Me and FCS

hdiddy · #1 11-02-2006, 10:37 PM

Well I just got the G & D strings in the mail today to go along with my Spiro Stark E & A. I thought some of you might be interested in this string so I thought I'd put it all in a new thread. So far so good. My 1st hour impression: kinda like what Francois le String Masteur described in another thread: clear and sustains. Doesn't growl like Doms do but the tone is similar, just not as warm. I think these will cut through really well amplified. Definintely not as stiff but nor is it soft. Like Spiros but not so nasal (thank god). The FCS are still banjo-y so hopefully the slight twang will go away once they break in. The FCS still seem somewhat aggressive. They make my Chrissy ring out, again tho not as much as Dom. Has a nice attack. Seems like they sustain more than the Doms too.

Interesting note tho: with every G & D combo I've used with the Starks, the entire bass sounds different. With the Doms, everything growled like crazy. With Corelli 370Fs and now the FCS, the Starks seem to mellow out and not be so aggressive.
So yeah, I guess I don't have a growling tiger of a bass anymore and this set seems to be a little more "refined".

I'll have to let them break in and see what the bass sounds like. Updates to come.

hdiddy · #2 11-04-2006, 05:16 PM

Ok, 3 days in and theyr'e starting to mellow out. The new-string twanginess is starting to go away and I dig the sound. There's more growl now and it really makes my bass ring out pretty loud. Noticably different "feel" than the Starks but only if you're paying attention. IMO, they're actually slightly darker than Doms, but just as stringy (does that make sense). I dont' miss the Dom's one bit. FWIW, I think I may pick up an FCS A string to replace the Spiro Stark A I have on now. Very very nice. Me happy.

FidgetStone · #3 11-04-2006, 09:02 PM

The FCS 'A' string is very good on my bass. (3/4 Christoper hybrid) The long story short is I now have Olivs on the top, a Spiro Mittel on the bottom and a FCS 'A' since it sounds less honky than the Spiro 'A'. The Spiro 'A' honked from the 'C' up to the 'E' pretty bad. The FCS 'E' was rather quite on my bass however though I may pull it out again to see if that is still the case.

hdiddy · #4 11-04-2006, 10:01 PM

Hey MIDGETBONE, that's great. You remember I have a Chrissy hybrid too right? I'll definintely have to try that FCS A now. BTW: Can you compare the FCS and Oliv G&D strings now that that's what you're using? I still like the focused sound of metal strings but I'm still kinda curious. Thanks.

hdiddy · #5 11-06-2006, 02:10 PM

I Had 5 hour jam session yesterday and I'm into these strings. After a while, the Spiro Stark A wasn't as good as the FCS G & D strings. It didn't have the same amount of oomph and "presence" that the other FCS strings did. Just bought the A string from Quinn violins. I think I'll be plenty happy if it's anything like what you say it is HYPERACTIVESKELETON.

Aaron Saunders · #6 11-06-2006, 02:24 PM

I just switched to Doms from a mix of Obligato (D and G) and FCS (E and A.)

I've never used Starks, but I can honestly say I loved the FCS and thought the low strings were miles and away above in all ways the Spiro Orchs I had on before.

If the issues people have been having with Dominants become too much for me to deal with, I'll be switching to a full set of FCS. I love the Dominants more than any other string I've tried, but the FCS come in a pretty close second with none of the breakage issues.

EDIT: PDIDDY, I can guarantee you'll be pleased with the FCS A. I'd even encourage you to try the E string. I'd actually offer to sell you mine, but I want to keep it in just in case

.

FidgetStone · #7 11-06-2006, 07:23 PM

I play 95% pizz, but when I do break out the stick of pain, I prefer the clarity of the FCSs over the Olivs. Per Hdiddy's question, the FCSs do have a more focused sound, especially under the stick. The Oliv 'D' is thicker than the FCS 'A' which is no issue at all with pizz but it does seem a little strange with the stick. It limits the latitude for bowing the 'A'.

Sound-wise I was amazed at how well the FCS complemented the Olivs. Again, the FCS 'E' was a tad on the weak side for my particular bass. I might break it out again to see if my perception is the same.

