Low Tension Strings for Arco & Pizzicato

[DoubleMIDI]

Could it be that PaulCannon mixed up Evahs with Obligato regarding the "roll"?

[iiipopes]

Be prepared to mix-and-match. The E string in most Pirastro offerings are a tad lighter than the feel of the G-D-A strings would otherwise indicate to preserve arco response. So, for example, if you go with Evah's, you might like the weich G-D-A with a mittle E. You might trade off just a touch of arco response on the E, but when you "dig in" on the pizz it will all be there.

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by Fran Diaz

Can you please explain what you mean by "roll"?

"Roll" is when the string spins around its longitudinal axis when you initiate contact with either finger or bow. The Obligato E and A strings are particularly bad for this - there is so much delay from the twirling that it throws off my timing...

[PaulCannon]

Originally Posted by DoubleMIDI

Could it be that PaulCannon mixed up Evahs with Obligato regarding the "roll"?

Some strings sort of curl under the fingers, something most people find especially irritating. Obligatos are famously bad about this, several other synthetic gut strings also have this problem.

I tried a set of Evah weichs about four years ago. I wouldn't know what "generation" they would have been. The extended-E was basically unusable.

[Hector Wolff]

I have always felt that the regular Evahs were a great relatively soft (flexible) string, with a loud, dark, complex bowed sound, very easy to bow and with good sustain. I still think they are the perfect double duty string, especially if you play acoustic, and as long as your bass itself is not too dark.

[Fran Diaz]

Originally Posted by Hector Wolff

I have always felt that the regular Evahs were a great relatively soft (flexible) string, with a loud, dark, complex bowed sound, very easy to bow and with good sustain. I still think they are the perfect double duty string, especially if you play acoustic, and as long as your bass itself is not too dark.

I tried a used set of regular Evahs, I liked them and order a set of Weichs. As others said, you lose a little volume and tone but they are a little easier on your hands. I still like them a lot, but next time I need to change strings I think I'm going to go for the regulars again.

[Jaromir]

D'Addario Zyex. As much as I'm not fan of synthetic strings, these I like the best of all synthetics. They are much lower tension compare to Evahs.
I use Zyex G & D and Spiros Weich A & E. They match very well both sound and feel wise.
The reason I use them is I don't like the feel of thin G & D Weichs.

[BHBassman]

The string "moves/rolls" under your finger as you press down.
Tried Obligatos on Basses in a shop & yes-the string "gave way" while playing.
Softer to the touch than most brands IMO.

[dbassnut]

Hi guys,
similar question here. I too am using Helicore Hybrids mediums on my 3/4 bass & am planning to change to spirocore S42 4/4 medium tension. I both pizz & bow as I only have one bass & use it both for playing in a local amateur orchestra & a jazz band.
I'm interested in the spiros as they are reputed to be louder, last a heck longer but may be a little difficult to bow. Any advice is much appreciated.
Thanks.

[DoubleMIDI]

The S42W Weich set is easier to bow, but still not as easy as pure arco strings.

I play Innovation 140B (Braided) and they are really nice for arco, have soft nice pizz (go down to the end of the fingerboard for some round attack) and have approximately the tension of the S42W (I once mixed them, but since they bowed better I switched to the complete set. The E and A could be a bit stiff at the beginning which makes the sustain a bit short, bit this goes away when they get more flexible.
A nice tension on my 110cm (42 inch) scale bass. Maybe a bit low on a 105cm (40 inch) or shorter. They get a bit darker over time, but not as dark as Evah Pirazzi, which have a higher tension (even the EP Weich have a higher tension, but they are not bad either).

[gottliver]

To the OP. There have been a lot of good suggestions, although pricy. If you are generally happy with your current strings but want something easier to play with more growl yet still good arco, go for helicore hybrid lights. Designed to do what you are asking. Inexpensive as well.

[PaulCannon]

Originally Posted by gottliver

To the OP. There have been a lot of good suggestions, although pricy. If you are generally happy with your current strings but want something easier to play with more growl yet still good arco, go for helicore hybrid lights. Designed to do what you are asking. Inexpensive as well.

Given that Helicores go bad within 5-6 months, I don't see them as being any cheaper than a set which will last more than a year.

[DoubleMIDI]

The Innovation 140B are rather cheap too.
At least in Europe where you don't have to pay import taxes and customs.

I paid for a set including worldwide postage from UK to Germany about 100 Euro using a mail order string discount.

No string lives as long as a Spiro, but if the Sprio is not what you want, then this is a nice set.

[gottliver]

Originally Posted by PaulCannon

Given that Helicores go bad within 5-6 months, I don't see them as being any cheaper than a set which will last more than a year.

I'm not sure that is the general consensus.

Many have reported much longer life.