New bass- New strings

[lloccmttocs]

Hey I just put the down payment on a new professor upton bass.

Gary asked what strings I'd like and I had no clue he said he could recommend a few pairs but I still have no idea what the difference would be between them. He recommends Pirastro Eudoxa strings. But like I said I have no idea what they are. they will cost 250 dollars extra but other strings might not cost anything extra. He said if I didn't have the money he could put on Pirastro Flexicore Standards for no extra money. But what are the first strings? are they worth the extra?

[vier-personen]

what kind of music do you want to play? have you been playing double bass or are you just starting?
I don´t know the eudoxas, but I think they are steel on gut and I don´t know how long this string will last. others here can comment better on this string, but 250,- is a lot and I would suggest you start with a cheaper string. I don´t know what the standard strings are, but probably some steel string, which is a lot easier to handle and will last a few years.

[lloccmttocs]

I have been playing for about 2 or 3 years on string bass (crossed over from classical guitar->electric bass-> string bass) I still dabble in my old instruments but they don't have the same feel as my string bass. But In a year I will be studying string bass in college so I ordered a new professor bass now so that it will be ready in time for me to get used to it and break it in.

[Amin]

I would go with Pirastro Flexocore. A standard string, reliable, long lasting. I wouldn't think twice. They bow very well and give you a warm and big sound.
I'd surely save 250..!!
Eudoxas are for who really love them.
I'd start with something "usual"..
Good luck!

[Bobby King]

Hey there.

Eudoxas are gut-core, steel-flatwound strings. They're great strings if you are looking for that kind of string. But, they are more high-maintenance than steel strings -- they require frequent tuning, their windings can separate, and yes they're expensive.

Unless you are already a gut string fan, you'd be better off to go with steel or synthetic core. Pirastro Obligato (synthetic core) is a good choice for a combination of pizz and arco and have been very popular recently. The steel core Thomastik Superflexible and Corelli 370 (Medium or Forte) are excellent all-purpose strings, too. If you're doing more arco than pizz, Pirastro Flexicor is a standard for orchestra, or if you do mostly pizz and like a bright, sustaining string, Thomastik Spirocore is a long time favorite.

Gut strings are a whole other bag, and you may not want the the expense and other issues that go with them, but they're well worth trying at some point.

[Marcus Johnson]

I'm a little surprised that Gary suggested Eudoxas.

[clink]

I just noticed on the Upton site that they have Obligatos on three of their basses: ply, hybrid and professor. Gotta be a reason.

BTW, the professor looks great.

[greitzer]

I can't speak to the Eudoxas because I've never used them, but I can vouch for the Flexocor strings that he suggested as an alternative, especially if he'll include them for no charge. These are fine strings, good for bowing and pizzicato.

[lloccmttocs]

T.hanks guys I went with the Pirastro Flexicore Standards that were no extra charge.

[Bobby King]

Originally Posted by lloccmttocs

"Do you know what you get when you throw a piano down a mine shaft?"
"Ab minor"

"Do you know what you get when you throw a piano onto an Army base?"
"A-flat Major"

[uptonbass]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I'm a little surprised that Gary suggested Eudoxas.

Well...I just got a real hankering to put a set on my Professor bass!!!!

[uptonbass]

The flexocore will be the better economical..arco first string on that bass.

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by uptonbass

Well...I just got a real hankering to put a set on my Professor bass!!!!

I've been wanting to try them too, but the stories of them coming apart has frightened me off.

[jasonheath]

I have found the Flexocor to be great strings when you are actually playing in an audition, but not really so great when you are taking auditions or playing jazz. Obligatos seem to be a little better as multi-purpose strings, but I still like Permanents the best for orchestral playing on my basses--bright and clear but still with a good fundamental, and easy under the fingers.