String Recomendation

JasperPeak · #1 03-16-2010, 09:06 AM

Could anybody recommend a good set of strings for Jazz and Bowing. Im not a super experienced player, but would like to improve with the Bow and was looking for a string that would work pretty good for bowing and still be able to get a reasonable sound while walking. The Bass I have is a Plywood Bass.
Any advise would be appreciated.

Andy

drurb · #2 03-16-2010, 09:23 AM

Evah Pirazzi weichs. IMO, great for jazz and perform very nicely with the bow. Take a look at the threads here on this topic.

Eric Hochberg · #3 03-16-2010, 09:37 AM

Ditto

Marc Piane · #4 03-16-2010, 09:57 AM

What level are you? Your profile is empty. Evahs are about ~$200 a set. They are a great string but if you are a beginner I'd consider something like D'Addario Orchestra. I've harped on those strings and would not buy them myself but they are half the price of Evahs and, at least the orchestras, seem to sound pretty good.

Also what kind of bass are we talkin? Plywood could mean a New Standard or a Palatino. No point in putting $200 strings on a bass that wouldn't benefit from them.

Eric Hochberg · #5 03-16-2010, 10:11 AM

Marc, now you're gumming up the works here!

I think the D'Addarios are probably a good string for bowing, but they just don't have it for jazz pizz, too dull and stiff, IMO. Maybe the lights or solos would be ok in that line if the OP is looking to spend less.

Marc Piane · #6 03-16-2010, 10:16 AM

I know. Just looking to stir up some ****.

Personally I hate D'Addarios. I love Evahs. But Evahs are spendy and D'Addarios are fine for a beginner.

If a fairly beginning student came to me with this question I probably wouldn't advise Evahs. They are great but not knowing his level or anything about his bass its hard to recommend something.

kwd · #7 03-16-2010, 10:30 AM

If you're looking for an affordable crossover string, you might want to consider Corelli 380 Xtra Forte. A set can be had from Southwest Strings for under $80. The E string is a little weak for pizz but they're really easy to bow. You aren't going to get thundering pizz volume but I've found the jazz pizz sound to be acceptable. I am also a big Dominant and Evah fan but with today's exchange rates I'm considering going back to Corellis when my current strings die.

When I started studying arco with an instructor I had D'Addarios. I switched to Corellis and life got better. In particular, the E and A strings were much easier to start with the bow.

Corelli 370 is also a good choice and has been well documented in these threads. The pizz sound of the 370 is a bit more aggressive to my ears. I like a more understated, darker pizz sound.

Good luck.

Eric Hochberg · #8 03-16-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwd

If you're looking for an affordable crossover string, you might want to consider Corelli 380 Xtra Forte.

Good suggestion. I gave a set of these to a swinging middle school kid when I saw her strings looked like they had been on the school's kay since it was new...

drurb · #9 03-16-2010, 07:53 PM

So it seems we agree that if the $200 is ok with the OP, then EP weichs are the #1 recommendation.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #10 03-16-2010, 08:16 PM

I think it's difficult to give a recommendation without more information about the bass. Some plywoods are dark, some nasal, some bright, whatever. I've owned two plywoods, one a Christopher and presently an old German. Both were pretty dark, the German is dark as night. Spirocores bow very nicely on that bass.
FWIW, everyone of my students plays Helicore orchestras and I hate them. With the lousy setups on their basses, Hybrids would be an improvement, but I would never recommend they drop $200 on a set of strings.
IF I were to give a recommendation without seeing the bass it would be for Superflex of Helicore Hybrids.

drurb · #11 03-16-2010, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

I think it's difficult to give a recommendation without more information about the bass. Some plywoods are dark, some nasal, some bright, whatever. I've owned two plywoods, one a Christopher and presently an old German. Both were pretty dark, the German is dark as night. Spirocores bow very nicely on that bass.
FWIW, everyone of my students plays Helicore orchestras and I hate them. With the lousy setups on their basses, Hybrids would be an improvement, but I would never recommend they drop $200 on a set of strings.
IF I were to give a recommendation without seeing the bass it would be for Superflex of Helicore Hybrids.

