Super Flexibles vs LaBella Rope Core

[bassturtle]

Made my way through the stickies and found some great info in there! So thanks to everyone who contributed to those. With the help of some of those threads, I've narrowed my search down to LaBella Rope Core or Thomastik Super Flexibles and wanted your opinions.

Right now, I have a laminate 3/4 that used primarily for pretty traditional (singer songwriter, folk, bluegrass, old time, etc) music, but it's strung up with some high tension orchestral strings. I've been playing on them for a couple of years now off and on, and I've decided that I'm either a huge wuss or they're just too high tension for what I'm looking for.

I'd like something with a softer darker tone like gut, but being able to bow is also important. So what say you, talkbass? Would either the super flexibles or the ropecore do what I'm looking for? Would one be better than the other?

[Francois Blais]

What strings do you have on right now?
We need a reference to your actual setup.

Did the bass had a good setup by a luthier?

[bassturtle]

Originally Posted by francois

What strings do you have on right now?
We need a reference to your actual setup.

Did the bass had a good setup by a luthier?

I'm not sure. The strings are what came with it. They're all chrome and a lot higher tension than a lot of other uprights that I've played. I had it setup shortly after I got it having the strings brought down a bit to make life a little easier on me.

You want some measurements or something? Would that help?

[bassist1962]

Originally Posted by bassturtle

I'm not sure. The strings are what came with it. They're all chrome and a lot higher tension than a lot of other uprights that I've played. I had it setup shortly after I got it having the strings brought down a bit to make life a little easier on me.

You want some measurements or something? Would that help?

What are the peg and tailpiece thread colors?

[greitzer]

Originally Posted by bassturtle

I'd like something with a softer darker tone like gut, but being able to bow is also important. So what say you, talkbass? Would either the super flexibles or the ropecore do what I'm looking for? Would one be better than the other?

I wouldn't describe Superflexibles as a "darker tone like gut." I am using them now and I like them a lot, but dark like gut they're not. I have no experience with the LaBellas.

You might ask around about Flexocors, Dominants, and Jargars. Of those three, I believe the Jargars would be the closest to what you're describing (although everybody hears things differently).

[Francois Blais]

I agree with John.
Neither will provide the gut-like tone you want.
The Jargars would be the softest, but with pizz you may find them somewhat dead.
Depends on your taste.
The Flexocor '92s (not the Original Flexocors) are probably the most popular orchestral string, and the pizz tone is nice too.
You may wish to use another E string though, because this one is quite floppy and dead in this set.

But first, give us the silk threads colors (both peg and tailpiece ends) so we know what you're using.

[Thomas Stone]

I agree with everyting said so far.

I really rate the jargar mediums, but as francois and others have said before the A and E string lose some definition pizz.

I have used superflexibles for a long time (now using the A and E with Jargar D and G)

They are not low tension. On my bass they are noticeably tighter under the left hand than spirocore mediums. They have more punch than jargars, but I attribute this to them having a pronounced midrange content. I'm now finding the sound of them quite objectionable, but this is because my tastes have changed.

There has recently been some talk about innovation strings. (search the thread titles).
I'm going to give these a try next.
The 140Bs may fit your needs.

[TroyK]

You may consider Helicore Orchestrals too. Relatively inexpensive in the US. Good Pizz tone, bows well and the mediums have a nice, not-too-heavy tension.

The LaBellas are kind of a niche string. Most of the jazz string junkies haven't tried them or at least never mention them. I'll make the broad generalization that Thomastik (Superflexible) is considered a higher quality string of the two, but that doesn't mean that it's right for you.

You asked if maybe you were just a giant wuss. Well, it's possible. Or to be nicer about it than you, it takes a fair bit of playing to build up the strength that you really need. Not just years, but weekly playing. If you practice scales and arco every day or several a week and have good technique (pulling with your arm weight rather than trying to clamp with your hand) it gets better. That being said, I prefer a somewhat more supple string too. No way for us to know about you, but hopefully you have someone near you who can check out your position.

I'm curious about what your strings are too. Describe them or take some photos of the windings on both ends. Francois is like a human Wikipedia when it comes to string IDs.

Troy

[bassturtle]

Okay, I'll take a look when I get home tonight and tell you guys what the threading is. I could be wrong, but I want to say they are all red.

[TroyK]

Look on both ends.

Relatively high tension, want something more gut like, red on both ends...the early prediction is going to be medium gauge Spirocores (a fine string), but there are actually a few other things that they could be as well.

-tk

[bassturtle]

Originally Posted by francois

The Jargars would be the softest, but with pizz you may find them somewhat dead.

Are they that much different than the Rope Core Labellas? From what I've read, they're relatively similar...maybe I'm mistaken.

[bassturtle]

Originally Posted by TroyK

You asked if maybe you were just a giant wuss. Well, it's possible. Or to be nicer about it than you, it takes a fair bit of playing to build up the strength that you really need. Not just years, but weekly playing. If you practice scales and arco every day or several a week and have good technique (pulling with your arm weight rather than trying to clamp with your hand) it gets better. That being said, I prefer a somewhat more supple string too. No way for us to know about you, but hopefully you have someone near you who can check out your position.

There is probably more truth in this paragraph than I'm willing to admit. I'm probably just being a pansy and need to spend some more hardcore practice time on these strings. They sound great both pizz and arco.

[TroyK]

Yeah, I wouldn't call you a wuss, that was your word, but you do have to condition for it. String Tension can be a factor, but generally people get used to what they have. Set up can also be a factor. There is some black magic to getting the string to vibrate just right. If I play someone else's bass with a bad set up, I just can't deal and it doesn't matter what type of strings are on it.

But, it's mostly technique. Good players with good technique (I don't mean me) can play anything. If you've got a reasonably good bass, with a reasonably good set up and reasonably good strings, a few lessons and a lot of practice will make that pain go away a lot faster and cheaper than equipment.

[bassturtle]

Originally Posted by TroyK

Yeah, I wouldn't call you a wuss, that was your word, but you do have to condition for it. String Tension can be a factor, but generally people get used to what they have. Set up can also be a factor. There is some black magic to getting the string to vibrate just right. If I play someone else's bass with a bad set up, I just can't deal and it doesn't matter what type of strings are on it.

But, it's mostly technique. Good players with good technique (I don't mean me) can play anything. If you've got a reasonably good bass, with a reasonably good set up and reasonably good strings, a few lessons and a lot of practice will make that pain go away a lot faster and cheaper than equipment.

Yeah, I'm gonna just stick with my current setup and bear through it. Thanks for all the help guys. Sometimes I just need a kick in the pants.

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by TroyK

Look on both ends.

Relatively high tension, want something more gut like, red on both ends...the early prediction is going to be medium gauge Spirocores (a fine string), but there are actually a few other things that they could be as well.

-tk

Like the dreaded Super-Sensitive Red Labels...

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by bassturtle

Are they that much different than the Rope Core Labellas? From what I've read, they're relatively similar...maybe I'm mistaken.

The LaBellas are bright strings.
The have nothing in common with Jargars.

[bassturtle]

Originally Posted by francois

The LaBellas are bright strings.
The have nothing in common with Jargars.

Well there ya go. Shows how much I know.