String Suggestion

[Eli_Upright12]

So I just got a set of Belcantos, which I really like with the exception of the E string that was too low tension and caused a mysterious rattle in the bass. My luthier was gracious enough to give me an old Helicore Orchestral E, and it works alright, eliminates the rattle if nothing else. So I guess I would like to ask suggestions about strings that would have a decent about of tension but would blend well with the Belcantos, I'm also looking for something with a little more attack. Thanks in advance for the help.

[Francois Blais]

Did you ever tried Flexocors?
I assume you play classical bow only?
The Flexocor is the most popular classical bass string.
And you shouldn't get any rattling from them.

[Eli_Upright12]

Originally Posted by Francois Blais

Did you ever tried Flexocors?
I assume you play classical bow only?
The Flexocor is the most popular classical bass string.
And you shouldn't get any rattling from them.

I'll give that a try, I'm looking for a string that has punch to it, but still gives that big full orchestral sound when bowed on long note. The main problem I'm having with the Helicore E is that it seems to take for ever to start, almost like it has no attack. Actually the Belcanto A is a little that way also, but maybe thats just me adjusting to the lower tension of the string.

[Eli_Upright12]

What do people think about Chromcors or Permanents?

[dchan]

I currently use a Helicore E with Flexocor A,D,G on my German plywood. The bass isn't quite setup optimally yet, and I will be taking it into my luthier this week.

But for the moment, it is my favorite combination, mostly because I happened to have a Helicore E around. The set gets me a nice, deep sound, although it requires more bow pressure than I would assume the Belcantos can take. Whether or not that appeals to you, I don't know.

Attack wise, my G string has problems - it really tends to squeak under heavier bow pressure. I'm not sure whether it was because it was because it's an old, heavily used string, a bad string, or because of the setup (my fingerboard is rattling right now). But I've had a great experience with Flexocor G strings before - my favorite G string ever.

I only tried Permanents once before, and I found them to be pretty good.

I had Chromcors on my high school's bass back then. I had no problems with them: nice strings all around, arco and pizz. But it has been a while since I last played them.

[bonaventura]

Originally Posted by Eli_Upright12

So I just got a set of Belcantos, which I really like with the exception of the E string that was too low tension and caused a mysterious rattle in the bass. My luthier was gracious enough to give me an old Helicore Orchestral E, and it works alright, eliminates the rattle if nothing else. So I guess I would like to ask suggestions about strings that would have a decent about of tension but would blend well with the Belcantos, I'm also looking for something with a little more attack. Thanks in advance for the help.

I play mostly pizz, about 70/30 pizz/arco. I put on a new set of Belcantos over a year ago. I soon realized the Belcanto A and especially the E were too lame sounding. Not responsive, slow to react, too deep and muddy sounding on my bass as it was then set up.

For me good old Spiros were the answer. You might try playing Belcanto G and D with Spiro Mittel E and Weich A. You want punch, attack, sustain? I find it's plenty. If you go to the Mittel A, it may not blend as well and the size difference will be more pronounced.

The Spiros blend well with the BCs tone-wise, and for me they filled the gap where the Belcanto E and A were not responding. In fact the Spiros when new were too responsive, too bright, but after they settle in and mellow out they are for me a good match for the BC G and D.

[Eli_Upright12]

Originally Posted by bonaventura

The Spiros blend well with the BCs tone-wise, and for me they filled the gap where the Belcanto E and A were not responding. In fact the Spiros when new were too responsive, too bright, but after they settle in and mellow out they are for me a good match for the BC G and D.

Thanks for the ideas, I think the Spirocores are a no go on my bass, I tried an old Weich and the rattle appeared again, plus they are quite difficult to bow. I'm noticing that the Belcanto A is getting better as it breaks in but is still a little reluctant to have that pop to it.

[Francois Blais]

Do some search on the forum.
The Permanents have been discussed a lot.