Have you played Evah weichs? Of course, no string is good for every bass and one can't really determine much until one tries. That said, I've heard and played Evah weichs on quite a few basses of different types (ply, hybrid, carved) and they do quite well. My own bass is dark sounding and the Evahs sound great on it. The OP said nothing about being a student and his profile is incomplete. Had he specified a budget, my suggestion might have been different. He asked for a recommendation for strings that would be good for jazz and arco. Based on my own experience and that of many others here, I can't think of a better or a more appropriate suggestion. One thing that has impressed me about what people here have posted is the high degree of success experienced with the Evahs across different players and basses. So, IMO, especially without seeing/hearing the bass the Evah weichs are a string that, a priori, offer a very high probability of success.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #12 03-16-2010, 09:57 PM

I can't disagree. EP weichs were on my bass for three weeks and in that time I really enjoyed the arco response. The pizz wasn't to my liking, especially amplified.
They were really nice in my practice room though.
Different strokes.

drurb · #13 03-17-2010, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

I can't disagree. EP weichs were on my bass for three weeks and in that time I really enjoyed the arco response. The pizz wasn't to my liking, especially amplified.
They were really nice in my practice room though.
Different strokes.

Yup, nowhere does "YMMV" hold as much as it does for strings! With the Evahs, I got some of the best amplified sound I ever had. A dark-sounding bass with dark-sounding strings. Go figure! So many variables-- the bass, pickup, amp, style, preferences. Sure isn't "one size fits all."

Uncletoad · #14 03-17-2010, 08:15 AM

Spirocores and a teacher.

drurb · #15 03-17-2010, 08:50 AM

Yeah, but he wants to use the bow!

Uncletoad · #16 03-17-2010, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

Yeah, but he wants to use the bow!

I'm starting a trend. For everyone asking for assistance in choosing strings I'm saying the same thing.

Buy Spirocores and Get a Teacher.

I'm tired of splitting hairs.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #17 03-17-2010, 10:38 AM

But I want to be a better bass player.
Checklist to improve:
-bass
-strings
-bow
-rosin

I'm with Toad. Period.

Uncletoad · #18 03-17-2010, 11:00 AM

Right. That's the talking point then.

Fwiw, I agree that evah weichs on a young ply bass stands a pretty good chance of being a nice sounding easy bowing good pizz string.

However, If you can bow spirocores you can bow anything. Spirocores sound great under the bow if you have a good hand and when you have deficiencies they stick out in a way that you don't have much problem addressing them.

And, I defy anyone to find an all around better pizz string than Spirocore.

So if they help your bowing chops develop and sound great pizz that and a teacher couldn't be a better recommendation.

Not the easier softer way but that wasn't the question.

drurb · #19 03-17-2010, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

But I want to be a better bass player.
Checklist to improve:
-bass
-strings
-bow
-rosin

I'm with Toad. Period.

Sure, there are players who should concentrate more on improving their skills than tweaking the instrument and accessories. I think it would be a bit unfair to generalize too far though. It's okay to explore changes in strings, etc. to enhance the sound you make. Most of us here have done the "string thing." I suspect you would agree.

JasperPeak · #20 03-17-2010, 09:35 PM

Wow, This is my first thread on Talk Bass, thank you for all of the advise. I really appreciate your input. Does the fact that its an old Kay Base make a differnence?? I want to get better with the Bow. However I notice the E and the A string are very hard to get a sound out of when they are fretted (held down ). Not sure if its lousy technique or bad strings or probably both. The strings have been on for about 6 years. I have played on and off over a 10 year period. I do need new strings just want to invest in some strings that would make the learning experience a little easier while bowing. If a string is more for bowing do I loose some of the fat sound is that right??

Thankyou - Its a an Original Kay Base C1 Model

Andy