Low Tension Solo Strings

anonymous12251111 · #1 01-23-2009, 05:58 PM

Hi, So I'm currently using VELVET Compass 180 Suites, which I'm trying to sell. I have to use orchestral tuning for the first half of the week and then solo tuning the second so I can rehearse with my accompanist. I'm finding that with these strings the difference in feel between Regular and Solo tuning is a MASS amount. Orchestral tuning these are super low tension (too low for their own good in my opinion), but solo tuning...it's like someone threw on STARKS!

I'm looking for a very "singing" solo string. NOT Corelli's, these have a very thin tone.

Is it bad for the strings to be tuned down for orchestral playing once a week?

Thanks!

JoeyNaeger · #2 01-23-2009, 06:54 PM

Flexocore solos are great, but they aren't going to be ideal orchestra strings when tuned down. I know your pianist has already begun learning parts, but perhaps you could get some transposed piano parts. Douglas mapp has large selection of music and can transpose to any key. You could probably request a special piece too.

**Francois Blais** · #3 01-23-2009, 07:16 PM

Pirastro Permanents!

The F# tuned at E will be a disaster though!
You'd need to get something else for the E string.

Solo Superflexibles could be great, IMHO.
(the whole set)

ADissen · #4 01-23-2009, 09:08 PM

hey there,
im sure youve read me rant on and on about these strings, but solo spiros are great for this. the Solostrings for orchestra tuning covers my thoughts even though youve probably already read them.

But yeah, Solo Spiros are great for playing in an orchestra most of the time and playing solos on the side.

AD

EDIT: and in the spiro bowability thread i brought up how Edicson Ruiz has Spirocore Solos on his cornerless 3 string solo bass. and he has one of the best solo tones ive heard. Edicson Ruiz and Homer Mensch.... those two names wouldve sold me on trying Solo Spiros if i hadnt have gotten a set just out of curiosity.

anonymous12251111 · #5 01-23-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADissen

hey there,
im sure youve read me rant on and on about these strings, but solo spiros are great for this. the Solostrings for orchestra tuning covers my thoughts even though youve probably already read them.

But yeah, Solo Spiros are great for playing in an orchestra most of the time and playing solos on the side.

AD

EDIT: and in the spiro bowability thread i brought up how Edicson Ruiz has Spirocore Solos on his cornerless 3 string solo bass. and he has one of the best solo tones ive heard. Edicson Ruiz and Homer Mensch.... those two names wouldve sold me on trying Solo Spiros if i hadnt have gotten a set just out of curiosity.

That's actually got me intrigued. I would probably use an Orchestral E and just tune it up to solo tuning. I might actually do that with the A as well to get as punchy and high tension a tone as possible

Solo Spirocore D and G
Orchestral Spirocore E and A tuned to F# AND B.

That may work very well.

I like strings that are very low tension on the top 2, and very high tension and stiff on the bottom. It's pretty impossible to find that combination within one brand.

ADissen · #6 01-23-2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calvin Marks

That's actually got me intrigued. I would probably use an Orchestral E and just tune it up to solo tuning. I might actually do that with the A as well to get as punchy and high tension a tone as possible

Solo Spirocore D and G
Orchestral Spirocore E and A tuned to F# AND B.

That may work very well.

I like strings that are very low tension on the top 2, and very high tension and stiff on the bottom. It's pretty impossible to find that combination within one brand.

I actually did that same thing. I just bought the top two SS's and left my Dominant orchestral strings on the bottom two. it really does sound nice and tuning up the bottom two wasnt a big deal (but i always did it with caution just to be safe

) But there is a catch to this combo, well atleast for me, tuning down the SS's, i raised the action in order to get a nice big orchestra sound. cant just raise the action on one side so up went the Dominant low E and A. now, playability wise, its not that big of a deal,i just like having a set that matches across the board. the only real reason i would'nt recommend having solos on top orchestras on bottom would be that the tone doesnt match at all (for me, again) when i tuned up my orchestra Dominants for my concerto competition. Paul johnson at peabody gave a good review of the SS F# tuned down to an E, and after reading about Mensch i said screw it im just completing my set. So i ordered the Solo Spiro (SS) B and F#. when they come on tuesday ill surely let you know how they fit in. But really, i dont expect to be disappointed. Again, basically because of how Mr, Mensch used them. i like lower tension, my bass likes lower tension, i like having one set of strings that can do it all and last 10x longer than any other "hybrid". its a win win win in my book with the solo spirocores

anonymous12251111 · #7 01-23-2009, 09:59 PM

What about a set-up like this:

Original Flat-Chrome E and A
Flat-Chomesteel D and G.

That way you get a very solid low register that's nice and tight, and a low tension yet still bright upper register for soloing.

Wonder how this would sound.

Jake deVilliers · #8 01-24-2009, 12:45 AM

The FCS G & D are pretty high tension - unless you're talking about solo gauge, in which case ignore me.........

NewYorkBassist · #9 01-25-2009, 08:17 AM

I have Helicore Solo strings on my bass right now. I usually end up tuning them down a few times a week (for orchestras and chamber groups), but I really like the strings overall. They were cheaper than other brands I looked at, and on my bass, they're perfect. When I do have them down in orchestral tuning, they are flabbier than I would like (can be sort of difficult to do pizzicato lower on the bass), but not too bad, and the sound I get when I tune them up to solo tuning is definately worth it! I don't know that they would work for you (depends on what sort of bass you have, and what strings are more comfortable for you) but you might want to try them.
BTW I have heard that chromesteels are great as well.

JoeyNaeger · #10 01-25-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francois Blais

What about it was not true?
This thread is about solo strings, so your statement may be misleading, in particular since you didn't try them and speculate.
With all due respect, of course.

François

Fair enough. I'll keep that in mind in the future.

-Edit- Misleading messages have been deleted.

ADissen · #11 02-07-2009, 05:22 PM

Okay so... I finished my set of Spirocore solos and they have been installed for about 2 weeks. Well the "G" and "D" (top two) have been on for around 4 weeks. They all feel great in the left hand throughout the fingerboard. The "E" string (lowest) was amazing once i got it started but, spicatto was almost impossible with it not broken in and it was hard to start in the first place. So, i just put my Dominant "E" back on and its working great. (ive been thinking about how the Berlin Phil used the SS tuned down. And i've theorized that the did this because it is a custom for the section to play 5 string basses. the problem with that is increased pressure on the top. But by using such low tension stings on the first four, the added low B would bring the pressure on the top back to around, or closer to, having 4 high tension strings. But thats just my theory)
Out of the SS set, the "A" (orchestra tuned) is my personal favorite. The "G' (OT) is my second). The "D" is great, but has the Spirocore scratch to more of a degree when compared to the "A" and "G" (both OT). i am leaving the "D" on and just waiting it out as it is the second most important string to have be able to sound good tuned up. I have the SS "E" (OT) on my plywood and cant wait till it calms down.
overall, im very pleased with the experiment.
and OT = orchestra tuned. well all of the string pitch names here were done with orchestra tuned pitches. just making sure.

Andrew