**Francois Blais** · #8 11-07-2006, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron Saunders

EDIT: PDIDDY, I can guarantee you'll be pleased with the FCS A. I'd even encourage you to try the E string. I'd actually offer to sell you mine, but I want to keep it in just in case

.

I agree the A is very nice. Actually my favorite in this set.
I don't like the E though. (and I have the new version; that string has been modified about one or two years ago)
Still the weakest point in this set.
The best Pirastro steel E string for jazz pizz is still the Jazzer IMO.
(if you want a growly, sustainy kind of tone)

GriffithLea · #9 11-07-2006, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FidgetStone

...stick of pain...

**Basschair** · #10 11-07-2006, 09:25 AM

FCS strings are one of the most underrated string sets out there IMO. I can't use them on my current bass anymore because it needs higher tension, but will definitely be using them on my next bass.

Chasarms · #11 11-07-2006, 10:35 AM

I played FCS on my Shen for about 18 months. Two sets. I really llike them also. The have a great pizz tone and bow well even if a bit bright.

I think they would really sing on a bass that was a little darker and bottom heavy naturally.

I just switched to the new TI Belcantos, which I am also enjoying. They're a little darker, more bottom end and little more puff. Can't go wrong with the FCS though, IMO.

billyfalconer · #12 11-07-2006, 11:31 AM

So what does FCS stand for?

Chasarms · #13 11-07-2006, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billyfalconer

So what does FCS stand for?

Flat Chromesteel, a string offered by Pirastro.

hdiddy · #14 11-07-2006, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHAIRBASSCHIPPENDALE

FCS strings are one of the most underrated string sets out there IMO.

I would say these are so much better than Spiros in general. Better tone, less tension, easier arco. Wish I had known about them earlier.

**Basschair** · #15 11-07-2006, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdiddy

I would say these are so much better than Spiros in general. Better tone, less tension, easier arco. Wish I had known about them earlier.

Overall, I'd definitely agree. I'd consider using a different E, just because my bass really likes a heavier one, but otherwise they're great! I'm going to be trying obligatos this week to see if they will feel similar but with slightly higher tension, as that's what my Wilfer needs.

Chasarms · #16 11-07-2006, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basschair

Overall, I'd definitely agree. I'd consider using a different E, just because my bass really likes a heavier one, but otherwise they're great! I'm going to be trying obligatos this week to see if they will feel similar but with slightly higher tension, as that's what my Wilfer needs.

It is always a danger to equate tension with feel, but I went from Obligato to FCS on the Shen. The FCS absolutely FEELS a lot stiffer. The Obligato, is about the flabbiest string out there short of gut or some of the nylon stuff.

If you have any misgivings about a FCS E, you will be put out by the Obligato E for sure. It is like a giant rubberband.

**Basschair** · #17 11-07-2006, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chasarms

It is always a danger to equate tension with feel, but I went from Obligato to FCS on the Shen. The FCS absolutely FEELS a lot stiffer. The Obligato, is about the flabbiest string out there short of gut or some of the nylon stuff.

If you have any misgivings about a FCS E, you will be put out by the Obligato E for sure. It is like a giant rubberband.

You're not supposed to say that! You're supposed to say "It'll be great!"

Actually, I'm only trying the obligato D/G. I'm liking my spirocore E/A setup, so I'll stick with them for now...

Ludwig · #18 11-07-2006, 11:03 PM

I have Obligatos on my bass and like them very much, including the E string. Maybe not the best jazz strings, but very good in bowing and mixed settings.

Aaron Saunders · #19 11-08-2006, 12:22 PM

I was a huge fan of the Obligatos at first, but they died WAY too quickly and overall the Dominants sound a million times better. Never tried the FCS D and G, but from my experience with the E and A I'd definitely take the FCS over the Obligato any day of the week.

Chasarms · #20 11-10-2006, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron Saunders

. . . I'd definitely take the FCS over the Obligato any day of the week.

Agreed. They have a more clarity pizz. They last A LOT longer, and they push back on the bow much better.

I like the way they bow, and in general FCS sounds great. They are just bright. I am really digging the Belcantos these days, but if the loves fades, I am sure FCS is where I will be.