Spirocore on Carved Basses

ejuzek · #1 03-26-2006, 09:04 AM

Hello, I have two carved basses, one very old (italian around 1900) and a rather new one, both with Spirocore Orchestra.

The old one sounds really good, but the new one sounds very twangy and treble, even thought this strings have around a year on the bass.

My question is, is there any option for a less treble sound on the new bass, keeping the same tension and gauge of the spirocore Orchestra? I don´t want to change my set up.

anonymous0726 · #2 03-26-2006, 09:08 AM

For the newer bass, you might try, in order of darkness:

From the Thomastik folks: Superflexible and then Dominant. Dominants might feel a bit stiffer and the Superflexibles should feel about the same.

From Pirastro: Try Flat Chromsteels or Obligatos. Flexocor '92's are my current flavor and are very dark.

From D'Addario: I'm not a fan at all, but there are those who are. Try Hybrids for a darker string and orchestral for something similar to Flex '92's.

mje · #3 03-26-2006, 08:13 PM

The Hybrids on my new Czech bass are sort of neither here nor there; as an orchestral string, they're a bit scratchy. As a pizz string, they're not that bright. The Obligatos were wonderfully smooth without being too dark, although I wanted something a bit punchier for pizz.

conte2music · #4 03-26-2006, 08:30 PM

I'd imagine some of the guys would have some more suggestions if we know what type of music you were wishing to play.

I would agree that the superflex would be a darker sound and you wouldn't need to change your setup from the spiros.

best of luck,
chris

Aaron Saunders · #5 03-26-2006, 11:58 PM

Check his profile, "conte2music." He's playing in a jazz quartet, as well as doing bossa nova, and latin + rock and roll bands (although I imagine the last one is on slab.)

I was using Spiro Mittels for a while, but I've recently changed to a mixed set of Obligato (D and G) and Flatchromesteels (E and A.) I find this gives a similar feel (although the FCS strings feel a little softer) and gives a slightly darker tone. I might find myself sticking with this one for a while, although I eventually want to try out some Dominants on this bass.

jimclark68 · #6 03-27-2006, 07:28 AM

I've got a new hybrid, and I've had the same experience with Spiros sounding very bright compared to my previous bass. I'm experimenting now with Spiro orch E and A and Superflexible D and G. Tension is fairly even across the strings. The strings are all relatively new, so I expect the minor evenness issues in terms of sound to smooth out over time.

ejuzek · #7 03-29-2006, 07:31 PM

Thanks, Ray I´m going to get the Superflex, I´ll let you know...

KSB - Ken Smith · #8 03-29-2006, 08:46 PM

Flexocor 92s Stark/thick gauge. Great for bowing and good fundamental for Pizz. My favorite on all my Bass no mater what style I am doing.

jmpiwonka · #9 03-30-2006, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

Flexocor 92s Stark/thick gauge. Great for bowing and good fundamental for Pizz. My favorite on all my Bass no mater what style I am doing.

it's funny to me that everytime someone is asking about strings one of the flexocor faithful always chime in recommending them

, with a good setup the flexocor are awesome (and i'm talking for pizz, we don't even need to get into arco as that is what they are made for)

anonymous0726 · #10 03-30-2006, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmpiwonka

...one of the flexocor faithful always chime in...flexocor are awesome...

Marcus Johnson · #11 03-30-2006, 11:41 AM

Guess I'm going to have to try those at some point.

Andy Allen · #12 03-30-2006, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Guess I'm going to have to try those at some point.

I'm liking the solo Dominants at the moment, but if they break or fade early I'm putting Flex's at the top of the list. I'll certainly be able to afford to try them sooner than I can Animas

Incidentally, in my search for a new bass I've been visiting many shops and trying everything I can, and a surprising number of them are fitted with Flex's - about even with the number fitted with Spiros, which I wouldn't have expected. And they all sound good too.

jimclark68 · #13 03-30-2006, 04:42 PM

Couldn't stand it any longer... I've got a set of Flex 92 starks on the way. More to come...

ejuzek · #14 03-31-2006, 04:24 PM

Hello, are the Flex Diameter similar to the Spirocore Orch?

**Jeremy Allen** · #15 03-31-2006, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejuzek

Hello, are the Flex Diameter similar to the Spirocore Orch?

Yes, but the Flexocors seem to be a bit thicker except for the G which is maybe a little thinner than the Spirocore. This is based on feel, so someone with some calipers should feel free to jump in and correct my qualitative observation; but in a world in which one can play on Corellis or on guts, the diameter of Spiros and Flexos is similar.

I have Spiro orchestras on one bass and Flexocor '92 Starks on another, and I can't believe what I'm hearing when people say that the stark Flex's are good for pizz (as in, four-hour jazz gig pizz). The D and G of the Flexocors sound great for pizz, but on the Pullman I'm borrowing the A and E just go *thnk* without any sustain and no body to the note. I know that Ken Smith and Ray Parker have reported the opposite results, but just to muddy the waters I thought I'd mention it...

Of course, the bass makes all the difference, and I think on a great bass (like the one(s) Ken Smith plays) they could work. I had the light gauge Flex's on my bass when I bought it, and they were great for both pizz and bow work.

Istar · #16 04-01-2006, 02:36 PM

Could someone describe the difference in sound and play between the flexo`s and the spiro`s bow wise ?

I’m I right assuming the spiro`s are a very bright string ?

JoeyNaeger · #17 04-02-2006, 10:21 AM

Flexocors are some of the best bowing strings out there. Sound wise, they're much darker than the spirocors. The couple times I've played spiros arco, they were pretty loud but kind of scratchy and overly bright.

KSB - Ken Smith · #18 04-02-2006, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Istar

Could someone describe the difference in sound and play between the flexo`s and the spiro`s bow wise ?

I’m I right assuming the spiro`s are a very bright string ?

Grabs the bow and sounds Smooooooooooth...on the Flexs that is..

Spiros?, YOU grab the string, and saw away on them.. a bit buzzy but at a distance not as bad, Lesss fundamental in tone than the Flexs..

It's a no brainer.. If you bow, get Flexs.. If you Pizz, there are many choices but not many pizz strings are bowable without disturbing the cat!....

masmasbasso · #19 04-02-2006, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimclark68

Couldn't stand it any longer... I've got a set of Flex 92 starks on the way. More to come...

Hahaha... me too. I get mine tomorrow. I'll report back on them. I went back to Spirocore orchs for a while since that is what I cut my teeth at UNT. I have some old Corelli strings on right now, but they are too thin and bright for me even on my relatively dark bass. I look forward to using the Flex starks since I really need a good arco string and I want a meaty pizz sound and I don't care about heavy growl. I just hope the Flex Starks won't aggravate my hand and forearm issues.