What is the best string for bowing?

[Zach Edmands]

I'm not interested in pizz at all so I need to know what is the best bowing string that plays well and has stability in sound. I don't want anything that's going to sound nice one day, and bad the other.

Thanks.

[Francois Blais]

The "best" string is a very subjective matter.
What's good for you may be bad for someone else.
There are several choices in orchestral strings.
Some sound warm, others bright.
One of the most popular is the Pirastro Original Flexocor.
Kolstein Varicor Excel is a also a good choice.
Jargar too.
For a brighter tone, there's the Pirastro Permanent.

There are also several other choices, among steel, gut and synthetic core strings.

Get a look at the Newbie links at the top of the forum.

[Johnny L]

I currently use a combination of Pirastro original flexocore, Pirastro original flatchrome, and D'Addario Helicore heavy orchestra strings...all based solely on whatever string thread color combination I find most attractive. I've seen my teacher use Corelli and Supersensitive Pinnacle (those colors are cool too) and make his bass sound quite good. He makes mine sound good no matter what strings I have installed.

Watch out, though, as all these strings may get accidently plucked and infect you with pizzitis. Then you'll want to try your hand bowing pizz strings...

[Francois Blais]

Originally posted by Johnny L
I've seen my teacher use Corelli and Supersensitive

The Corellis are the string of choice of François Rabbath.
I have Pinnacle D and G strings in my string box.
They're excellent, but sound too clear for me. (I'm a pizz player only)

[Zach Edmands]

Since I've heard such good things about Pirastro strings (namely Obligato), I'm thinking about getting the flexocores. Is there anything about these strings I should know before I buy? Or would the Obligatos be a better choice?

[Francois Blais]

Originally posted by Zach Edmands
Since I've heard such good things about Pirastro strings (namely Obligato), I'm thinking about getting the flexocores. Is there anything about these strings I should know before I buy? Or would the Obligatos be a better choice?

Flexocors are available in two kinds:

(regular) Flexocor, or so-called Flexocor '92 because they were introduced in 1992.
The Flexocors that were made prior that date are still produced but are called Original Flexocors.
The two are quite different.

I see them that way:

Flexocors G & D are stiff under the left hand and very warm sounding.
Flexocors A and E are floppier, particularly the E, which many players find dead.

Original Flexs G & D are brighter, more lively.
Original Flexs A & E are thick and dark-sounding, with a big tone (arco).

Both are steel rope-core, so they're very stable and long-lasting.
The Obligatos use a synthetic core so they're relatively short-lived. (between 6 months and a year)
Many players don't like the "rolling" feeling the bottom strings give.

[plug mode on]I'd highly recommend the Jargar strings for an arco player, although I'm a big Pirastro fan...
[plug mode off]

[Zach Edmands]

Why would the Jargar be better?

[Francois Blais]

Originally posted by Zach Edmands
Why would the Jargar be better?

The set has a better balance.
With Pirastro strings, I found that you often need to mix and match strings among different sets/models to get a well-balanced set.
The Jargar tone is very warm and sweet. Probably the most gut-like steel string around.
High quality string from a very small company.
Also available in three gauges:
Dolce (green silk ends)
Medium (blue silk ends)
Forte (red silk ends)
The medium D and G are my strings of choice even if I'm a pizz player only.
Very warm tone, yet more lively than Flexocor '92s.

[Zach Edmands]

Alright, I'll take your word for it and try out a set of Jargars. Thanks for the input.

//One last question, which gauge would be the best for classical music? I see that most people use the forte and medium for pizz only.

[Francois Blais]

I'd go with mediums.
Let us know how you like them!

Regards,
François

[Alex Scott]

what kind of bowing Zach?