Solo / Orchestral Tuning Strings

[Feorel]

Recently, someone came and auditioned at our college and I let them use my bass - she didn't have hers as she flew in from Las Vegas and I didn't want her to be stuck with a less than stellar instrument. After I handed her my bass, I went off and finished off some errands, only to come back and notice that my bass sounded quite different in resonance and sound. I found out afterwards that she had tuned my bass up to solo tuning.

Now, I play solo repertoire as much as I do orchestral material, but I never tuned up. I always got my hands on the corresponding piano parts and if not, then I simply transposed it down a step for the piano. I was honestly rather frightened since she had tuned my orchestral strings up and I could only imagine what would happen if it stayed like that. I played on it after she was done and the sound and feeling was absolutely wonderful.

I'd really like to be able to switch back and forth between the two, but I don't know if it's a good idea considering they're orchestral strings. I suppose it's too much tension for them and if I keep doing it for a prolonged period of time (even if it's on or off) that they might even snap, which is something I wouldn't want happening. I don't happen to have another bass though.

Any ideas? Bad idea, good idea? I don't know much about strings (I'm terrible with hardware in general) so any enlightenment on this would be great.

[Francois Blais]

You'd better use a solo-tuning string, and it down when needed than the other way around.
What strings do you use?
Are you playing arco only, or arco/jazz pizz ?

[thewhale]

I'm considering using solo strings for my upcoming recital. The cellists will go even crazier on my Bach--Suite in C transcribed in G transposed in A!!!! Are the Pirastros the way to go with the Obligato solo set? Currently I'm set up with Original Flex on the top three with a Permanent C. Sorry for the thread-jack.

[JoeyNaeger]

+1 on Francois. Use solo strings and tune them down for orchestral playing. Personally, I find it to be more of a hassle and just get orchestral tuning tuning piano parts for everything.

thewhale- I haven't tried the solo tuning obligatos, but I have spent some time with the orchestral tuning version and would not recommend that brand for the primarily arco player. The G and D are decent but the A and the E are very difficult to bow because of their tendency to twist under the bow. My favorite solo strings are the flexocores.