhile post-restoration. Beautiful Basses these are by the way. This one was strung with Orig. Flexocors by the way. Sorry for going off-topic a bit..

[Salty]

Ken - thanks for the update regarding Arnold's Hawkes. You say it's the Panormo? I'd love to play it.

Please let me know if you hear of any Professors for sale.

Regarding the swell/round back - I hear what you're saying. I made the distinction because with the relatively dramatic break from the button downwards, it "softens" the curve a bit. If that makes sense. Of course I know you're familiar with so many basses I assume you know what I mean.

My point is that it's not as much of a "bubble" like a generic German might be.