Solo tuning Helicore Strings

Basso03 · #1 12-28-2006, 06:27 PM

Can these strings be frequently changed from orchestral to solo tuning? I play in my local youth orchestra, but also need to be able to play solo pieces with my teacher. Most all the solo pieces I have are in solo tuning, and I'd rather not buy new piano parts for orchestral tuning.

I play strictly classical no jazz.

Thanks everyone!

Jake · #2 01-02-2007, 12:13 AM

Well, they are a standed steel string, so it would not be that bad to switch from orchestral to solo tuning frequently. They are, however, very thin and will be pretty weak and floppy when in the lower tuning.

robobass · #3 01-02-2007, 04:04 AM

I've been in this situation - where I need to be frequently changing between solo and orchestra tuning. I found Helicore to be well suited to it. It is a bit soft in the orchestra mode, but dealing with it can be good for your bow technique.
Robobass

vitoliuzzi · #4 01-06-2007, 08:16 AM

I would like to change my Solo strings on my copy of Tarantino. I'm a classical player but it seems very difficult to find the ideal string for this little doublebass (cm. 104 of diapason). Now I'm using Obligato Solo and I can say their sound is wonderful but the A string (1st one) is too big in cauge and this fact causes a lot of problems expecially in matter of different choises in "vibrato speed". Bow response is quite good, but the 4th is not so reactive. So I think my next test will be with D'Addario Solo Set. Here, in Italy, major soloists (Alberto Bocini, Stefano Sciascia and so on) use them. Probably there will be a reason. But I hadn't the chance to listen to them "live", but only on Cd. What do you think about this set? Bowings response, quality of sound, equality on every string and so on? Last but not least, powerful !!

Thanks a lot for your help.

My best regards

Vito

Jake · #5 01-06-2007, 01:10 PM

Hi Vito,
I went to one of my old bass teacher's recital this summer and his late 19th century Italian bass sounded great with the solo Helicores. When I used them, though, I thought they sounded a little thin. I had a set of Pirastro Original Flatchrome solo strings when I was in school that sounded great, very full, responsive, and loud. I think those are the best solo set, but I know people can get great results with the D'Addario. Also, the Helicores, since I think they're a little thinner, may be exactly what your looking for with the smaller bass.

jmnbass · #6 01-06-2007, 04:59 PM

i have sort of the same problem.
Would it be possible to buy a thin gauge string like spirocore weich and tune it up for solo, then back down for orchestral playing.

vitoliuzzi · #7 01-07-2007, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmnbass

i have sort of the same problem.
Would it be possible to buy a thin gauge string like spirocore weich and tune it up for solo, then back down for orchestral playing.

I did the opposite think! I setted a Solo Spirocore Thomastick Set and detuning it in Orchestras. But I used to lift up a little bit my adjustable bridge, so not to have a limp string. Then, with a "raise saddle", that I continue to have on my Tarantino the sound was very powerful because there's a very low tension on the top belly so it can vibrate at maximum.

With Weichs, if you tune them up you risk a lot for your top and the bow response is terrible. This is my experience.

Best regards

Vito liuzzi (italy)

elmer · #8 01-07-2007, 12:40 PM

Vito, why don´t you use the dominants anymore?

What about Velvets? I think Velvet 180 suit -set had the best bowability I have tried. The Suit set means that it´s suitable for both orch. and solo tuning. The tension was comfortable in orch.tuning and the sound is great.

vitoliuzzi · #9 01-08-2007, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmer

Vito, why don´t you use the dominants anymore?

What about Velvets? I think Velvet 180 suit -set had the best bowability I have tried. The Suit set means that it´s suitable for both orch. and solo tuning. The tension was comfortable in orch.tuning and the sound is great.

Dear Elmer,
when Velvet asked me to write a technical relation about Compas 180, I tested them on my Romeo Orsi of a diapason of cm. 110 and I didn't like them, probably because of this string length. I think there are better strings on the market, and Dominants for classical players are wonderful (Orchestra or Solo set). About Velvets probably there's too much "publicity", but with Compas 180 it was very hard to play tuning them up for solo concerts. And I didn't like the proiection of sound. But it's only my experience. At the end, major soloists (classical) use Helicores, or a mix set of 1st and 2nd Flexocore and 3rd and 4th Helicore (like maestro Thomas Martin in his three historical Cd for ASV about Bottesini) or this new trend to use Corelli 360 Medium (like Gary Karr, Rabbath, Marillier and others), strings that allow you to play Czardas with no problem, but which are poor of harmonics in the medium and low register (so they are good only in a studio recording where you can reinforce every frequency). But this is Off-Topic.

Ciao elmer.

Vito Liuzzi

p.s.: in my opinion, with Velvets or Corellis (that allow to play Bach Suites like a cello !!) the great Ludwig Streicher wouldn't ever obtain that incredible result of sounding in his most famous Cd where he played Bottesini Concert in Bminor