Superflexible solo gage

[bribass]

Anybody ever try these?

I love the medium gage as great versatile strings for pizz and arco. On my bass they are not too stiff or bright as others report about them on theirs. However, on those low energy days or high humidity situations I do get curious about the solo gage SF's tuned to regular pitch.

I know they'd probably be a bit easier on the hands w/ lower tension, but are they too whimpy for more aggressive "digging in" type playing?

Thnx, BG

[Downright_Low]

Good question...

P.S.
Solo Obligato at EADG is what I use now - very LH friendly, and amazing tone. First time I've had Obligato, or a synthetic string. I have a relative who used them on violin - what a sound he got - so that's when I said to hell with what I've heard said... there's something I heard that impressed me enough (beside the fact it was Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1). Though some have said they aren't for the bow I really like these. In fact... I cannot say they are any less useful/quality than Flexocor '92's or OG Flexocor; they're just softer than either of those two. ...What that means to another...

[AMJBASS]

I think you will indeed find them at bit too loose for digging in. Spirocore solos are worth checking out though. They are a bit darker sounding than Mittel and Weich, but have enough tension to dig in.

[Whit Townsend]

I'm lovin mine on a Roma ply. Used to be a Nils on a Kay player, but this bass demanded steels. The Superflex Solos are the best compromise steel string I've come across for the 2 styles I play, acoustic bluegrass and amplified rockabilly/hillbilly. Punchy & loud enough for an all acoustic BG jam, yet easy enough on the fingers for slap. Slap tone is good to my ears too.

[bribass]

Thnx for the opinions guys. Keep 'em coming.

Bri

[mje]

I've got them on my Azola solid EUB- they work well there. Easy on the fingers and good tone.

[rbolanos]

I got them on my EUB azola BB. and they are extremely easier to play at normal pitch. I did find a bit of volume loss compared to regular spiros. but nothing a good amp can't fix.
other than that I truly love the tone
good luck

[rake]

This seems like a good thread to get the advice I need, so here goes:

My Engelhardt ES-9 is in desperate need of new strings. It currently has Helicore Hybrid Mediums (bow: French Upton Workshop with chesnut hair and Jade Solo rosin).
I play a pretty even amount of arco and pizz.
After two weeks of reading just about every thread in this and other string bass forums, I think I've got a good idea of what I want: Superflexible G,D,A and a Spiro E.
My bass seems choked by the Helicores, so I wanted to try the lower tension of Solo gauges.

So how is it to bow a solo string tuned to orchestra pitch?


Thanks for any advice/criticism.

[TroyK]

i find it to be nice for bowing and fun for pizzicato, but ultimately it's hard not to overplay them pizz, if you're a thumper.

[Downright_Low]

I think it sounds like a good set... are you talking spiro solo E? Wow, that's something, try it and let us know, I say.

I play on that sort of setup, except they're Obligato solo G,D, and A, and Orch. obligato E.... I have played the Superflexible med gauge and loved them, and the Spirocore;, I think they would mix well with a spiro E - I thought the spiro E was very bowable, too. Mix that with a solo feel on top and you're making something unique... I play at least 50% arco so I can tell you that for me the solo gauge is very responsive, focused, and that looseness offers bass and a fatter mellower sound. I have been wanting to experiement with light strings and a heavy E and that setup is difinitely interesting sounding to me. I say go for it and see how it works. If it doesn't, I'd try it with a medium superflexible E... Come to think of it, the superflexibles have a warmth that's like the obligato, so anyway... Yea, I say go for it, I liked bowing the orch Superflexible for the time of four months that I had them on. And the pizzicato was just... I miss those now. Let us know what you think if you go that route in the end.