Double Bass Belcanto vs Passione

[Eric Swanson]

Just to add one more factor to the mix (don't hate me): these three strings are so close (Perms, Bels and Passione - and I would also add Jargars) as being great orchestra strings etc, that one thing I found as a factor/variant was the endpin I used with them.

On both the Upton and Argentine bass, a steel endpin was a better fit for the Bel Cantos. A carbon fiber shaft noticeably weakened the volume.

The Jargars and the Passione's did better with the carbon fiber than steel rod, but best with the Atomic wood/aluminum pin.

There may be some relationship between the composition of the string and that of the pin or it may just be my imagination... But I did want to throw that in. Generally, the Atomic (also KC Strings wood/cf pin, too) seems to make the strings feel as if they have less tension.

Louis

Great point. I have just been A/B'ing some arco strings and other issues aside, the endpin material/mass/stiffness has a pretty amazing effect on the sound and response. I swapped between stainless steel, regular carbon steel, and steel tube/carbon fiber/epoxy rod I made, and titanium. All 1/2" rods.

With different strings, I left the same strings on and tried all four pins. Totally different sound on all strings, different bow response, and differing low-end volume and "bloom."

Lots of variables...

For me, right now, best I have found is Belcanti with titanium pin; clear and singing up high, organ-like in the lower register.

So, not only does string performance/experience vary widely from bass to bass, but also from endpin to endpin...

 

[foilracer]

your hands, your ears, your bass, your decision. I've been very
happy with Passione stark for over a year now (the same set G D A) for arco orchestra/arco solo AND for my jazz pizz (my jazz pizz sound). I have the back up set G D A (Passione stark)...but have not felt the need to install them yet. AND I have a Kaplan medium set I want to compare to the Passione stark but haven't felt the need. Good luck with your decision...it's a good thing when you like your strings and can't stop playing!

 

[Don Sibley]

why don't we make like jazz players and all put on spirocores and forget about it, eh?

Probably because that is patently untrue. I have Bel Cantos on my Pollmann and love them for both jazz and classical. I know lots of guys that use Evah's.

 

[eerbrev]

Probably because that is patently untrue. I have Bel Cantos on my Pollmann and love them for both jazz and classical. I know lots of guys that use Evah's.

i understand that this is obviously not the case. It was an attempt at humour through generalization.

 

[Don Sibley]

That probably came off a little more critical than it needed to. I do love my Bel Cantos though.

Anyone know if they have a similar life span to other Thomastik Infeld strings?

 

[foilracer]

You get to be the expert here (re: how long a string lasts). Again, your "situation" and what works for you. Yesterday I installed "solo" strings because I wanted to tune a whole step higher. It is the solo set I used ten years ago and I'm glad I saved them! Now I can do the work to sound better on solo strings, as many elements of solo tuning are different from Passione stark EADg tuning. Also, other than a stark spirocore...does anyone have a favorite IV E string that works well tuned down to low D? thanks!