question for new g string

lincland · #1 08-06-2010, 07:59 PM

Hi,

I use Spirocore Wiechs. I've always a little annoyed at the thinness of the G string. Overall the other three sound good, and this set give me the best overall sound and feel that I've had. Except for the g string.

So...

I'm shopping for a new G string. I read a Gage article that recommended Pirastro Flexocor for the G and D to match up with the Spirocore E and A. I've never tried them, but I read up a bit, and saw that there are 2 types.

My goal is to fatten up the G string so that it matches tone-wise with the other three. However, I really want to find something that's the same gauge and tension as the Spirocore G that I have now. I'm a little picky about having the whole set feel like a set.

So any recommendations? Flexicor? Which Flexicor? Again I'm after "fattening" up the tone, not just darkening down the brightness. The G is not too bright, it just lacks body and thickness to the note.

Oh, this is for jazz. I almost never bow.

Ok, so any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Lincoln

Eric Hochberg · #2 08-06-2010, 10:06 PM

EP Weich, should do the job. Flexocore might be a bit farther into darkiness...

lincland · #3 08-06-2010, 11:14 PM

Sorry I'm a little slow on the uptake. What is "EP"?

Norre · #4 08-07-2010, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Sorry I'm a little slow on the uptake. What is "EP"?

EP = Evah Pirazzi, strings made by Pirastro. They come in normal, weich and solo version.

**Francois Blais** · #5 08-07-2010, 08:07 AM

I suggest a Pirastro Permanent G.
Clear but with added fatness.

reedo35 · #6 08-07-2010, 08:50 AM

Flex 92's, but I also like the EP idea.

kscbass · #7 08-07-2010, 09:20 AM

The G string EP Weich has to much tension compared to rest of the spiro Weich set.

Marton · #8 08-07-2010, 09:26 AM

I never tried them with the Spirocore, but the Flexocore 92 are the best string I ever used on my D and G. I use them with Permanents E and A.

AMJBASS · #9 08-07-2010, 09:29 AM

If you can afford it I would definitely go for a Pirastro Olive G. IMO the best G out there, and it matches very well with the Spirocore Weich set. The Evah Pirazzi G is a close second and is a very very good sound G as well. Thick and full sounding. Flexocores don't always match up well with Spirocores especially amplified, but every bass is different...

Eric Hochberg · #10 08-07-2010, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kscbass

The G string EP Weich has to much tension compared to rest of the spiro Weich set.

All the strings mentioned here have more tension that the 60.6 of the spiro weich G. You have to try strings and see how they respond on your bass. There are no right and wrong answers here...

kscbass · #11 08-07-2010, 10:10 AM

In my experience the G evah weich was not a good match tension wise along with the D,A and E Spiro Weichs.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #12 08-07-2010, 10:35 AM

I love the Olive G with Mittels. Its sound matches up well, being warm and fat but it has a singing quality and has a nice click at the beginning of the note for great definition. The gauge is just slightly larger than the D and the tension feels slightly lower. If you could deal with the size difference it would match up nicely with weichs.

I can't think of anything with the gauge and tension of a weich G with a darker tone.

TroyK · #13 08-07-2010, 01:31 PM

I think someone needs to try a Superflexible Solo tuned to orch pitch. The gauge is identical to the Spirocore Weich G. The sound of the regular gauge SF G is nice with Spirocores and in the direction you are looking, but the tension is all wrong with weichs..as are the Evah Pirazzis.

lincland · #14 08-07-2010, 07:34 PM

Hmmm, tension and gauge seem to be the obstacle here.

I used to have a link to a chart someone did that gave pretty good comparisons of gauge and tension from quite a few sets of different strings. Does anyone have that link?

Thanks,

Lincoln

martinc · #15 08-07-2010, 08:33 PM

Bel Canto G......matches well. Full sound. Everything you are asking for.
Don't use a Bel Canto D with it though...keep the Weich D.

Bobby King · #16 08-08-2010, 12:35 PM

I like an Original Flexocore G with Weichs and I think that the tension is well matched, and the tone is darker, fuller, and less pingy. As people seem to be saying, there are also other orchestral-type G strings that will work. IME, It's harder to find a substitute D that's not too dead sounding. If you're happy with the Weich D, just change out the G.

Marcus Johnson · #17 08-08-2010, 01:49 PM

Oliv.

Jake · #18 08-08-2010, 02:11 PM

+1 on Belcanto G

geoffbassist · #19 08-08-2010, 07:47 PM

Why not use a heavier gage spirocore, either mittel or stark G?

kscbass · #20 08-08-2010, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoffbassist

Why not use a heavier gage spirocore, either mittel or stark G?

Because some of us raise the height of our Spiro Weichs strings to create some resistance for the right hand. This would create too much tension with mittel or stark G string.