Double Bass Considering Orchestra String Choices-again!

[BHBassist]

Greetings. Questioning if there may be a better Hybrid String choice and looking for powerful & dark sounding Bass Strings other than EP Mediums for my Full Size Bass(45 3/4” String Length) with a C-Ext. I regularly play in Jazz Combos, Big Bands,Symphony & Musical Pit Orchestras, etc.
I’m used to the long string length which keeps the strings tighter.
My Bass is brighter sounding than I’d like but does sound good acoustically and amplified with the EPs.
Over the years I’ve tried Spirocore, Heliocore, Kaplan Heavy Gauge, Eudoxa, Olives, EP Weichs and have had EP Mediums on the Bass for several years-usually change them after a couple of years-these were changed this spring.
Lately, after standing next to Bassists in Orchestra Bass Sections with Basses having Flexocore (Original, 92s, Deluxe), Spirocore Weichs, Belcancos & Perpetuals, I’m especially concerned that I may be working harder to bow (German Bow) fast passages (spiccato) and string crossings with the EPs and there may be a better choice of a string with a darker sounding Steel/ Rope Core vs. Perlon Core String that would last longer that a year or two.
Obviously, this is a co$tly obsession, but I’m hoping there’s a better choice and would appreciate any feedback.

 

[Scott Lynch]

If you like the EPs but are looking for a steel core string, my recommendation would be to try the Flex Deluxes.

 

[BHBassist]

Hi Scott. Thanks. FlexDeluxe has actually been a contender, especially after standing next to a Bassist in an Orchestra that used them for years and thinks they’re a good Hybrid after seeing me with EPs.
He tried EP Mediums coming from FD but took the EPs off ( hated them!) after a short time & switch back to FD.
I almost changed to FD from EPs this spring but wasn’t sure after reading that they may be brighter than EPs.
Stayed with a new set of EP Mediums-safe choice, but am questioning and considering a string change-after playing several Orchestra concerts this year, seeing I’m usually the only Bassist in a section with EPs,(usually the only one that can play Jazz, Pop, Pits, shows ) daily practice with a variety of symphonies with YouTube Orchestras, etc., reading, watching videos…
Do you think FD would be as dark/similar and powerful as EPs-Pizz & Arco?
I’ve read about them, tried the other Bassist’s Bass old/dark with them.
Thanks again.

 

[AGCurry]

Dark and powerful and great to bow, on a bass that sounds brighter than you'd like? Pirastro Original Flat Chrome.

 

[BHBassist]

Dark and powerful and great to bow, on a bass that sounds brighter than you'd like? Pirastro Original Flat Chrome.

Hello AG -Never tried them, but recall a former student using them years ago for playing in his Jazz Quartet.
He liked the strong fundamental pizz without too much sustain.
I’ll check them out.
Thank you.

 

[Mark_T]

I don't think FDs and EPs are in the same sound world. They're both great bowing strings but I don't think of FDs as dark, at least not on my basses.

A friend of mine was trying the new Peter Infeld prototypes and described them as being similar to EPs, but the PIs have a steel core. I tried his bass and liked them, but there are a lot of X factors - I only got like 30 seconds with it, it was an unfamiliar and new bass, and his strings were prototypes so not necessarily what Thomastik released.

 

[BHBassist]

I don't think FDs and EPs are in the same sound world. They're both great bowing strings but I don't think of FDs as dark, at least not on my basses.

A friend of mine was trying the new Peter Infeld prototypes and described them as being similar to EPs, but the PIs have a steel core. I tried his bass and liked them, but there are a lot of X factors - I only got like 30 seconds with it, it was an unfamiliar and new bass, and his strings were prototypes so not necessarily what Thomastik released.

Hello Mark. Yes-aware of the new PI Strings & saw one promo video.
My EPs do sound warm & blend with a section, but as mentioned-after listening to other Bassists in sections & on videos seem to be a bit sluggish for me when bowing fast passages-and wonder if a string more suitable to orchestral playing will respond/ Bow easier than the EPs and provide a strong and dark tone.
I do plan to go to a Bass Shop and try Basses with different strings soon.
Do you know if the FDs will darken up in tone after a time?
Thanks again!

