string discoveries

[bassdogEmer]

After a while of being a more or less dedicated thomastik user (sans a couple of Velvet hiccups) I am looking for a different string. I have a juzek bass with a 42' string length. I used weichs for a while becuase I prefer a medium to high action - the thomastik orchestras sound kind of choked on my bass - but the weichs arent really doing it for me either. They sound so bright and I hate the weich G string.

so I was hoping to start a thread and get some advice on other strings. I have never tried the flat chrome steels or the permanants - what are these strings like?? I would love something in between the tension of the weichs and the orchestras. a darker string as well.
I know for sure I am not interested in obligatos, dominants and velvets - also not interested in kolstein strings.
so anybody got any advice?

[ctxbass]

Have you tried Superflexibles?
They are as you described: "in between the tension of the weichs and the orchestras. a darker string as well". I think they are more arco friendly too.

[bassdogEmer]

hi - yea thanks I have tried the superflexs - and they are the highest tension thomastik string - higher than orchestras... check the tension sticky

[ctxbass]

The Superflexibles feel lower in tension to me. Maybe it's just because I don't have to raise my bridge as high to get them sounding the way I want.
You might like Permanents. I'm using only the E&A paired with plain gut on top. They are darker than Spiros, but the pitch definition is still there. I have no idea what the top strings sound like though.

[RShew]

I have been through all of the strings you have listed. So far Oliv's have been the best for me (on D and G).

[bassdogEmer]

Hi all thanks for the advice - my probem was actually solved. the temperature here in nYC has been dipping into the below 10 degress range and my sound post was so tight in my bass that it was literally choking the sound of my bass. I had Bill Merchant recut my winter sound post and now my bass sounds and plays great with the same old mittel spiros I have had on it for a while...but thank you all..I am glad to not have to go spend a bunch of cash experimenting !

[greitzer]

Originally Posted by bassdogEmer

... the weichs arent really doing it for me either. They sound so bright and I hate the weich G string. . . I would love something in between the tension of the weichs and the orchestras. a darker string as well. . . so anybody got any advice?

Sounds like you've solved your problem, but in the future, if you are looking for a darker string that might be around the tension you want, try Pirastro Flexocors. Not the kind called "Original Flexocor," the kind called just plain "Flexocor". Beautiful string for arco, and fine for pizz as well. Considerably darker (less bright, less trebly) than Superflexibles or Spiros, at least on my bass.

[Reuben]

I just put an Oliv G on my bass and it's really cool. Great feel and sound. Big beautiful pizz, and the bowing is nice and musical. I'm psyched to try the D too. My spiro mittel E and A are just fine.

This has given me a new respect for obligatos because the obligato G I took off wasn't so hugely different in sound, just in feel. Nice to know!

The remaining factor for me will be how long Olivs last. I am hell on strings usually.