should I Jazzers Pizzicatos, or Velvet Blues?

[SeayBass]

Hi everyone.

I have a 3/4 flatback bass, 100yr old. Good bass... Not big.

I have used with some success Spirocores, Flexocores, Dominants, and Velvet Compas 180.
I just took the Velvets off after 1.5+ years so I could play Beethoven 9 without injuring my right arm (again) from beating on the strings. I loved those strings, but I took them off for this reason: when I get the bass set up to make the most sound, the strings got tighter than I can bow without great pressure (read: injury).
So I put on some different stuff from my bag-o-strings. I found that I love the DOminants on G&D, but when I go full set, the tonal character gets quite a bit scratchier. Good results came from Spirocore Weich on the E&A.
Anyway, I am currently trying to get the full set of DOminants to work on this bass, and waiting for it to calm and settle down.
In the meantime, I wanted to ask the community:
Has anyone used Jazzers or Velvet Blues for arco/strings work- I mean work like sitting in a section or playing the single bass chair in a chamber orchestra. I am sure they are cool in a theater pit and small group jazz and such, but I mean can they hang in a string ensemble? Could I hang out practicing thumb position for an hour with Jazzers, Velvet Blue, or even Pizzicatos?

thanks in advance for the great input-
-e

[iiipopes]

If you want to try Jazzers, I have an A and D for sale cheap in the "for sale" section.

[DoubleMIDI]

I found the Innovation 140B (Braided) are very nice for arco. They bow a lot better than Spiro Weich or Compas 180, but are a little bit quieter.
Tension is similar to Spiro Weich 4/4 (S42W).
Not the best string for classical solo work, but for orchestra and chamber orchestra they are really nice. They mix well in the section.
Also very usable in thumb position.
Soundwise they are a bit darker than Compas 180 but brighter than Evahs.

[TonyD]

I have played the Velvet Blues for a short time. Nice pizz, but I prefer the Compas 180 for the combi pizz / arco.

BTW: I do not quite understand you story on the tension of Compas 180. Their tension should be low: 26 kp on 105 cm mensur bass.

Did you ever consider Belcanto's?

[hdiddy]

FWIW, I moved away from Jazzers because I working more with the bow now. G & D take a bit of work but it's ok. A not so great. Overall it takes more work.

But take my advice with a grain of salt. I'm an arco newbie and play mostly jazz pizz.

[TroyK]

I don't play seriously with the bow, but I've used Jazzers happily for ...well Jazz... for a while now and written a few times that they are "perfectly bowable". That said, I strongly suspect that they're not a good choice for you, if orchestral music is a significant part of what you do. I would think that Compas 180s would be a much better choice.

[SeayBass]

thanks team- I am grateful for your input and isnt' talkbass awesome-