Chromecore Steel vs. Obligato

Comrade Lewis · #1 10-03-2004, 07:31 PM

I was wondering what you guy's opinion is with Chromecore steel vs. obligato's. Right now i have some obligato's on my bass and they really sound great, i play orchestra and solo music manly, but i do need a good loud sound for when i do play jazz. If not these strings what strings can you reccomend for me (preferrably under $160)?

Bubbabass · #2 10-03-2004, 08:36 PM

My German bass works well with Ob G and D, but needed Spirocore Weich A and E to get it done. The Ob A and E had too much roll when starting an arco note, and wouldn't speak quickly. The Spirocore Weichs are a little less bright than regular Spirocores, but both are very unforgiving of faulty bow technique. Your results may vary. Good luck.

olivier · #3 10-04-2004, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comrade Lewis

I was wondering what you guy's opinion is with Chromecore steel vs. obligato's. Right now i have some obligato's on my bass and they really sound great, i play orchestra and solo music manly, but i do need a good loud sound for when i do play jazz. If not these strings what strings can you reccomend for me (preferrably under $160)?

Chromecor are solid steel core: very stiff and thumpy pizzwise, arco is nicer. That's the stiffer strings I ever had on my bass, they stayed less than one day.

Six month ago I was having the same dilema: Oblis have a sweet arco tone, nice fundamental etc, but tend to lack the required punch for pizz/jazz. I was offered to try Pirastro Jazzers. They are much louder and brighter and do a better job than Oblis re pizz. I found they have a better dynamic range for arco (I am currently working on Eccles sonata). I like them, they are worth trying. Note that it took them about a month to settle down before open string arco becomes manageable.

Other possiblilities IMO: Spiro orch or Superflex.

**Francois Blais** · #4 10-04-2004, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comrade Lewis

I was wondering what you guy's opinion is with Chromecore steel vs. obligato's. Right now i have some obligato's on my bass and they really sound great, i play orchestra and solo music manly, but i do need a good loud sound for when i do play jazz. If not these strings what strings can you reccomend for me (preferrably under $160)?

Are you talking of Pirastro FlatChromesteels or Chromcors?
Olivier described the Chromcors right.
FlatChromesteels are available in Original or regular ones.
The Originals are orchestral strings, with the E & A quite thick and dark sounding, and the D & G thinner and brighter. (mostly the G, as the D is not bright per se)
The regular FlatChromesteels are thinner strings, with a clear tone, and designed as a hybrid string; for both pizz and arco work.

HTH!

Chasarms · #5 10-04-2004, 09:03 AM

As mentioned, Chromecor is an all-steel string.

My teacher uses them.

From what I gather, they are very-well suited for the symphony because they allow you to generate a huge amount of string energy. On big, old and open orch. basses, if you have the hands to handle them, they sound amazing.

I would think the bass would need to resonate well under high tension and have a fairly strong fundamental to work well with them.

**Francois Blais** · #6 10-04-2004, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chasarms

I would think the bass would need to resonate well under high tension and have a fairly strong fundamental to work well with them.

Although the strings are stiff due to the solid-core, I'm not sure they are high tension. They feel high tension, but the strings may be loaded at normal tension.
Solid steel is less elastic than steel rope-core.

Comrade Lewis · #7 10-04-2004, 04:20 PM

sorry, i was talking about pirastro flatchrome steels, i got the names mixed up, my bad

greitzer · #8 10-09-2004, 11:40 PM

Comrade -- I've been using the Flat Chromesteels for a little over a year now, and I think they are a good hybrid string. Strong, clear arco sound, and good strong pizz as well with long sustain (except for the E string- I replaced it with a Spirocore Medium E, because the Flat Chromesteel E was too vague). I haven't tried Obligatos yet so I can't compare the two. The Flat Chromesteels are the best string I've tried yet, for both types of playing. They are head and shoulders above the Helicore Orchestras that I had before.