Kolstein Varicors

[Francois Blais]

Hi al.
Anyone still using Kolstein Varicor strings and like them for pizz?
I just put back the G, D and A I had in stock and love them.
Ordered an E earlier today.

They're designed as an orchestral string, with relatively high tension, like Pirastro Original FlatChromeSteels, but have more clarity and pizz very well.

François

[Gagliano]

I use the Varicor A & extended E. I think they're wonderful bowing strings, just about as good as orig flexocors for bowing, and not as dead as orig flex for pizz. For the G string, I much prefer Flex 92's.

[dchan]

I still use the E, A, and D Varicors on my school's plywood Christopher. They are a very warm string with a decent amount of sustain for an arco string. They produce a louder tone than the Flexicore G string that I have on. They are also a bit louder than the Helicore orchestrals on my school's carved Juzek. Plus, the strings bow really well.

On the downside, the Varicore G string was absolutely terrible for bowing: just a really nasally sound that never went away. The strings are also quite stiff, making them more difficult to play than other strings. And clarity-wise, it's not the best string for arco.

Of course, I'm basing my impressions on a rather poorly setup plywood instrument with a maple top. A better bass might bring better results.

[Francois Blais]

I'm in love with them again!

For the G, using a small cello rubber tone filter is great!

Any Varicor fan here?
(BTW, I play them pizz only)

[jisbass]

I'm using them and I like them, especially after they mellow out. Great for both arco and pizz. I'm using a Spiro Mittel E though. Varicor E wasn't bad, but I like the Mittel E better.

I didn't like the G very much until it mellowed out after several weeks. Next time I put on a new G, I'll try the tone filter. Is that a rubber ring that goes in between the bridge and the string?

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by jisbass

I didn't like the G very much until it mellowed out after several weeks. Next time I put on a new G, I'll try the tone filter. Is that a rubber ring that goes in between the bridge and the string?

Yes, that's it.
I had one of these cello ring filters into an old cello string pouch I had since 25 years.
Pirastro doesn't provide them anymore.
Don't know if other string makers are still including them.

The Pirastro G string filter was too much for the Varicor G though.
Maybe a small piece of leather would do the trick too.

[Mike Goodbar]

I had a set on for about a year and found them overall to be a strong sounding fairly versatile string, especially under the bow. On my bass, though, the G never really settled in with the rest and accentuated the already thin quality my bass seems to have with the G string. Also a little too thumpy for my jazz taste.

I passed them on to a student of mine, who still uses them. His bow work has begun to improve greatly (his old strings were Super Sensitive!).


I've heard they've tinkered with the formula a little. If I played more arco, I'd be tempted to give them another try.

[Phil Rowan]

I just put a Varicore A on my bass, and so far I'm liking it. I'm switching from a FCS, and, although it'll take some breaking in to mellow out (like other strings), I can tell right away that the Varicore has quite a bit more presence for pizz and arco. I also have a FCS E on there, and once the A settles down (stays in tune by itself) I'll throw the Varicore E on as well. I remember reading that some people thought the Varicores were too dark for pizz, and I was a little worried about this, since my bass is naturally on the darker side. I removed the little felt ring that comes on the bottom of the string (thanks for this tip, Kurt!) to help "brighten" it up a bit, and I'll do the same for the E.
The OFCS will stay on as my D and G, though I'm looking for a tone filter ring for the G.

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by Phil Rowan

I just put a Varicore A on my bass, and so far I'm liking it. I'm switching from a FCS, and, although it'll take some breaking in to mellow out (like other strings), I can tell right away that the Varicore has quite a bit more presence for pizz and arco. I also have a FCS E on there, and once the A settles down (stays in tune by itself) I'll throw the Varicore E on as well. I remember reading that some people thought the Varicores were too dark for pizz, and I was a little worried about this, since my bass is naturally on the darker side. I removed the little felt ring that comes on the bottom of the string (thanks for this tip, Kurt!) to help "brighten" it up a bit, and I'll do the same for the E.
The OFCS will stay on as my D and G, though I'm looking for a tone filter ring for the G.

Yep, that Varicor A is great!
As for your question about filter rings:
string mutes/silencers/thingys- need info.

Regards,
François

[Phil Rowan]

Thanks François! I just emailed Pirastro about that.