warm, dark and deep tone (arco) ?

chipsas · #1 09-05-2005, 05:13 AM

i have old german double bass.. and play mostly arco (classical).
have tried corelli, thomastik superflexible, helicore, jargar (dolce), pirastro Eudoxa strings...
jargar dolce sounds good , but too thin though.. for solo is ok, but not for orchestra.. i was wondering if jargar medium choice would be ok.. or they are very thin (especially G and D) like dolce too...?
i have eudoxa's at the moment.. but they are i'd say more for pizz.. even they are gut strings, they are not so dark..
hmm, what should i choose.. i need tension and volume , but together.. warm , dark tone , and easy bowable..
maybe i should try innovation 140b... i don't really know.. ?
any suggestions?

KSB - Ken Smith · #2 09-05-2005, 07:34 AM

I have made a few threads on this subject and tested most of the Steel Pirastro line. It also depends on your Bass as not all Es or Gs work on evey Bass for tension and tone Matching. The Darkest Strings I have found are Flexocor reg or Stark, Violet threads, Flexocor Original, but change the G maybe to reg or reg stark for gauge match and most recently put a set of Jargar Forte reds (heavy gauge) and they ARE the darkest strings especially the G and D and bow so smooth. They have about 10% LESS output/volume than Stark Flexs.

Heres are some other threads to read; Jargar vs. Flexocor (or other Pirastros) HI's and Low's
Pirastro Product Changes
the best orchestra strings
Pirastro Test Completed (for me!)
Jagars Good Baroque String?
First Impression Of Flexocors
Jargar?
Recommend some strings for a 5-Stringer?!
Flexocor vs. Original Flexocor

chipsas · #3 09-05-2005, 09:36 AM

thanx very much..
but reading all of this i still didn't find any comments how vary jargar dolce and medium..? are they similar in tension or much more thicker and harder..?
i need also fat sound, for egz.. jargar dolce have dark sound.., but not fat at all.. compared with pirastro eudoxa..for egz.. but i didn't try jargar medium though.. so..
i have in mind jargar medium, flexocor, or innovation 140B at the moment...
and i still can't decide, which should i choose..

KSB - Ken Smith · #4 09-05-2005, 10:45 AM

Francois and I discuss this back and forth. If you Bass is strong enough to handle it, use the Forte Jagar Reds. The Blues probably sound a little thinner but each Bass Top has it's own limits if any.

here; Jargar vs. Flexocor (or other Pirastros) HI's and Low's

chipsas · #5 09-05-2005, 11:27 AM

hmm, and he mentioned that, Blues (jargar medium) would be easier to bow... im just afraid a little bit, that mediums could be very close to dolce... , but maybe i am wrong..

maybe reds would be better choice for pizz (jazz)..?
i play pizz just about 10%.., mostly arco..- classical (symphony, chamber music)

do you know any about innovation 140B..?

KSB - Ken Smith · #6 09-05-2005, 09:12 PM

I don't know the 140s...

I have the Jaegar Reds on this Bass now; http://www.kensmithbasses.com/Double...d/DoddBass.htm

It is pictured with old Stark Flexes but I changed them a few weeks ago. This Bass has tons of repairs and the Strings seem to have less tension than the old Starks. I think they feel a bit like Obligatos but Bow at least as good as Flexicors. They Pizz good too and sound and feel a bit like old gut but with a clean deep tone.

If your Bass top is healthy, try the Reds.. I think they are good. One other choice is Flexocor Starks. I just put a set on my Gilkes today and they are different than the OLD ones I had on the Dodd. They are just a bit heavier than reg Flexes and sound good if u like a better balanced darker sounding Reg Flex.