SPIROCORE WEICH - can it be tuned whole step higher?

pao_bass · #1 04-21-2007, 03:03 AM

i play both jazz and classical bass. right now, i use helicore hybrid heavy gauge. although i am pretty satisfied with its sound and bowability - i play sonatas, concerto, and a bach suite using the hybrids. the reason why i use hybrids is because i prefer its brighter soung compared to the helicore arcos.
a lot of people in this forum say that spirocores project better than the helicores. now, i'm curious. first of all, will the spirocore weich be able to suit my needs for a bright sounding string? and second, being a helicore hybrid user for more than a year and so far finding no techinical difficulties bowing them so far, would i be able to adjust easily once i start using spirocores under the bow? and lastly, can the spirocore weich withstand the added tension when i tune them up to solo tuning? thanks for any input on this...

**Francois Blais** · #2 04-21-2007, 11:22 AM

Why not use solo Spiros instead?

Andy Allen · #3 04-21-2007, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francois

Why not use solo Spiros instead?

Absolutely. A lot of the Latin Jazz guys around here use solo Spiros tuned to orchestra pitch. They're actually just a hair lighter than weichs then. Once they are at solo pitch they are tighter of course - somewhere between weichs and mittels I expect.

Because Spiros are nigh-on indestructible you should have no reliability problems with tuning and de-tuning regularly.

Andy

mrpc · #4 04-21-2007, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pao_bass

can the spirocore weich withstand the added tension when i tune them up to solo tuning? thanks for any input on this...

The Weichs probably will, but what about the top of your bass.....the Thomastik Solo Superflexibles (Rope Core) might work well.

jsbarber · #5 04-21-2007, 08:26 PM

Since you want to play in solo tuning, why not start out with Spirocore medium gauge (Mittel) which can be purchased in solo tuning? Why go directly to Weich?

Jim

joel kelsey · #6 04-22-2007, 01:44 AM

I n my experience, Weichs are very hard to bow. I have been using a set for a couple of months and they are still very difficult. I have trouble just getting a sound, and the sound I do get is scratchy and tinny. I have regular spirocores on my other bass, and they sound and play much better than the Weichs.

Phil Rowan · #7 04-22-2007, 12:43 PM

I know the Spiros get a bad rap as arco strings, but I've had no problem using Mittels for both playing jazz/improv and for playing through solo classical pieces. Sure, they're not quite on the same level as Jargars or Flexocors or Flatchroms for pure classical playing, but I feel like I can get a more than decent enough sound using the Mittels.
One of my teachers' basses, an old Juzek, is strung with Mittels, and it was probably one of the best orchestral arco sounds I've heard. Very warm, silky, and dark at the same time.

pao_bass · #8 04-26-2007, 05:03 AM

what? spiro mittels tuned to solo pitch? is that possible? how hard would that be to play? btw, i won't be keeping my bass in solo tuning, i just need it for repertoire in my solo recital. so im not entertaining the thought of purchasing solo strings... honestly, is there any difference in the sound of the mittels from the weichs? bowed and plucked?

i pretty much think the top of my bass can withstand the pressure of solo tuned weichs, because i think it can withstand helicore heavys tuned solo, which i think has more tension

also, is there any difference in terms of bowability between the hybrid helicore heavys and the weichs? thanks for your ideas