What strings to mix with BC?

Bassalova · #1 11-21-2010, 03:59 AM

I have been reading some posts about Spiro mittels an weichs. I want to make a mix set of Bel Canto G and D, with Spirocore A and E. It´s come down t either the weichs or perhaps the solos. Which of these are the best match tensionwise, and also soundwise? BC´s are quite dark, so I´m thinking maybe Solos are best. But the weichs have more punch I guess.

Don Higdon · #2 11-21-2010, 03:43 PM

I use BC's with my BC's. Why not?

JtheJazzMan · #3 11-21-2010, 05:52 PM

A dead set of weichs will match BC's far more than solos will IME.

eerbrev · #4 11-21-2010, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JtheJazzMan

A dead set of weichs will match BC's far more than solos will IME.

and would probably match tension a lot better.

Eddue · #5 11-21-2010, 10:20 PM

Anyone ever try Superflexibles with Belcantos? Seems like a good match.

William Hoffman · #6 11-25-2010, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassalova

I have been reading some posts about Spiro mittels an weichs. I want to make a mix set of Bel Canto G and D, with Spirocore A and E. It´s come down t either the weichs or perhaps the solos. Which of these are the best match tensionwise, and also soundwise? BC´s are quite dark, so I´m thinking maybe Solos are best. But the weichs have more punch I guess.

i've mixed BCs with Spiros (Weich, Mittel, Stark -- never tried Solos) often. it's a great mix for arco and pizz. Spiros are brighter and punchier for pizz (and they bow very well), and the BCs are have a sweet pizz sound and are certainly one of the better strings for arco. after the Spiros settle in and lose some of their brightness, it's a good match. some say the BCs aren't for pizz, but others disagree there: tension-wise BCs are very similar to Weichs, and the sustain while perhaps a bit less than Spiros is not audibly so if the bass' set up is good.

favorite mix: G = BC, D & A = Spiro Mittel, E = Spiro Stark. love this mix. the bass in question needs the tension to get it singing. i tried this mix with the BC D-string as well, but the high-tension Stark E made for imbalance and both the BCs D and G lost their volume. with the Spiro Mittel D back on, the whole bass is in balance again and just rings out and has a sustain that won't quit. That Spiro Mittel D is just one of the best D strings around, and it sounds great next to the Belcanto G.

another favorite: G & D = BC, A = Spiro Weich, E = Spiro Mittel. actually, i started out with Spiro Weich A & E, and then tried this because the Weich E lacked punch and volume on my bass.

if you try mixing Spiros and Belcantos, my recommendation would be start out with Weich A & E. you can then adjust incrementally from there.

Mike Carr · #7 11-25-2010, 07:11 AM

For Don Higdon,

I've been playing on a two year old set of Spirocore Mittles, they are quite broken in by now. Do you think I might enjoy playing pizz/jazz gigs with a full set of BC? My Spiros are pretty dead, so you think I'd miss what Spiro "twang/sustain thing" that might be left in my current set? I've got an almost brand new set of BC's sitting unused but I've been a bit scared of using them on a jazz gig. I play a carved bass with Realist and do a little jazz arco on certain solos.

Don Higdon · #8 11-25-2010, 08:41 AM

If you have them on hand, put 'em on and try them. You have nothing to lose.
Tastes are different. Many people like BC's played pizz. I don't, despite having two highly resonant basses. The choice is yours, no matter what I or anyone else thinks.

Mike Carr · #9 11-25-2010, 11:23 AM

Thanks Don! Got a five set trio gig in a hotel Friday, so I guess I'll get to know them quite well. Will either be a breeze or a real long night!

Eric Hochberg · #10 11-25-2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Carr

For Don Higdon,

I've been playing on a two year old set of Spirocore Mittles, they are quite broken in by now. Do you think I might enjoy playing pizz/jazz gigs with a full set of BC?

I haven't heard a BC E string that made it for jazz playing (weak and dull), so I'd be reluctant to take it on a long gig to try out... The BCs are going to be pretty dark in general.

Mike Carr · #11 11-25-2010, 12:22 PM

Thx for the "headsup" Eric! Maybe I hold off until another time.

**Francois Blais** · #12 11-25-2010, 01:13 PM

I like the top strings, but the A & E can be very slow, so if you want a string with a quick response, I don't think you'll like them. (at least the A&E)

Don Higdon · #13 11-25-2010, 03:59 PM

IMHO, for clarity, a bass demands a Spirocor E.

William Hoffman · #14 11-26-2010, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

IMHO, for clarity, a bass demands a Spirocor E.

that might be a great mix: Spiro E and the rest BCs.

for me, the real gem in the BC set is the G string...

Bassalova · #15 11-27-2010, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

I use BC's with my BC's. Why not?

Trough the piezo and amp, its kind of ok. Acousticly: where did the A and E go? Playing with a trio or something makes the A and E disappear.

Don Higdon · #16 11-27-2010, 11:59 AM

I was just making a point. Not stated by the OP, the assumption is that the BC's are for pizz. I use BG for arco only, Spiros for pizz only. The way I use them, I wouldn't swap out any of the BC's. That's all.

Bassalova · #17 11-27-2010, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

I was just making a point. Not stated by the OP, the assumption is that the BC's are for pizz. I use BG for arco only, Spiros for pizz only. The way I use them, I wouldn't swap out any of the BC's. That's all.

I´ve been using them too for arco playing in an orchestra, and I still think it would be better with a mix. Specially the E is kind of dull. Sounds beautiful, but dull. If you´re playing more agressive and rapid stuff like Mozart etc, then I think Spiro E and A will give more bass "in your face", than the warm and beautiful BC E and A.

Don Higdon · #18 11-27-2010, 06:29 PM

Let's just call it an irreconcilable difference.

koricancowboy · #19 11-27-2010, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassalova

I´ve been using them too for arco playing in an orchestra, and I still think it would be better with a mix. Specially the E is kind of dull. Sounds beautiful, but dull. If you´re playing more aggressive and rapid stuff like Mozart etc, then I think Spiro E and A will give more bass "in your face", than the warm and beautiful BC E and A.

Interesting. I never thought of Mozart as aggressive but hey what do I know. I have to agree with Don on this as he uses exactly my string choices. I think playing Mozart warmly and beautifully may get you you more jobs than aggressively. Remember all of this rep was written with gut strings in mind and in the case of most Mozart licks to fatten up the bottom end of the cello section not take it over IMHO. I think it would be good to bring warmth and beauty back.

I'm curious why do you need more aggression in your sound? I find that BC's blend with my section mates better than just about any string I've tried. I can hear myself but lose myself in the sound of the section which is to me the desired effect.

To be fair though, you asked which ones you would mix. I think if anything I would mix the new Passiones. I got a chance to play and hear them and they are great strings. They seemed to be of the same ilk as BC's but a bit clearer and defined. I wouldn't mix or switch but if forced to this is what I would mix with.

William Hoffman · #20 11-28-2010, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

Let's just call it an irreconcilable difference.

hear, hear, Don. you and the Cowboy have got it right, i think, about the BCs: they aren't the string, especially the E and A, for "cutting through" the jazz mix. that is my experience as well.

of course many prefer to play full sets of whatever string they use. no mixing. there's a lot to be said for that, especially if the full set out of the package has the tension balance and volume you like.

it's a matter of taste.