Helicores v. Permanents v. Obligatos

[bdengler]

I want to change strings on my bass. I had Jagars on them, which was a nice, dark string for bowing. But the Jagars are not great pizz strings and the high tension was hard on my arthrtic joints. I put Helicores on and noticed right away the difference in tension; however, I've always struggled getting the A string to speak with the bow. So, I'm looking for a good arco string that will also get by with some pizz; my primary concern is that the string speak easily with the bow. I own sets of Helicores, Permanents and Obligatos. Thanks for your suggetions.

Brian

[Francois Blais]

Did you read the thread about the Belcantos?:
Thomastik "Belcanto" Strings megathread

[bdengler]

Originally Posted by francois

Did you read the thread about the Belcantos?:
Thomastik "Belcanto" Strings megathread

Thank you, but I'm not interested in buying another set of strings. BTW, I put Belcantos on my daughter's cello and I wasn't that crazy about them.

Brian

[TroyK]

I've had very good luck with Permanents and you'll probably love Obligatos if you turn out to be one of the people that they don't fall apart on. For some reason they last well for some people, but not others. The Permanents will feel about like the Helicores tension-wise, but I think you'll like them better (I'm assuming your Helicores are hybrids, although you didn't say). The Obligatos will feel more supple. Read archives for differing reports on their durability. For me, the E and A were virtually unplayable within about 6 weeks, but i know people who keep them on for a year at a time with no problems. I've got no explanation, in my case it was not an installation problem as some will accuse. I think it has more to do with playing style.

Why don't you try them both and tell us what your experience is?

Troy

[bdengler]

Originally Posted by TroyK

I've had very good luck with Permanents and you'll probably love Obligatos if you turn out to be one of the people that they don't fall apart on. For some reason they last well for some people, but not others. The Permanents will feel about like the Helicores tension-wise, but I think you'll like them better (I'm assuming your Helicores are hybrids, although you didn't say). The Obligatos will feel more supple. Read archives for differing reports on their durability. For me, the E and A were virtually unplayable within about 6 weeks, but i know people who keep them on for a year at a time with no problems. I've got no explanation, in my case it was not an installation problem as some will accuse. I think it has more to do with playing style.

Why don't you try them both and tell us what your experience is?

Troy

I've read a lot of postings about Obligatos not lasting very long. I tried the Helicores (orchestral mediums) tonight and I think the strings are too new; I'm concerned they won't settle down by Christmas. I will probably put the Jagars back on until after Christmas. They're dark, smooth and broken in to be forgiving enough for a Christmas Eve Mass (which will be all arco). I'll probably try the Permanents next. If I recall, they're a bit brighter and a little more focused than Helicores, seemed a better "hybrid" string and also seemed to speak a little easier with the bow than Helicores.

Brian

[TroyK]

I don't think that they are easier on the bow that Helicore Orchestral strings, but I agree on all other points. I actually quite like Orchestral Helicores except they just didn't cut through for me at loud volumes for jazz. Sounded great in my practice room, though. The Permanents are better hybrid strings. Obligatos last for some people for some reason, but they didn't for me and don't for a lot of people.

I haven't played Jargars, so I can't draw any comparisons from them.

Troy

[Mudfuzz]

I haven't had Helicores or Obligatos on my bass but I have had a Permanent E and A [the A only for a few weeks] on my bass and I have Jargars [F] on right now, and am very happy with them. To me Permanents are tighter the Jargars in feel, playability and tone, not as easy to start as Jargars with a bow either. I liked the E but not the A on my bass, it was just too bright for me.

[bdengler]

Originally Posted by Aaron Noguer

I haven't had Helicores or Obligatos on my bass but I have had a Permanent E and A [the A only for a few weeks] on my bass and I have Jargars [F] on right now, and am very happy with them. To me Permanents are tighter the Jargars in feel, playability and tone, not as easy to start as Jargars with a bow either. I liked the E but not the A on my bass, it was just too bright for me.

I would agree. The Jargars seem the easiest to start with the bow and they're quite forgiving with arco, too.

Brian

[TroyK]

Then there is always Flexicores.....

[bdengler]

Originally Posted by francois

Did you read the thread about the Belcantos?:
Thomastik "Belcanto" Strings megathread

Well, after hearing some glowing endorsements for Belcantos locally (the bass instructors at Ohio State and the Cincinnati Conservatory), I'm going to give them a try notwithstanding the cost! I just realized I also have a set of Flexicor 92's at home but if I remembered they didn't sound too good on my Bryant.

Brian

[Francois Blais]

[bdengler]

Originally Posted by francois

I know. You told me so.

[bdengler]

I put the Belcantos on my bass tonight. Without a doubt, the best arco strings I've ever used for my purposes. The best E string I ever used on my Bryant. Easy on the left hand, and the strings speak with the bow very, very well. I find them the most similar to Permanents with the exception that the the strings have more fundamental. My bass tends to sound bright with most strings except the Jagars; the Belcantos really bring out the fundamental notes on my bass with more volume. On the other hand, I do not find the strings as being as good a "hybrid" set as Helicores (medium orchestrals) or Permanents. The strings are more "thuddy" when using pizzicato. However, I care more about the arco qualities, so I'm extremely happy with the Belcantos.

Brian

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by bdengler

I put the Belcantos on my bass tonight. Without a doubt, the best arco strings I've ever used for my purposes.

Yea. They hit that one out of the park.