Strings for a 5 string Pollmann
 

Hello all! I just got a great Pollmann 5 Busseto and i'm hoping to get some string advice. When I bought it, I asked for Bel Cantos, which I used frequently on my old bass along with some Kaplans. The Pollmann sounds bright and harsh with the Bel Cantos so I'm looking into getting something else. I play mainly classical, both solo and orchestral, and I hope to get a smooth chocolatey sound with a good response to the bow. I've read a little about Passione, Evahs, and Flexocors, but I have no experience with them. i don't necessarily need a 5 string set, as I can find a good set of 4 and experiment with low Bs. Thanks!

If you want smooth and chocolatey, Flexocor is where it's at. I have Flexocor 92 Stark on my arco bass, and they sound wonderful.

I was strongly considering some flexocors. My teacher and the guy at the bass shop both suggested them but they do cost a pretty penny. What is the bow response like?

That depends on which ones you get. I've tried the Originals, the 92s and the 92 Stark. The originals are edgy on the G and super deep and dark as you go down toward the open E. They bow smoothly (except the G if you catch it wrong) but need a lot of bow pressure. The 92s are more balanced and also bow smoothly, but the G is tamer and less expressive than the Original Flex G, and the E is too thin and weak compared to the rest of the set. I think it measures around .095. The Starks are better balanced but a little stiff. The upside is that they really sing, while the low notes vibrate the floor.

I recommend spirocores for bottom strings, especially the B. I've used it tuned to C and it's got a big, beefy, thick and throaty low note. the brightness goes away after a few days of bowing, and the notes stay full clear for a long time. I use the E and A on my orchestral bass with bel cantos on top and I'm always pleased with the sound.

I just heard Andy Anderson play on his Pollmann 5er with Bel Cantos (I think, orange threads) and spiro E and B. If they weren't Bels, then maybe permanents. What a great sound! He changed bows and the sound of the bass went from dark to more centered and midrange, so the bow has a lot to do with the end result. He would sound great on anything, though, so...

Spiros eh? I never even considered those! A few years back, I put a set on my old bass and I was underwhelmed by their arco sound while the pizz was nice. With the current Bel Cantos, I've noticed that my pernambuco bow has the most desirable sound, while giving off that harshness. My carbon fiber bow just exacerbates that, as it is super bright. I'm going to take my bass to the shop tomorrow and see if I can try out some "gently used" sets.

I have Spiro starks E & C on a Chinese 5stringer and its fine. I have an Obligato G and (don't laugh) two old Supersensitive Supreme D&A (replacing the other Obligatos) and the thing sounds great.

Supersensitive are much maligned strings: Pinnacles are the poor man's Flexocor/Flatchrome; Sensicore, the budget dominants. I couldn't begin to tell what they made the Supremes for but they work.

I've got a Pollman from Steve Swan to try that has all Spiros on it Mittel GDA/EC Stark and its just murder on my hands (a lot of that has to do with the neck and set up/string height)

Louis

Hi,

I was perusing Bob's site yesterday and wondered where the bass went. Congrats!

I have played in a section with that bass a while back and wanted to metion that it has always had an "edge" to the sound. I think it will have a slight edge no matter what string is on it. I would think that something with some really good dampening material would do well. I am suprised Bel Cantos don't sound that great...

You might also try some Jargar's. I have found those to be really nice. I think the last thing you need is spiro's on that bass. Velvets might also be good, or Flexocore Deluxe.

Good luck with the string quest,
Brian

I have Jaragr mediums on my Upton/Karr Deluxe hybrid and love them. I had fortes on the Argentine bass - and as Brian says they are a great string.
Louis

Thanks for the help y'all. I was really surprised that the Bel Cantos didn't do well on this bass. I have had great experience with them in the past and they even sound great on my friends basses. Drove down to see Bob this morning and tried out a wide variety of strings. After testing out various combinations of Bel Cantos, Kaplans, Flexicore Originals, Evahs, and Permanents, I ended up with a mix. Kaplan G, Flexicore D and A, and Permanent E. Then end result was a smooth and robust sound that was super easy to play! Tried out some solo rep and excerpts and this combo felt the best. I didn't get to try any Jargars since he didn't have any. But there were tons and tons of Spiros that Sanders found. Those guys are great! A big thanks to Bob and the Bass Violin Shop.

I appreciate the suggestions my fellow low enders!

I would third or fourth or whatever spiros. I used a low B for a scordatura and it was amazing.

I'm waiting to replace my Kaplans with a full set.

My next thing is looking at B strings. I will check out some, including some Spiros. How well did the Spiro B bow?

The ones I've used were just fine. I mean, spiros are a bit picky, but once you take ten minutes out of your day to figure out how they want to play ball, you'll be just fine. 8/10 cellists agree (the spiro low c is one of the most popular cello Cs)

But this comes from a guy who uses spiro low strings on his orchestral bass. Arr day, erry day.

eerbrev

They bow great. They were designed for Arco play, but are also amazing jazz strings. I think one reason why they have a negative rap for Arco is because it's mostly jazzers who play them, and obviously they dont play with the bow as much as us classical folk do. Look up Bejoyous on TB and find his threads. He's a great bassist that uses spiros and is a classical cat.

I have a Spiro Stark low C on the Chinese 5string. It's taken a few weeks for the string to open up, but it's a strong string.
Louis

First of all- congratulations on the new bass, AND finding a great way to string it! :)

Second- Mad props to your shop!!! The fact that they had the ability to let you try all those strings is simply amazing!!!

BTW- When you mentioned "dark chocolate" earlier in the thread I immediately thought of Passiones or Flex 92's.

Joe