Versatile String?

[PIZZAcato]

I need a good string for unamped or piano-amped (no finger noise) DB playing, primarily for jazz, but also semi-suitable for classical. Okay, I know I basically just mentioned most types of DB playing style and asked for a wonder string to fit them all but here's the situation...
I go to a highschool where we really just need a STANDARD SET (this means you can suggest mixing and matching) of strings for all of our DBs. This is what my directors asked me to do. I don't know if I left something out but if I did please ask me to add the missing thing.

I searched to the best of my abilities... Thanks guys

[TroyK]

Pirastro Permanents or Flat Chromesteels

Neither are the best at everything, but they're good at most things and you won't have durability issues that you might get from mixed material strings.

[flatwoundfender]

superflexibles, last a long time, I play them at jazz gigs unamped and amped, and they work well for bowing. They're also pretty cheap, but last a long time.

[Francois Blais]

Corelli 370TX

[TroyK]

Yeah, I agree about the Superflexibles. I had forgotten about them. They will last longer than the Pirastros. Haven't tried Corellis, but Francois should know.

[PIZZAcato]

thx guys

[Bobby King]

I'll put another vote in for Superflexibles.

[PIZZAcato]

Do the Correli strings have a long life?

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by PIZZAcato

Do the Correli strings have a long life?

I've never used a set until it died so I don't know!
Maybe other members could help on this one?

[RD]

I'm no expert or connoisseur of strings and tone. I've only had an upright for about 8 months. So, take this perspective with as many grains of salt as you need.
I read about Corelli's here and on Bob G's site. Tried them and liked the Corelli TX's better than Helicore orch. mediums.
The Corelli's are still going strong some 3 months later, both pizz and arco. They have been taken off and put back on once, as well.
My teacher prefers the Helicores. I prefer the Corellis. They are easier for an old geezer to play.
Good luck,
RD

[JoeyNaeger]

You can probably get a year out of the correllis.

[vier-personen]

Noone mentioned Pirastro Obligatos yet? I think they work quite good for both picc and arco.

[DaveAceofBass]

I'm a fan of the Corelli 370F, which is heavier than the "mediums" (no F) and lighter than the TX. The Obligatos are good too, but they don't have the same zing the Corellis do. Obligatos feel hard to get a sound out of, unless you're used to gut-like strings. I love Spirocore Weichs for jazz, but they don't bow worth crap. The Corellis are thinner and lighter, easier to play, sound great with the bow. However, they can be a bit rattle-y, depending on your setup. The thinness of the G makes it a little odd to pluck until you get used to it, and the E doesn't ring/growl like the Spirocore. Nonetheless, so far, they're my favorite all around. But, I'm still experimenting (after 15 years).

[DaveAceofBass]

Originally Posted by flatwoundfender

superflexibles, last a long time, I play them at jazz gigs unamped and amped, and they work well for bowing. They're also pretty cheap, but last a long time.

These are good strings. Better than Spirocores for bowing. Not quite as thin as the Corellis. I use them on my EUB...

[mje]

Obligatos are wonderful, but I think too short lived for the questioner's purpose. Corellis bow wonderfully but I think the E tends to be weak in pizz, even in the TX. I have SUperflexibles on my EUB, and I like them.

[PIZZAcato]

yes long life is the main focus here, but the number one question is the string with the longest life and the best sound

[Francois Blais]

The Pirastro Permanents were already suggested and are a great alternative.

[TroyK]

Originally Posted by PIZZAcato

yes long life is the main focus here, but the number one question is the string with the longest life and the best sound

Between Permanents and Superflexibles, it's going to be bass and ear dependant with regards to which sounds better. They'll be similar in that they both handle arco and pizz applications admirably. The Perms will be less bright and from my experience will not last as long. They won't break or unravel, but the life will start to go out of them sonically somewhere between 6 months and a year if they get played a lot. Maybe more of an issue for Pizz. For a school bass, I'd tend toward Superflexibles. On my bass, I've been using mostly Permanents. If I bought a good workhorse Hybrid, I might try Superflexibles first. I know a guy who works a lot and has had a set on for something like 2 years. They're very good strings. The only way to develop a preference is to use a bunch of stuff. If you can avoid that, you're better off. I admire people who spend less time thinking about their strings than I do.

I would not recommend Obligatos or any other dual material string for a school bass with a budget. You're not going to get the lifespan out of them that you will with an all metal string.

My $ .02.

[DaveAceofBass]

Originally Posted by TroyK

Between Permanents and Superflexibles, it's going to be bass and ear dependant with regards to which sounds better. They'll be similar in that they both handle arco and pizz applications admirably. The Perms will be less bright and from my experience will not last as long. They won't break or unravel, but the life will start to go out of them sonically somewhere between 6 months and a year if they get played a lot. Maybe more of an issue for Pizz. For a school bass, I'd tend toward Superflexibles. On my bass, I've been using mostly Permanents. If I bought a good workhorse Hybrid, I might try Superflexibles first. I know a guy who works a lot and has had a set on for something like 2 years. They're very good strings. The only way to develop a preference is to use a bunch of stuff. If you can avoid that, you're better off. I admire people who spend less time thinking about their strings than I do.

I would not recommend Obligatos or any other dual material string for a school bass with a budget. You're not going to get the lifespan out of them that you will with an all metal string.

My $ .02.

I'd trust the Thomastiks (Superflexible). They're cheaper than Spirocores and better for arco. They'll probably last longer than Corellis, although I think I prefer the Corellis.

[damonsmith]

I'd reccomend Thomastik spirocores. They can respond as good as any string with the bow as long as you practice.