Recommend me a String for Solo/Orchestra Playing

anonymous12251111 · #1 06-17-2008, 03:09 PM

So I'm getting a new bass in 2 months, it's almost complete, I'm very excited! I've been doing a lot of research and playing on different kinds of strings and I'm curious as to what your opinions are. I like the feel of a lower tension string that can still produce a really big, bassy tone for section playing while at the same time can really solo nicely in orchestral tuning. I do A LOT of solo playing, not so much in solo tuning (I rather transcribe, so I can avoid tuning up.) I've come across the VELVET Compass 180 SUIT strings, does anyone know if these would work well for heavy orchestra playing as well as providing a very beautiful solo playing string? I don't necessarily need something that can be tuned up as well, just something that works well for both orchestra and solo playing. Thanks.

JoeyNaeger · #2 06-17-2008, 03:15 PM

I do double duty on the belcantos and they sing beautifully in the upper register.

anonymous12251111 · #3 06-17-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyNaeger

I do double duty on the belcantos and they sing beautifully in the upper register.

I had Belcanto's on my bass for about a year and a half. I didn't really like the tone of the string; to me they seemed like the perfect auditioners string because they have a fairly generic sound that wouldn't offend anyone on a committee...then again, I think they lack a lot of tone and character compared to lets say Flexocore which is more robust.

**Francois Blais** · #4 06-17-2008, 07:42 PM

Permanents?

anonymous12251111 · #5 06-17-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francois

Permanents?

I've heard these strings work well for solo playing as well as orchestra. Do you roughly know how they compare in tension and thickness in relation to belcanto and the other pirastro strings? thanks!

**Francois Blais** · #6 06-18-2008, 07:11 AM

They're similar, as they're an all-metal string too.
Don't know if that answers your question though.

rdwhit · #7 06-18-2008, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calvin Marks

I've heard these strings work well for solo playing as well as orchestra. Do you roughly know how they compare in tension and thickness in relation to belcanto and the other pirastro strings? thanks!

They are thicker and feel higher tension than belcantos to me. I wouldn't call them high tension though.

anonymous12251111 · #8 06-18-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdwhit

They are thicker and feel higher tension than belcantos to me. I wouldn't call them high tension though.

I'm looking for something slightly lower in tension than Belcanto's

JoeyNaeger · #9 06-18-2008, 06:50 PM

You could try the flexocor 92's in the light gauge. I'm not sure that they're lighter than the belcantos, but they are definitely easy on the left hand. The solo tuning flexocors are my favorite solo string.

anonymous12251111 · #10 06-18-2008, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyNaeger

You could try the flexocor 92's in the light gauge. I'm not sure that they're lighter than the belcantos, but they are definitely easy on the left hand. The solo tuning flexocors are my favorite solo string.

That might be a good idea. I just have a quick question...My bass's string length is 42"...and on the pirastro site it says that there strings are designed for basses of a string length of 41.7. "For larger instruments, use Flexocore 5/4 Orchestra"...Should I be looking at "special" brands of strings for a bass with a 42" string length?

**Francois Blais** · #11 06-19-2008, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calvin Marks

That might be a good idea. I just have a quick question...My bass's string length is 42"...and on the pirastro site it says that there strings are designed for basses of a string length of 41.7. "For larger instruments, use Flexocore 5/4 Orchestra"...Should I be looking at "special" brands of strings for a bass with a 42" string length?

No.

The solo Original FlatChromes are another alternative.

paulunger · #12 06-19-2008, 08:27 AM

You don't need a special brand. Buy the regular length strings. Avoid the Velvet and Corelli strings. You will hate them if you use them in an orchestra section. I would also avoid the light gauge string. They feel good in the practice room, but they do not project as well for solo playing and you will be swallowed up in an orchestra.

The medium gauge Flexocors are the best bowing string out there and pretty low in tension and gauge. I do like the permanents for solo playing, they are brighter than the flexocors but are also an acceptable orchestra strings. Many professional symphony bass players use a permanent for a low E. I would recommend you use a Heavy gauge flexocor for your low E and medium gauge flexocors for the A, D and G strings. This combinations best balances the tension and sound across the strings.

anonymous12251111 · #13 06-19-2008, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulunger

You don't need a special brand. Buy the regular length strings. Avoid the Velvet and Corelli strings. You will hate them if you use them in an orchestra section. I would also avoid the light gauge string. They feel good in the practice room, but they do not project as well for solo playing and you will be swallowed up in an orchestra.

The medium gauge Flexocors are the best bowing string out there and pretty low in tension and gauge. I do like the permanents for solo playing, they are brighter than the flexocors but are also an acceptable orchestra strings. Many professional symphony bass players use a permanent for a low E. I would recommend you use a Heavy gauge flexocor for your low E and medium gauge flexocors for the A, D and G strings. This combinations best balances the tension and sound across the strings.

