Help finding an alt. to Spirocore...

hgrind · #1 01-26-2008, 04:43 PM

...based on this description. I like the Spirocores, but I want to try to find a string for my 4/4 (43,3" string length) which have the big, round, cutting sound the Spirocores have, but have a little shorter sustain and less tension. Can anybody give some alternatives?

Kevin Hsieh · #2 01-26-2008, 05:02 PM

Superflexibles are nice...

Jason Sypher · #3 01-26-2008, 05:57 PM

Powerful strings that do a lot of things well.

hgrind · #4 01-26-2008, 06:10 PM

I don't think they make Dominants for 4/4 basses.

**Francois Blais** · #5 01-26-2008, 07:33 PM

Pirastro Jazzers.

Anonymous75966 · #6 01-26-2008, 08:24 PM

Permanents.

hgrind · #7 01-27-2008, 03:07 AM

Do Permanents have lower tension than Spirocores?

Uncletoad · #8 01-27-2008, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hgrind

Do Permanents have lower tension than Spirocores?

Not really.

Animas might be a possibility if Dominants won't fit.

Peck_Time · #9 01-27-2008, 06:42 AM

Hgrind: If you were using Spiro Mittels (or Starks...eek!) then try the Spiro Weichs.

Another possibility is to combine a nice low tension G and D with Spiros on the A and E. That can lighten the tension all round and still give you the Spiro bottom.

A classic combination would be gut G and D (plain or wrapped) with Spiros. I'm doing this on my carved bass and it works great.

Anonymous75966 · #10 01-27-2008, 03:00 PM

[quote=Uncletoad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hgrind

Do Permanents have lower tension than Spirocores?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

Not really.

Yeah, good point- well, on paper they're in between Mittels and Weichs for tension.

hgrind · #11 01-27-2008, 03:02 PM

I think I'll try to find the money to try out a set of Velvet Animas.

Marcus Johnson · #12 01-27-2008, 03:06 PM

They're great. Nice low tension, huge, complex, lovely sound.

Quirky, though. The wrap isn't super smooth like Spiros. They don't bow particularly well. And they turn the hands of some users green or black because of the copper wire. Still, one of the greatest pizz strings on the planet. I love 'em and miss 'em sometimes.

Uncletoad · #13 01-27-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

They're great. Nice low tension, huge, complex, lovely sound.

Quirky, though. The wrap isn't super smooth like Spiros. They don't bow particularly well. And they turn the hands of some users green or black because of the copper wire. Still, one of the greatest pizz strings on the planet. I love 'em and miss 'em sometimes.

Perfect summation of my sentiments.

Monkey · #14 01-27-2008, 08:41 PM

I'm in love with my Dominants, although I don't know whether they will fit your bass. They bow nicely, and even though the sustain is somewhat shorter, I still get a really nice growl on the E string.

hgrind · #15 02-06-2008, 05:31 AM

I've got a new idea, that I'm sure has been done by someone here before. I know I'm probably not going to get the low tension I've been wanting, but what about Permanents E-A and Flexocor G and either a Permanent or Flexocor D? It seems the Flexocor is one of the best steel G's out there to get a warmer, not so bright, trebly G pizz sound. Don't know if the D should be a Flexocor or a Permanent in this mix.

Uncletoad · #16 02-06-2008, 06:30 AM

Do you like your spirocore A and E ?

LHbassist · #17 02-06-2008, 06:39 AM

I used to use Spirocore orchestra tuning, and now use the D'addario Helicore pizzicatos, and they have less tension. They are the medium tension set, 3/4 length. They feel like they are in between the Thomastik 'weich' and orchestra tension sets, last MUCH longer, and are notably less expensive. I know that the 'hybrid' set that D'addario makes are for players that want a little less sustain, bow, and still play jazz. They also make these strings in different lengths, like 4/4 for your bass. I really love these strings.

hgrind · #18 02-06-2008, 07:08 AM

I think the Spirocore A and E are ok. The A sometimes seem a little dead compare to the others. The winding on the A string goes over the nut, almost reaches the fingerboard (the 4/4 string). Could that have anything to do with it?

The Pirastro strings fit my bass, and I thought maybe the Permanents had a little clearer A and E. The D is great.

When I bought my bass, it had Obligatos on. What struck me (and others) then, were the even balance in tone and volume from string to string, and loud, but I thought I got really lost in the mix when playing with a band. I don't get lost with Spirocores, but I don't think my bass is that even now across the register.

Do they make Helicores for 4/4 basses? That I didn't know. Where can one buy those? They are an affordable string I wouldn't mind trying.

Uncletoad · #19 02-06-2008, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hgrind

I think the Spirocore A and E are ok. The A sometimes seem a little dead compare to the others. The winding on the A string goes over the nut, almost reaches the fingerboard (the 4/4 string). Could that have anything to do with it?

Are those 4/4 spirocores on there for sure? If so check your Tailpiece wire and see if it can go any longer. Might be worth a discussion about afterlength of strings, the distance between the bridge and TP.

Maybe also worth a visit to a luthier to see if you have a soundpost issue.

You may have some setup problems rather than string problems.

If you can come to appreciate a worn in E/A spiro there are lots of other strings to try on top.

hgrind · #20 02-06-2008, 07:44 AM

Yes, those are 4/4 strings. I've tried other Spirocore 4/4 strings as well, just to see, and it's the same with every A string.

I've thought about making a trip to my luthier to adjust the tailpiece cable. He's the nearest one, and three and a half hour drive from where I live, that's why I haven't done it before.

I don't think I will have a problem playing the D, A or E spirocore, but do you think the Flexocor G will go with the Spirocores?