Weich vs Orchestra spiros ?

[anonymous8547j7d7b]

I haven't played spiros for years, but a recent setup change on a new bass - ie finally set the thing up properly by getting the bridge curvature "jazzed" & the action lowered (from 11mm @ the 'g' to 5mm) - has had me starting the "string quest" all over again. What are your guys opinions on the difference in tension/feel and sound between the 2 sets?? The obligatos which were great with the action 'way up are just too thin now. The LaBella 7710 are ok, but not clear enough in all registers and are a touch stiff for my taste. Garbos were lovely, if a bit limiting, and would probably have to wait on an amplifier upgrade to really perform in all situations.

[ninnlangel]

Personally, I find that the Weich have a nicer tone and feel on most basses. They seem to have a more "open" sound than the orchestral, maybe less mid-range growl (which I hate on URB). I've been using them exclusively for the last 3 years, after realizing the Obligatos don't cut it with lower action.

[jmceachern36]

I just made the switch from Orchs to weichs 3 weeks ago and I couldn't be happier with them. It feels like a weight has been lifted off my sholders as far as playing goes. I play much more relaxed now. Feels like I'm hitting the notes better. That could be just in my head but either way it's given me more confidence. I didn't notice any significant decrease in volume. I find the tone to be similar but better because it's less boomy. Just my 2cents. Best of luck with the search.

[hotdbass]

I have tried just about every string there is and found the spiro's to be fine if you just play pizz only,however,the Orchs mediums are the best for arco and pizz. Anyone bowing the Spiros's?

[ninnlangel]

I do quite a bit of bowing... and it's clearly painful with the spiros, compared to other strings. But that's mostly for practicing, so it's not too dramatic.

[rdwhit]

Originally Posted by ninnlangel

I do quite a bit of bowing... and it's clearly painful with the spiros, compared to other strings. But that's mostly for practicing, so it's not too dramatic.

Bowing any gage spiros is scratchy and painful. I've always come back to weichs after trying many others,but still hate the scratchy bow sound.I bow amplified often for broadway shows and practice & for pieces to teach students.I'm on a big flat chromesteel kick now.They have plenty of sustain for jazz and bow much smoother both w/ & without an amp.The tension is similar to weich. Ever try 'em?

[Justin K-ski]

The Spiro solos are a great bowing string...

[Jake]

I have heard that the Weich's are better for bowing than the orchestrals or the starks. I have been thinking about trying them as a hybrid string. Does anyone recommend that or strongly advise against it?

[rprowse]

I've used Weichs for years and now have solo doms. The solo doms are great, but the Weichs did a good arco job too, once they had settled down. Initially they were scratchy, especially the D.. which really stood out. I tried some basses in a music shop not long ago that were fitted out with orchs. They were scratchy too.
I think Weichs are a fantastic all round string... I just felt like a little adventure and am enjoying the doms, but would be happy if I had to go back to Weichs. The doms definitely have a slight edge for bowing though (I'm in solo tuning now)... but I'm being pretty fussy.
Richard

[toman]

I bow weichs all the time, even in the orchestra, no problems. I don't know what the big fuss is about bowing spiros is; as far as I know, the string was originally intended as an orchestra string. The starks are great fun, as long as you have the chops to keep up with them. If you can hang with the starks, you'll be amazed at the sound you can crank out of your bass.

[jazzbass72]

Originally Posted by toman

The starks are great fun, as long as you have the chops to keep up with them. If you can hang with the starks, you'll be amazed at the sound you can crank out of your bass.

True... my bass has never sounded as loud as when I tried a set of Spirocore Starks on it. But their tension was not appropriate for that one bass, neither for my hands.

I've never had a problem with bowing Weichs either.

-Marco

[ninnlangel]

Never had trouble bowing the weichs, I just think they don't sound as good, play as easily as some other strings when bowed. Love them for pizz though

[musicman5string]

Originally Posted by toman

I bow weichs all the time, even in the orchestra, no problems. I don't know what the big fuss is about bowing spiros is; as far as I know, the string was originally intended as an orchestra string.

+1.

You want problems bowing? Try gut strings for a year or two; you'll be crying for your mommy.
When I switched from gut to Spiros it was like a water cooler in the desert.

Anyway, I like both Orchestra and Weichs, but there's more tension on the Orchs, so it depends on what your bass likes tension-wise. Personally, I think we're splitting hairs here. Both are good and sound mostly similar imo.

[LouisF]

I just happened to stop in on Gary Chen Stein today (Stein on Vine in LA) as he was unpacking a box of several Spirochore sets. The Weichs were on top. I asked him why everybody griped about them as bowing strings and he shrugegd. He's been using them since he started playing (both arco and jazz) and said that Dennis Trembly, L A Phil principal, uses them.

I think I heard somewhere that the former (Russian) conductor of the Baltimore symphony had the whole section shift to Spirocores. I've never tried them myself but will probably put a set of Weichs on the 5/8ths Tyrolean we're restoring just for the heck of it.

Louis

[Ashley Long]

I currently have a strange set up on my main bass: spiro med's on G and D and Corelli on the A and E. I primarily play solo, contemporary classical music and free improvisation and I have no trouble bowing these at all, quite the opposite in fact. Ive used the bass for orchestral and chamber work with this set-up and I have had no problems. The tone is bright and clear without ever being twangy and match suprisingly well with the corelli's although the pizz E can sometimes be a little weak but the tone of this bass is very dark anyway.

Mainly, I think, its just a question of adjusting to the strings but also, Ive found, that the choice of rosin can make a big difference. I used to be a dyed in the wool Nyman's fan and found that would give too much grip causing the strings to scratch, especially when in the very high registers. However, I now use Jade Solo rosin which is very clean and no matter how much you seem to put on, never seems to strangle the initial vibrations and gives an very warm and clear sound even in very fast passages.

[j.s.basuki]

I just bought a new Bjoern Stoll Dresden model. It was strung with Pirastro Oliv originally , then I change with Spirocore Weich and the tone is sooo good.
The Spirocore weich box shows Ochestra, so it is ochestra string with soft tension. It bows verywell too!
Oliv is for sale

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by Ashley Long

I currently have a strange set up on my main bass: spiro med's on G and D and Corelli on the A and E. I primarily play solo, contemporary classical music and free improvisation and I have no trouble bowing these at all, quite the opposite in fact. Ive used the bass for orchestral and chamber work with this set-up and I have had no problems. The tone is bright and clear without ever being twangy and match suprisingly well with the corelli's although the pizz E can sometimes be a little weak but the tone of this bass is very dark anyway.

You might want to do a reversal and try Spiros on the bottom and Corellis on top. I've used this combination with good results. You can't go wrong with a Spiro E string for volume. I also found the Corelli E string to be weak. The Corellis seem to be more bow friendly with a sweeter sound.