Superflexible Solo

TroyK · #1 12-09-2008, 01:33 PM

Does anyone know the gauge/diameter of Superflexible Solos? I've read everything ever written about them on Talkbass, looked at every string chart I know of, been to the TI website and even pulled up pictures of packages that I've been able to find, but to no avail.

**Francois Blais** · #2 12-09-2008, 02:21 PM

I'll check tonight...

moles · #3 12-09-2008, 03:26 PM

Francois probably has accurate, official gauges, but quick measurements with a ruler give:

F# 2.3 mm
B 1.6 mm
D 1.3 mm
A 1.0 mm

These are probably quite approximate, but I'm curious how close you get by eyeballing against a steel ruler.

TroyK · #4 12-09-2008, 03:47 PM

Well, we'll see tomorrow. Thanks to you both.

Are you playing them as solo strings or tuned down?

Michael Glynn · #5 12-09-2008, 05:04 PM

Wait--I thought you were interested in higher tension strings?

TroyK · #6 12-09-2008, 05:51 PM

I don't have a problem, I'm ... just doing research for a book I'm writing ... they're not mine ... they're for a friend...

Actually, truth be told, I haven't changed a string or a setup and I'm still just playing and practicing with things as they are. The bass is happy and the sound is great. But, I'm considering non-invasive experiments that would have minimal impact on my setup.

I am so sold on the value of the setup, that I wouldn't switch from say...weichs to mittels without taking Ilsa back to to Jake in this whole other country to work his magic. So, I can't really go high tension without making a big move. And I don't think my bass will be as happy high tension, she's old and cranky.

It's the weich D that I'm overplaying and I'm considering what might be bigger in gauge by a bit and similar in tension that might live harmoniously with my setup and still sound as sonically good. I've got a FCS G, which is the only string that not a weich on the bass now. I really like it and have used it before with other setups. I don't like the FCS D, though and in gauge anyway, it's thinner than the weich for some reason. (the G is bigger) I've contimplated putting a Flex '92 Reg D and G on there that I have somewhere in the abyss that is my string drawer, but I'm not really convinced that I want to go back that direction sonically. I always liked the way that they felt and I think the gauge and tension would be about right.

Considering Obligatos for D and G since they would feel meatier and have similar tension. But Obligatos are an old girlfriend that I never quite forgave for flaking out on me. That being said, it wasn't the D and G Oblis that were a problem to me (or anyone), but the lower strings, which I won't ever go near again..ever. Noticed Obligato solos were still larger in gauge than what I'm using and wondered about SF solos. Might match weich tension reasonably tuned to orch pitch and I was curious about gauge. Probably just a data curiousity, but it also seems like missing information to our otherwise fairly complete index at this point.

I'll likely do nothing unless I take it Jake to do right.

moles · #7 12-09-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyK

Well, we'll see tomorrow. Thanks to you both.

Are you playing them as solo strings or tuned down?

I've got them tuned down to orchestral pitch. That's on a full 44" mensur though - so I don't think the tension is *that* much lower than weichs would be on something 42" or shorter.
I put a Prelude E (probably medium) on awhile ago, and finally hit the sweet spot for tension on my bass. Then inexplicably put the full set of plain guts on...

Jake deVilliers · #8 12-09-2008, 06:27 PM

Hey Troy, you should go ahead and try the FCS D on there. That's what Maiken's bass has and you seemed to dig her bass.........

The string I don't like on her bass is the Weich A, it seems a little flabby to me - good thing I'm getting my own together.

TroyK · #9 12-09-2008, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moles

- so I don't think the tension is *that* much lower than weichs would be on something 42" or shorter.

I don't want lower tension than the weich. I'd kind of like larger in gauge, at least on the D. SF Orch are usually perceived to be a bit higher tension than Mittels, so I thought maybe...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

Hey Troy, you should go ahead and try the FCS D on there.

I may try that. I'm not sure that I have one any more, but I'll check the vault or I may order one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

That's what Maiken's bass has and you seemed to dig her bass.........

I did dig her bass. When I got there for my setup, I would say that her Kay sounded about 2x as "happy" as Ilsa. When I left, though, the tables had turned a bit. Sorry, Maiken.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

The string I don't like on her bass is the Weich A, it seems a little flabby to me

I want to play some more with the strings I have. I've got a trio thing this weekend that will give me another referrence point. I'm not sure that the E and A weichs are troubling to me. I really notice the D. The FCS G is much better, but it is a little thin and I don't love the way fine wire grates on me over 4 sets.

Still interested in the specs on the SF solos. I've got a few orch SFs, that I think won't match well with the weichs or setup, but I might get inspired to pop them on at some point. I'll see if there is a FCS D around. Might still try the Flex '92s D/G. The result might surprise me. I always really wanted to like those strings.

