Mix and Match for Solo Eveness

dragonetti11 · #1 07-10-2005, 08:52 PM

Hello String Forum
I am currently set up with original flexocors (since I am an orchestral bassist) and while I like my soloistic sound on the G string (thumb position) the other strings do not seem to have as much punch in thumb position solo playing. I am sure that it is probably a very tough thing to have a nice punchy sound on the A and E strings way up near the end of the fingerboard and I know I will drive myself nuts trying to achieve that. But , are the orig. flexocors the best matched set? Would I find more evenness in mixing in 92s on the D, A & E and keeping the original G? The kind of evenness I am talking about is bassically like this--lets say I play the opening of the Koussevitzky on the G string and then I play it again but this time I start on the D string. What I am looking for is more similarity in sound from a higher string to a lower string. Can anyone reccommend a string? Or do all of you have this same thing going on. I am sure everyone does to some extent.

anonymous0726 · #2 07-11-2005, 01:40 AM

I'm not a classical player, so take this with a grain of salt:

For my money, the Thomastik Dominants might be a good try for you. The thing that I noticed right away is that the sound was so even from string to string. Take the first A ont he G string, then the D string, and the octave on the A string and the sound is very similar for all the fingerings. Plus you have nice, heavy strings to give you the volume that you need for section playing. I also liked the sound a lot, and teh bowability is very good as well. I would say that maybe they are a little on the bright side for orchestral playing (maybe?) but I'm pretty sure that you could adjust your touch a bit to get the sound you want.

dragonetti11 · #3 07-12-2005, 07:19 PM

My bass is dark sounding. The original G can be a brigt string and I am not sure if my D string is old or not because it came on the bass when I got it. Ideally I would like to keep my original G since it is giving me a nice sound. How would a 92 D match up with the original G? I am pretty sure the 92 G is darker than the Original G but is the 92 D darker than the original D? About volume...would the 92 heavy gauge match the originals?

What about the thickness and tension between the original G and the heavy 92 G?

dragonetti11 · #4 07-21-2005, 06:52 PM

Has anyone out there tried the 92 flexocor Heavy? If so, how do they compare with the original flexocor?

**Francois Blais** · #5 07-22-2005, 09:10 AM

The '92s heavies are clearer than mediums.
They could be a good alternative to the Originals for the bottom strings.
You may wish to keep the Originals for the top if you bass is dark sounding.
Furthermore the '92s D&G heavies are quite rigid.
The Originals are easier to play and have plenty of volume.