Flat Chrome or Obligato

[jhelsley]

Best for switch hitting pizz/arco?

[robgrow]

I had Obligatos on one of my basses awhile back and didn't like them. I've played FCS on other people's basses and thought they were OK, but nothing outstanding. It seems to me there are other choices such as Thomastik Super Flexibles, which are very good for pizz, but are a little more arco friendly than Spirocores. It took me while to get used to them, but I really like Thomastik Belcantos now. They're very good for arco, yet are good for pizz as well. Another string to consider is Thomastik Dominants, which I would definitely recommend over Obligatos.

[Steve Boisen]

Originally Posted by jhelsley

Best for switch hitting pizz/arco?

Obligatos all the way. My hybrid string search was over once I tried them.

That's my $.02

- Steve

[Bobby King]

I'd say Obligatos bow better than FCS or Superflex. They are excellent for pizz too. They have a hint of gut sound to them and are somewhat less bright than steel-core strings.

[Michael Glynn]

I'd say it depends on exactly what sound you are looking for. I've never had Obligatos on my bass, but I've played them on a number of other basses. If you are looking for a slightly warmer, "guttier" sound for pizz and arco, Obligatos (or some of the other synthetic core strings, like Kolstein Heritage) are great. If on the other hand, you like the bright Spirocore sound but want something that bows a little cleaner, the FCS are great (Superflexibles or Helicore Hybrids would be other options in this direction, though I prefer the FCS).

[onemother]

On Bob Gollihur's review of Obligatos (http://urbbob.com/strings.html), he wrote: "Not for use with magnetic pickups."

A couple of questions:

1.) I have an old Underwood pickup. Is that a magnetic pickup?

2.) Has anyone had a bad experience with Obligatos with Underwood or any magnetic pickup?

Thanks in advance.

[Reuben]

Underwood is a piezo, not magnetic.

[jhelsley]

Looks like folks seem to be leaning toward the Obligatos?

[Chasarms]

There is no best here, IMO. Both can work well as a "hybrid" string. But, they sound very different.

FCS is a typical steel string, a bit spirocore like when pizzed with less mid growl and a little more clarity. Definitely a bright string. Arco is a clear, celloish, singing tone somewhere in the Corelli mode.

Obigato is a perlon (nylon) core string. More tubby and darker sounding when pizzed. They're MUCH more supple under the left hand than most any string and are easily overplayed. Arco, they start fairly easily but on my bass, offered a goose honk kind of sound, especially the G.

I don't like them at all for arco, as they don't push back against the bow at all. They give too easily, IMO, under even modest bow pressure.


Given only the two, I prefer the Flat Chromesteel.

[jhelsley]

...so if you could widen the field a little...what would be your favorite choice?

[Chasarms]

Originally Posted by jhelsley

...so if you could widen the field a little...what would be your favorite choice?

If you want a darker, tubbier pizz, along with Obligato, I'd consider TI Dominant, Pirastro Permanents or even the the new TI Belcanto.

Both bow very well and Dominants pizz well also. Opinions are mixed on the Belcanto pizz. I am playing them and like it just fine. Others have been less appreciative.

If you are looking for a brighter, clearer sound, maybe Corellis? Although, in that realm, I think the FCS is the ticket.

[rdwhit]

Jack, I've been using FCS. Better than corelli IMHO. To me they seem like a combination of the best qualities of weichs and obligatos.Easy low tension,good sustain, bow without scratchiness. I'll bet they are smoother with the philistine bow(inside stuff, don't attempt to go there). But I'm still looking for something better. I think the obligatos are hard to walk w/ uptempo stuff.
GOOD GOD MAN

[jhelsley]

...with the weighing in of GOOD GOD MAN it would seem we have a definitive answer.
Thanks Rob!
Between the Philistine bow and the Spiros, my section-mates are sure I’m the Devil Beast…
I’ll expect the FCS’s to leave my breath minty fresh!

[brianh]

Hi Jack,

Hope all is well with you, haven't seen you in a while. I really liked Obligato on my bass and they sounded great in orchestra. To get a feeling for their jazz sound check out a recent John Clayton recording. I think Scott Colley also uses them on the top 2 strings...

[vier-personen]

hey!

I thought I´d throw in my view, as just yesterday I had the chance to play Obligato, Belcanto and some eastern-european string (the luthier told me so, can´t remember the name) on my bass.
I´d like to add that I am mostly a jazz player in the widest sense. I do play a lot of arco, but no classical gigs.

I play obligato for the last 3 years or so, have used up 2 sets in this time.
I really like the sound. What I don´t like about the string is that it has a loose feel on the right hand, especially when bowed (as mentioned in another reply above).

I really wanted to try different strings because of that, and I was excited that the luthier I was at to fit a new bridge had a set of Belcanto (which are still only available in the US, not in europe ) he had on a another bass, and we put on the E- and A-string.
I think for arco it is a very good string, bow controll is great, very precise, as is the sound, focused but still warm. Funny enough, the arco sound was very similiar to the Obligato D and G, and the luthier even suggested I keep this setup.
The pizzicato was a mixed experience. The attack/decay is definitely different than the obligato, and this difference made me unsure.
The tone color is nice though. I also think intonation is clearer.
The string is very easy on the left hand (about the same as the obligato), but offers more controll on the right hand both arco and pizz
because it doesn´t bend as much.

Then we put on the Eastern European E-string, which had a lot of overtones. Pizzicato I could here the octave overtone very clear, it reminded me on a octaver pedal. The arco was very rough (I guess because of the defined overtones?). An interesting string, but not what I was looking for.

I really would have liked to try Dominants, because of the sound samples by Chris Fitzgerald that can be found on talkbass but they weren´t available.
I then chose to stay with Belcanto, because I got somewhat bored of playing the same string all the time.

[rdwhit]

Jack, I think Sidney is into Belcantos now. He quit the LO & has this cool flamenco gig & is learning about amplified pizz/arco compromises. I've played Chris's bass & the Dominants sound great and LOUD!, but are very stiff.He also uses high action. If You can deal w/ the stiffness they are great both pizz/arco. If You can't deal w/ the stiffness then try FCS or obligato or some of the others, but don't expect as big a sound. I havn't tried Sid's bass w/ belcantos yet.
GGM!

[bribass]

I've been trying FCS G & D w/ my usual
Spiro Mittel A & E.

First time trying FCS. They feel good under the hand. Nice and acurate in the upper register. Punchy loud piz sound, although they're thinner than the Spiros and you can over play them.

They DO bow well, but here's the thing, they sound a little "banjoey" and brassy piz.
Does this settle in and go away after awhile?
Thanks, BG

[fingers]

Originally Posted by vier-personen

I play obligato for the last 3 years or so, have used up 2 sets in this time.
I really like the sound. What I don´t like about the string is that it has a loose feel on the right hand, especially when bowed (as mentioned in another reply above).

I played them for a year and had a similar experience though more with pizz. I loved the sound and have been an advocate of them in the past but I felt like the pizz response was slow and I had a hard time pulling off more technical lines.

I switched back... as I always do... to Thomastik Weichs. I've tried almost everything and I always seem to come back. I am by no means a classical player but I have found them good under the bow once the initial (and annoying) brightness wears off.