Pirastro Oliv G dilemma

[cold elephant]

Hi all,

Basically, I'm unhappy with the Flexocor '92 G (medium) I have on my bass now, and am wondering (seeing as my bass is used about 90% for arco) whether the Oliv G is worth a shot. The main problem with the Flex 92 is that it's just too edgy and bright, and a little too tense for my current string height of 10-11mm at the end of the FB. I hear the Oliv G is the best bar none when it comes to arco, but gut strings = lower tension AND short lifespan? I'm having my G&D strings lowered soon and seeing as the jargar forte I had on a couple of weeks ago on the G was producing fingerboard noise when I was really going for it at the last NYO course, I'm worried that the Oliv G would be even more floppy. Also, gut strings are generally thicker, right? I wouldn't want to be playing on anything more than say, about a 0.070 string really, as I have an audition where I have to play the first 2 movements of the Bottesini concerto no.2 in about 4 weeks, and so I'd want the new G to be easily usable even in the very highest thumb positions (I can't practice Bottesini with the Flex 92 for more than a couple of hours a day)

Sorry for the long post , but if anyone who uses these strings could give some clarification that'd be really useful.

[Francois Blais]

I'm really surprised to hear the Flex '92 G to be that bright!
For me it's among the warmest ones!
You may simply want to use the rubber tone filter that came in the envelope.
When the action will be lowered, it'll feel much less tense.

[JoeyNaeger]

Do you still get the rubber filter things when you buy strings Francois? I've never gotten one...

[cold elephant]

Hmm, i've not tried the rubber thingy, i've never really understood how to fit it on..... but still, would the oliv G be usable at a height of about 7-8mm? Gut experts? And are they strings so fat that i'll struggle to play Bottesini on them? Apologies for the attempted toilet humour....

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by JoeyNaeger

Do you still get the rubber filter things when you buy strings Francois? I've never gotten one...

They come with the metal G strings only.
I think they still put them in.
You can email Pirastro to ask for a few ones anyway. They'll post them for sure. (I did)

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by cold elephant

Hmm, i've not tried the rubber thingy, i've never really understood how to fit it on.....

Here's a pic to help you!

[TroyK]

I don't think of the OLIV as floppy at all. If you search you can find diameter and tension measurements for in and the Flexicore and compare. I will be thicker, but not uncomfortably so and the tension is fairly normal. I'm not a classical player, so I can't give an opinion on your specific question.

Troy

[cold elephant]

Thanks to all who've helped so far. I still have a few questions regarding the Oliv's performance with the bow next to steel strings - would the gut-steel difference be so pronounced that I would have to significantly alter the speed/pressure when crossing from my D string? (a flexocor stark) Also, would the sound be near enough to the flex stark set as not to sound 'distasteful' when crossing to the top?

[toman]

I personally wouldn't mix gut/steel on the G/D. You might try Eudoxa though, they're little brighter than Oliv.