The Chromcors are nice, but their main drawback if the use of a solid steel core. (yes, it's the oldest steel string design)
They're stiff and rigid because of the core.

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by Eli_Upright12

Thanks for the ideas, I think the Spirocores are a no go on my bass, I tried an old Weich and the rattle appeared again, plus they are quite difficult to bow.

Why don't you figure out what is rattling and fix that instead of looking for a string that won't make the bass rattle? Then you can use any strings you like.

[fingers]

Originally Posted by ehochberg

Why don't you figure out what is rattling and fix that instead of looking for a string that won't make the bass rattle? Then you can use any strings you like.

Really? You mean the bass isn't supposed to rattle when you use certain strings? Come on Eli. You are a bright enough kid to figure this much out. If you can't deal with it on you own... get thee to a luthier. Just some friendly ribbing.

Sometimes the mysterious rattle is caused by a high spot between where you are fingering and the nut. The way to check this is to play a note on the E string and dampen the part between your finger and the nut with your chin. If the rattle disappears then you need a little fingerboard dressing.

[Eli_Upright12]

Originally Posted by fingers

Really? You mean the bass isn't supposed to rattle when you use certain strings? Come on Eli. You are a bright enough kid to figure this much out. If you can't deal with it on you own... get thee to a luthier. Just some friendly ribbing.

Sometimes the mysterious rattle is caused by a high spot between where you are fingering and the nut. The way to check this is to play a note on the E string and dampen the part between your finger and the nut with your chin. If the rattle disappears then you need a little fingerboard dressing.

My luthier and I tried everything we could think of and the only thing that changed the rattle was the E string. The rattle should really be reclassified as mysterious resonance. It was a low pitched ringing that was only on the E string. No matter what noted was played on the E string a sound of equal pitch and volume rung out. Rather than having my luthier open up the top and dig around more than likely to no avail (probably costing me a couple hundred dollars), it seems more logical just to have a high tension string.

[fingers]

Sound like you need an exorcist not a luthier.

[Eli_Upright12]

Originally Posted by fingers

Sound like you need an exorcist not a luthier.

Yes indeed, its quite annoying to spend over 200 dollars on a set of strings then fight out there is some mystical reason they just dont want to work on your bass.

[Francois Blais]

The bass bar maybe?

[bonaventura]

Originally Posted by Eli_Upright12

My luthier and I tried everything we could think of and the only thing that changed the rattle was the E string. The rattle should really be reclassified as mysterious resonance. It was a low pitched ringing that was only on the E string. No matter what noted was played on the E string a sound of equal pitch and volume rung out. Rather than having my luthier open up the top and dig around more than likely to no avail (probably costing me a couple hundred dollars), it seems more logical just to have a high tension string.

Eli if the Weich isn't enough tension, how about a Spiro Mittel E? Contrary to myth, it is quite bowable.

[Eli_Upright12]

Originally Posted by Francois Blais

The bass bar maybe?

nope we checked that too.

[fingers]

If it were me I'd take it to another luthier then. Whatever it is I wouldn't want my string choice governed by some strange resonance that one guy can't figure out.

[Uncletoad]

Belcanto E kinda sucks. On many basses it doesn't have enough energy to keep up with the D/G strings. Possible replacements are Permanent E, Flexocor 92 E either Regular Tension or Stark.

I do agree with the Flexocor suggestion. It's a very popular orchestral string for good reason.

Perhaps start with the E and see what you think.

[TroyK]

I recall the regular gauge Flex 92 being kind of wimpy too and people either going up to a stark or using a different string all together. I used a Permenant when I had them on. Very nice strings. I've not used original flexicores.

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by TroyK

I recall the regular gauge Flex 92 being kind of wimpy too and people either going up to a stark or using a different string all together. I used a Permenant when I had them on. Very nice strings. I've not used original flexicores.

I agree. the Flex 92 regular is the equivalent of Weich tension, the Stark more like a Mittel.

Given the Belcanto being closer to Weich than Mittel I thought the Regular gage would work best.