And, I'm seriously considering trying a D/G Obligato. The tension stats look close but slightly higher than what I think the weich/FCS might be now. The gauge is much bigger. I know the feel is nice and supple. I liked that set, I just tore the lower two apart with my monster chops. I didn't live with them long enough to know how the sound held up over time.

When I listen to the Herve sound samples, I actually still really like the Obligato sound in that context. I honestly think that Obligatos, Mittels and Animas sound best in his Pizz samples. I know that Animas are not for me. So, I'm really kind of leaning towards a Weich, Weich, Obligato, Obligato experiment...or just stop thinking and play.

Actually, I'm going to go practice right now.

**Francois Blais** · #10 12-09-2008, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moles

Francois probably has accurate, official gauges, but quick measurements with a ruler give:

F# 2.3 mm
B 1.6 mm
D 1.3 mm
A 1.0 mm

These are probably quite approximate, but I'm curious how close you get by eyeballing against a steel ruler.

Here's what I get with a caliper:

F# 2.44mm (0.096")
B (H) 1.83mm (0.072")
E 1.62mm (0.064")
A 1.16mm (0.046")

TroyK · #11 12-09-2008, 10:02 PM

Thanks to all.

Interestingly, for the D and G strings (as tuned), Superflexible Solos are the same gauge as Spirocore Weichs. The A and E are not (solos are smaller, as you would suspect).

So, curious. Might be worth an experiment to pair with weichs at some point. I'll keep a curious eye out for something floating across the classifieds, but it probably wouldn't change my situation enough to purchase new.

I really appreciate the responses. I edited the Wiki to add these measurements.

Francois, you might want to edit this, though:
String gauges

moles · #12 12-09-2008, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyK

Interestingly, for the D and G strings (as tuned), Superflexible Solos are the same gauge as Spirocore Weichs. The A and E are not .....
So, curious. Might be worth an experiment to pair with weichs at some point.

I was just thinking the same thing. Little bit of growl on the low side, little bit of warmth up top... The credit card's staying in the wallet right now though.

bribass · #13 12-10-2008, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyK

I've contimplated putting a Flex '92 Reg D and G on there that I have somewhere in the abyss that is my string drawer, but I'm not really convinced that I want to go back that direction sonically. I always liked the way that they felt and I think the gauge and tension would be about right.

FWIW for a long time I used to use;

Flex 92- G
Weich - D
Weich - A
Mittel - E

I remember liking this combo on my German shop bass, but I recall the Flex G dying and becoming a bit stiff before the Spiros would.

Uncletoad · #14 12-10-2008, 01:52 AM

Everytime I spend a couple gigs with the Flexocor 92 on my D/G I remember why I took them off.

To slow, to much swamp in some rooms. Great Arco but in a blending way. They don't cut through like spirocores do.

**Francois Blais** · #15 12-10-2008, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyK

Francois, you might want to edit this, though:
String gauges

Hi Troy.
Edit what?
Being no longer a mod, I can't edit anything but my own posts, and only if they're not too old.

Uncletoad · #16 12-10-2008, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francois Blais

Hi Troy.
Edit what?
Being no longer a mod, I can't edit anything but my own posts, and only if they're not too old.

I.E. tell it to someone who cares.

**Francois Blais** · #17 12-10-2008, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

I.E. tell it to someone who cares.

I'm probably thick, but this doesn't help.

If something needs to be edited somewhere, please ask a moderator to do so, and exactly where.
I can't help.

P.S. The joy of using a secondary language...

TroyK · #18 12-10-2008, 10:55 AM

Sorry, Francois, I didn't know you weren't still a mod. I'll figure out who it could be. In the String Gauges sticky, there is a post with a list of gauges by manufacturer. The SF Solos weren't on there. There is also a link to a wiki that I was able to edit, but obviously can't edit the post. You were actually the last to edit it, so that's where my mind went.

Toad, I have the same relationship with Flexicores. I really want to like them. I like them from a tactile standpoint and when I've listened to other people sit in on my Flexicore-shod bass, I thought it sounded great, but standing over it, mush.

I went through an orchestral-string-for-jazz phase, but I'm really over it. Jazzers and Spirocores are just so much more useful.

Uncletoad · #19 12-10-2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francois Blais

I'm probably thick, but this doesn't help.

If something needs to be edited somewhere, please ask a moderator to do so, and exactly where.
I can't help.

P.S. The joy of using a secondary language...

Sorry, no offense. It's a joke. Prolly doesn't translate as the sarcastic and playful tone it was meant in.

Uncletoad · #20 12-10-2008, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyK

Toad, I have the same relationship with Flexicores. I really want to like them. I like them from a tactile standpoint and when I've listened to other people sit in on my Flexicore-shod bass, I thought it sounded great, but standing over it, mush.

I went through an orchestral-string-for-jazz phase, but I'm really over it. Jazzers and Spirocores are just so much more useful.

yea. ditto.