Wow, thanks. You seem to have some solid advice here! i will definitely try that out! A section member of mine had Original Flexocores on his bass, he said it was really powerful but he couldn't hear himself at all. He switched to a permanent/flexocore combo and said that the sound was much less muddy.

anonymous12251111 · #14 06-19-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

Hey, that's my set.. lol

By the way, I heard that Pirastro stopped making the E/C Stark/heavy Flex 92s. I was able to buy up a bunch from a distributor for my own needs but if not available, I would suggest the Original Flat Chrome E/C for the clear smooth sound, Permanent E/C for a brighter punch and the Orig. Flex E/C for the darker sound once they break in but the string does have presence or at least in the beginning. All of the above mentioned Es or E/Cs help the Low E weakness that most Basses have. Don't be afraid to mix a different E to get the job done. It is more common than you think.

Thanks Ken, great advice. Seems like Flex mediums with a heavier gauge E will be a nice orchestral string that can solo nicely as well.

Barcza · #15 07-01-2008, 12:04 PM

Pirastro Original Flat-Chrome

anonymous12251111 · #16 07-01-2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barcza

Pirastro Original Flat-Chrome

From what I remember about these strings (played on them about 5 years ago), they were incredibly stiff, very high tension, yet a solo string?

**Francois Blais** · #17 07-01-2008, 07:42 PM

They're available in both orchestra and solo gauges...

JoeyNaeger · #18 07-02-2008, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calvin Marks

From what I remember about these strings (played on them about 5 years ago), they were incredibly stiff, very high tension, yet a solo string?

The nice thing about high tensions strings is that you can use them at lower string heights. I used to use really heavy gauge strings with the G string set around 4mm. With the action that low, the extra tension doesn't make it too hard on your left hand.

anonymous12251111 · #19 07-02-2008, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

I had a set of these on my Gilkes about 2 years ago. They didn't seem to have any more tension than Flexocors did. I did some Chamber work and a few Jazz gigs and they seemed just fine to me. The 'G' was a bit bright on that Bass but that's all I remember about them that was negative. I think that if you want a string for solo tuning as well you will have to get solo strings.

If the OFCs 'are' actually slightly higher tensioned than other Pirastros then maybe the solo set will work fine for orchestra tuning for you. Here though is a word of caution for you.. You are trying to 'put the cart before the horse!'. You don't even have the Bass yet. You have no idea how tight or loose feeling this Bass will be. The Neck set and overstand on any particular bass can alter the tension within itself. I suggest you start with a string that you know and know well. Then play the Bass a few months as it breaks in a bit. Then start trying out various strings if necessary but based on how the Bass feels with the 'known' string you started with. The feel in the first few months may be different than in a year or two years a swell for that matter.

Some Basses sound better or worse with a particular string. Shopping by opinion is not scientific since each person giving advise is using a different Bass and different technique as well as ability. You seem to be quite the player already and many of the people here if not all don't know how you play or 'you them' for that matter. How can a stranger give advice blindly? Even you within yourself can't make a call what string to use on a bass not yet born. Buying clothes for a Baby before it's born? Is it a boy, girl an 'other'? (lol)..sry.. that just came out..lol.. oops..

I know you are excited about getting this Bass as we have been watching your posts about it for some time. I myself get anxious about what string to put on a Bass while it's in restoration. Not every Bass will respond the same with a string you liked on a previous Bass. I just threw on some Original Flexocors, used no doubt on to my Gilkes. They were on my Batchelder which Arnold put them on there (G, D and A only). They were used strings then no doubt so this is at least the 3rd Bass they have seen. On every Bass I have had the Orig. Flexs. on, they either felt heavy, bright or tight. The Gilkes is a bright and tight Bass to begin with as far as an old English Bass goes comparatively speaking. Mainly I just wanted to put some regular Flexocors on the Batchelder so I put the Originals on the Gilkes. A week or two later, the Gilkes sounds better then it ever has. They neither feel tight not bright to me. I think this is the best this Bass has played or sounded in the 4 years I've had it. A few days later I switched strings again (G, D, A) between the Batchelder and Martini which has Flexocor Starks. Guess what? Both Basses sound better now. Go figure...

When the Bass is done, put on a set that you currently know and like from your own experience. Then judge the Bass that way. Leave the Strings on the Bass for at least a month or two unless they are bad from the start. Then, make the change little by little looking for color of sound and tension as well with the sound and feel you have learned about after playing the new Bass for awhile.

great advice! thanks for the time spent!!