Which strings for me?

[LuisaM]

I'm still looking for a new bass and I won't buy strings before that. However, I've been reading some threads about strings and I figured it is better if I start thinking what will be the best for me when the time comes...
I've seen the dominant in lemur and was thinking about those, but after reading some of the threads, I've changed my mind. One of the things people said is that they are more likely to break if you change from solo and orquestra tunning a lot. And I do that almost every day, sometimes more than once!
So, maybe I should tell you what I'm looking for, and you can give me your opinion on what you think suits me.

I play in orchestras 4 days a week, and sometimes more. Oh, and in other chamber music groups practicly every day! I use solo strings, and every time I'm playing solo or studying for me, I change to solo tunning! Since I started doing that, I can't stand the sound of the bass tunned down.
I have little use for pizzicato, but I love strings that aloud them to "live" longer.
So, I think my problem is this: I want strings (solo) that allow the bass to sing, but that can be tunned down whithout loosing sound. In orchestra, I love to find those fff written and the problem is that with solo strings tunned down, they sometimes hit the bass (the arm of the bass, I don't know how it's called) and produce some parasite sounds. Do you know what I mean?

Is this asking too much for just one set of strings?
Unfortunately, I can't afford to have 2 basses, because it is the more logical solution. I will have to sell the one I have to buy another...

[Thomas Stone]

....... parasite sounds. .....

great phrase!

what are your current solo strings?
you will always have the problem of solo strings being too floppy tuned down.

You could try Jargar Dolce strings.
I doubt these will last too long if you regularly uptune/detune them, but they may go some way to what you want to hear.

Also how about Velvet compass 180 suit?

[LuisaM]

I never heard of those... You can find them at lemur, right?.
The ones I have were given to me used, so I'm not sure, but I think they are pirastro. I don't really like the A string (I mean the highest one).

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by LuisaM

I never heard of those... You can find them at lemur, right?.
The ones I have were given to me used, so I'm not sure, but I think they are pirastro. I don't really like the A string (I mean the highest one).

What are the silk colors at the tailpiece and at the pegs?
We could ID them.

[MilesC]

I'd recommend D'Addario Solo strings or Pirstro Flexocors. From my experience, they both are very versatile and pleasing to the ear. Do not get Thomastik Spirocores. They lose there tone over time.

[Peck_Time]

Originally Posted by MilesC

Do not get Thomastik Spirocores. They lose there tone over time.

-Really?

[Francois Blais]

That's funny, I thought *all* strings were loosing tone over time!

In addition, the Spirocores are probably the most durable on this side of the galaxy.

Go figure!

(with all due respect!)

[bonaventura]

Originally Posted by LuisaM

One of the things people said is that they are more likely to break if you change from solo and orquestra tunning a lot. And I do that almost every day, sometimes more than once!
... I want strings (solo) that allow the bass to sing, but that can be tunned down whithout loosing sound.
... Is this asking too much for just one set of strings?
Unfortunately, I can't afford to have 2 basses, because it is the more logical solution. I will have to sell the one I have to buy another...

Luisa, you could obviously use 2 basses. But if not that, then maybe a string that does not need time to adjust to a different tuning would be good for you. Thomastik Spirocores are like that, as Francois suggested. You tune them and they stay tuned. Sometimes for months. It is amazing! Good luck, that's my 2 cents on that one...

[Kjetil Laukholm]

I would suggest you find an orchestra tuned setup that works for you. Look into Permanents or corelli mediums (the ones francois uses) or even Bel Canto for a heavier setup. Those are well suited to play solos without scordatura.

[AndersLasson]

I am sorry for my ignorance; what is "scordatura"?

BR, Anders

[Kjetil Laukholm]

scordatura refers to alternate tunings.