I'm thinking of a sound...

hdiddy · #1 06-15-2006, 12:26 PM

but I can't figure out which string. Francois, what you think?

Having tried several sets, I think I have an idea of what I want.
1) Higher tension. Like Spiro's but a little less would be nice
2) Growly growls.
3) Bright is ok, but not as bright as spiro's please. A little less. Corelli's are too bright.
4) I think I want something that is clear sounding, something that cuts through. Animas are a little too thumpy for me.

My opinion on other strings thus far...
Anima - nice but I think I want more tension and it get's a little pingy in the upper positions. I think I want more of a modern tone than a gut tone.
Heritage - Nice sound but not enough tension. G string too nasal.
Corelli 370F - Just a big too bright and thin. Not enough tension too. (EDIT: I just caught my little mistake)
Spiro - Sounds good - maybe the best so far. Just a touch too bright. Like I said before, a little less tension would be nice.

So what do you guys think? Superflexibles? Dominants? Spiro solo?
Thanks!
-diddy

ctxbass · #2 06-15-2006, 01:02 PM

Maybe Pirastro Jazzers.

ToR-Tu-Ra · #3 06-15-2006, 01:05 PM

From what I've read, seems Dominants should do the trick (I've never tried them, though)

**Francois Blais** · #4 06-15-2006, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctxbass

Maybe Pirastro Jazzers.

The Superflex might too.
The Corellis settle in in about two weeks. After that they're great. (they're my new favorites in fact)
I use the 370TX but for the E I use a regular Spiro.
They blend very well together.
The Jazzers have a bit less tension than the Spiros med, but IMO are brighter sounding.

hdiddy · #5 06-15-2006, 01:40 PM

Hrm, I was actually using the 370Fs in the past now that I think about it. It wasn't the TXs. I'll correct my first post. Francois, can you compare the Fs vs. the TXs for me?

But you're also making me think of mixing strings. I did like the Heritage A & D. I haven't considered that before.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #6 06-15-2006, 01:43 PM

Sounds like a perfect description of Dominants.

hdiddy · #7 06-15-2006, 01:44 PM

One more thing I noticed that was odd on Bob G's site about the string gauges... The G string on the 370F and 370TX are the same gauge, yet the tension on the TX is less? I don't get it. Isn't it virtually the same string? Can someone explain?

hdiddy · #8 06-15-2006, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GURRRL

Sounds like a perfect description of Dominants.

Well if FITZGEARHEAD says so, I guess I might have to try Doms, especially since I've tried Corelli's before (even tho they weren't TX's). Hrm....

Andy Allen · #9 06-15-2006, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

Sounds like a perfect description of Dominants.

+1 - they'll do it.

I just replaced my Dominants after a brief flirtation with a few other strings and I'm in love again

Andy

JAS · #10 06-15-2006, 02:32 PM

Can you guys compare the Dominants with the Wiechs. What is the feel/tension/sound of the dominants like?

JAS · #11 06-15-2006, 02:35 PM

It has been a few years since I tried the Correlli 370 TX. Are these any thicker than the Weichs?

Andy Allen · #12 06-15-2006, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAS

Can you guys compare the Dominants with the Wiechs. What is the feel/tension/sound of the dominants like?

Stiffness (feel) is about the same as Spiro orch/reds. Flexibility (tension) is a little less than orchs. They sound warmer and fatter than Spiros, and have less growl, but still have the character to fit in with/cut through a band. They have a characteristic 'click' to the attack that I like. They are a very loud string and work well unamplified.

They may not last as long as steel strings (from others' reports) but will last longer (and sound better) than Obligatos.

Andy

**Francois Blais** · #13 06-15-2006, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdiddy

Hrm, I was actually using the 370Fs in the past now that I think about it. It wasn't the TXs. I'll correct my first post. Francois, can you compare the Fs vs. the TXs for me?

But you're also making me think of mixing strings. I did like the Heritage A & D. I haven't considered that before.

The TX is the thickest gauge in the Corelli line. (and the highest tension, but they're still easy to play)
To me they have more meat than the Fs.
With the TX you can dig in harder too.

**Francois Blais** · #14 06-15-2006, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAS

It has been a few years since I tried the Correlli 370 TX. Are these any thicker than the Weichs?

I don't have a full set of Weichs to compare, but I'd say they are possibly a tad thinner.

christ andronis · #15 06-15-2006, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

Sounds like a perfect description of Dominants.

+1

(of course...I'm biased!!)

hdiddy · #16 06-15-2006, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francois

The TX is the thickest gauge in the Corelli line.

Er... read what I wrote again. Bob G's site says the TX G string has LESS tension than the Fs. Go figga. I'm just curious.

mje · #17 06-15-2006, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francois

...
I use the 370TX but for the E I use a regular Spiro.
They blend very well together.
The Jazzers have a bit less tension than the Spiros med, but IMO are brighter sounding.

My brief experience with the CorelliTXs is that they're fantastic arco strings, but the pizz response of the E is weak. I just replaced the E on my acoustic UB with an old Spiro Mittel E and as Francois says, it's a great blend.

JeffKissell · #18 06-15-2006, 11:44 PM

H-
I'll keep you posted as I just (this evening) put on a set of dominants. I had 1 1/2 yr. old spirocore orchestras on this bass (NS Cleveland laminate). Initial impression is what everyone else is saying, similar but deeper-more umph/less ggrrr. The body of the bass seems to resonate more. The strings are still settling but I will post more soon as I have an unamped gig this weekend, and an amped rehearsal on Tuesday. One of the things I'm actually looking for is better bow response. My arco sucks something awful, but ya gotta start somewhere right?
-J

christ andronis · #19 06-16-2006, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffKissell

...
One of the things I'm actually looking for is better bow response. My arco sucks something awful, but ya gotta start somewhere right?
-J

...as does mine. On a suckiness scale, I'm probably about a nine out of ten. The pizz though.....getting better every minute I play them. Enjoy!

JeffKissell · #20 06-16-2006, 10:53 PM

The bow response is better. The strings have a more pleasing sound arco. I am really diggin' the sound pizz, definitely way less mwah, but they still sound modern.
Hdiddy, I think you said that you had Kolstein Heritages (?) on your bass for a while, so did I. The Dominants are a much fuller, more complete sound. Kinda like what the K.H.s hinted at... oh yeah, and more volume! So far I like.
-J