What DB strings do the TBDBers use?!? (2009)

[ADissen]

Spirocore Orchestras Used for 95% Classical.
Spirocore solos for solo work...

[mjt0229]

Flexocor 92s on my Kai Arvi. I had a set of them on my first bass, a Kay, when I was in high school. I had Original Flexocors on the Arvi when I got it. I can't tell now if I like the 92s better because I'm better now or because the strings are better.

[King Chris]

Rocking the Flexo Originals on top three with Sprio Mittel E. Though I'm only doing this becuase I cut about 3/4 time in Orchestra and 1/4 time in Jazz. Interested in Velvet's and EP's but not gonna go there. Played belcanto's forever(came on bass) and loved them but they weren't cutting it for jazz, not that the Flexo's are doing that much better. have some unlabled guts for the top two, though I'm too busy to really give them a go.

[Johnny L]

I go back and forth between the corelli, thomastik, and pirastro strings I've bought and kept as the muse compels me. Whatever damage I've done by swapping those strings on my bass I haven't noticed, with the exception of the dominants...only have the G string still living.

[thejumpcat]

Replaced the Helicore Hybrids on my Shen with Velvet Animas. Really opened up the sound. These are very fun strings to play...although they took longer than most to break in (and they're still requiring a bit of tuning up everytime). I'm diggin' them now though. Wish I was better. I probably don't deserve 'em.

Prior, Spriocore Weichs, Labella blacktapes, Obligatos -- all on an old Kay Swingmaster. All different sounding and feeling. Probably dug the Obligatos most for what I play (jump blues).

[Downright_Low]

Obligato Solo for G, D, and A, with a standard orch. tuning E... everything at orch tuning. Going strong since late March 2009.

Actually, the solo F# tuned to E wasn't really that small (but I'm going through a thing with wanting more from the E). With the right action the blend can be as desired... I've been impressed by Obligato sound...

This is for my weak ass L.H., coming from Corelli 370M. Actually with higher action this sounds nice, somewhat like Flex. '92. I play probably 70-80% "classical", arco. Hybrid by S. Eastman. If you know how to use the Corellis 370M in an orchestral sort of way then these will sound rather warm.

The Original Flexocore, Flex. '92, and Thomastik Superflexible are also good, and if I remember so are the D'Addario Helicores. The Obligato are my favorite so far... will try hopefully more... in time.

[MIKMAN]

In my German PAULUS EP Weich, following DRURB's advise. Perfect piz tone and the excellent arco sound comes as a gift.
In my Chinese TIANGE Spiros mittel E,A,D with a Corelli 370F G. The Spiro G (either mittel or Weich) sounds a bit choked. Unbelievable sustain.
In my Guardelli Belcantos, as it is used strictly for arco work.

[abaguer]

On Juzek Flexocore 92 ADG with Spiro E. Kay Garbo E, D, Anima A, Goldentone G.

[PB+J]

Velvet Blues

[olivieraleman]

Lenzner guts, wound E and A

[jbr]

Velvet Animas for me. I just installed them and absolutely LOVE the sound. I especially like the lower tension.

Previously I used Obligatos and Dominants.

[Dr. Jake]

Spiro weich E, A, D
Obligato G

[Don Higdon]

I've played for 55 years, tried alot of strings.
For pizz, I've used Obligatos for a few years, then Animas for another two. I hated the separation and rolling of the Obligato. I loved the Anima, but the G went dead and the set is now very costly. But when all is said and done:

Originally Posted by Treyzer

Spiros have always been the go to string for me...always seem to keep coming back to Spiros.

When I'm going out the door to a gig, Spiro reds. Always. On any bass.

For arco, on the walnut bass, Bel Cantos, including a low C for the extension.

My Jacquet is a piece of work. Just for laughs, I put on an old set of Olivs.(So old, they don't stretch anymore) The gut and wood make that unmistakable French woody, nasal sound. Then I played it pizz and I swear, it sounded so much like PC, I almost had a laundry accident.
Recently, I dug out my old Original Flexocors

Originally Posted by CPike

Original Flexocor. Tried the latest crazes over the years ...and always came back to orig flex...

I know the feeling. I like the old school sound, and on the Jacquet, I get it.

However, Olivs and O/Fs are temporary dalliances.
On both the walnut and the Jacquet, when I'm headed out to do a concert, Bel Cantos. Great sound, easiest to play. Best arco experience for me, hands down.

[61pollmann]

I've had Velvet Blues on my Pollmann since January. I really love these strings, and they still sound great after nine months. Just did a recording session for a vibes player, using my vintage ribbon mic. The sound was warmer than you might think. One of the advantages of these strings seems to be a bright, clear sound in my ear as I play, but the sound out in front is very rich. The low tension is also very helpful for my aging hands. I've brought the bridge up quite a bit, but they are still easy to play.

George

[Brad Maestas]

Those Blue Steels wouldn't even reach my pegbox! They must be faulty. I'm sending them back.

I've been using Animas for several years now. I'm on my fourth set, the second with the long E. The last set lasted for a very long time but unfortunately the D string broke while in its case, of course just before I needed it for a recording. I overnighted a set from Quinn Violins and made the recording with still-stretching (though still-great-sounding) strings.

I have been getting serious about arco again and while the Animas are easier to bow than the Spirocores I grew up with, they still leave a lot to be desired. The bulk of my complaints are their scratchiness and the instability of the beginnings of some notes. I've been cajoling them in earnest for several months now and they're not getting any easier to play. I will say though that they have whipped my technique back into shape rather quickly. I am very interested to try out some arco-specific strings in the near future to see just how easier it will be to bow on them vs. the Animas.

The eternal conundrum of the ideal string for arco and pizz is one that eludes us and even with the relatively advanced technology and know-how of today we are still no closer to a truly ambidextrous string. Revisiting some string tech sites I came across the realization that the internal construction for each is very different and that executing a string that exploits the best of both worlds is undoubtedly difficult. I've tried the D'Add Hybrids but felt that they were not so great at either one. I've heard a lot about the Pirastro products and plan on trying them next. I eventually want to try some Obligatos, Olivs, Bel Cantos and the Evah Pirazzis I keep hearing so much about.

[MKoby]

Correlli medium

[Peder Waern]

Recently put on a set of Velvet Animas, before that I used Oliv G, and Evah pirazzi D A E. I must say I'm very pleased with the animas! Although my previous setup was perhaps slightly louder, Animas is getting me closer to the sound I want. They're not that bad for bowing either. And somewhat surprisingly they amplify better than any string I've tried before! Just hoping they won't break.....

[hdiddy]

FWIW, I'm switching to Helicore Hybrids. Spiro's pretty damn bright still after a month and the E Stark still felt funny. Hybrids are giving much more even sound and mellowness, even after just 1 day. Like the BP-100, hybrids may not work on most basses but I'm liking it my Cleve.

[Francois Blais]

2010 thread continued here!:
What DB strings do the TBDBers use?!? (2010)