 

[AndersLasson]

Belcantos are darker and very bowable. The question is about pizz for your other gigs.

Checkout
- orchestra bowing aspects:
- jazz pizz:
- bowing different strings (links to different videos in the comments):

 

[BHBassist]

Hello Anders-Thank you!
I’ll watch these again-actually seen all the these-they’ve been a part of my research down the string rabbit hole.
Just put my Bass down after playing Bach’s Orch. Suite No. 2 and some Mozart & Beethoven with YouTube Orchestras. I vary composers, pieces & videos in my practice routine.
I know the music and am working hard.
Just wondering if changing strings will
help…

 

[Mark_T]

Hello Mark. Yes-aware of the new PI Strings & saw one promo video.
My EPs do sound warm & blend with a section, but as mentioned-after listening to other Bassists in sections & on videos seem to be a bit sluggish for me when bowing fast passages-and wonder if a string more suitable to orchestral playing will respond/ Bow easier than the EPs and provide a strong and dark tone.
I do plan to go to a Bass Shop and try Basses with different strings soon.
Do you know if the FDs will darken up in tone after a time?
Thanks again!

In my experience all strings darken with time, but it's a question of where they start, and how dark they get, and how long it takes, and what goes with it. FDs do darken, but they'll never be what I'd call a "dark" string.

I have a full EP medium set on my orchestra bass right now. I am not over the moon for them but they're the best match to the bass I've found. Previously that bass had been wearing Bel Cantos which are also nice. I find the BC sound to be a bit "grunty" and the lower strings are a touch weak. The EPs have more power and a bit more sustain. The E and A of the EPs is particularly nice in my opinion. I'm less sold on the D and G.

On my old bass, I was using a full FD set and they were spectacular.

 

[Francois Blais]

Pirastro Passiones are another alternative, and available in medium an stark gauges.
They’re dark and smooth.

 

[AGCurry]

Pirastro Passiones are another alternative, and available in medium an stark gauges.
They’re dark and smooth.

Yes. The Passione stark G is the best G string I've found for my orchestra bass.

 

[BHBassist]

In my experience all strings darken with time, but it's a question of where they start, and how dark they get, and how long it takes, and what goes with it. FDs do darken, but they'll never be what I'd call a "dark" string.

I have a full EP medium set on my orchestra bass right now. I am not over the moon for them but they're the best match to the bass I've found. Previously that bass had been wearing Bel Cantos which are also nice. I find the BC sound to be a bit "grunty" and the lower strings are a touch weak. The EPs have more power and a bit more sustain. The E and A of the EPs is particularly nice in my opinion. I'm less sold on the D and G.

On my old bass, I was using a full FD set and they were spectacular.

Thanks Mark.Appreciate hearing that.
I have EP Mediums on 2 Basses, EP Weichs on a 1940 Kay & Flex Originals on a Carruthers EUB-all good sounding.
May be overthinking-but will continue
looking and decide after trying to Bow fast passages/string crossings on different strings (ex. Beethoven’s 5th 3rd MVT,etc!!)

 

[BHBassist]

Pirastro Passiones are another alternative, and available in medium an stark gauges.
They’re dark and smooth.

Thanks Francois. Never tried those.

 

[BHBassist]

Yes. The Passione stark G is the best G string I've found for my orchestra bass.

Thanks AG.
Will have to look into these.

 

[Mark_T]

looking and decide after trying to Bow fast passages/string crossings on different strings (ex. Beethoven’s 5th 3rd MVT,etc!!)

We're doing Beethoven 9 soon so I'm shedding on the 4th movement. The march stuff needs good articulation, similar challenges to the trio in the 5th.

 

[BHBassist]

We're doing Beethoven 9 soon so I'm shedding on the 4th movement. The march stuff needs good articulation, similar challenges to the trio in the 5th.

Yes-Love the 9th-and that’s my favorite section! Always challenging.

 

[Caro]

You have some good suggestions so far. Maybe Flexocor 92s would sound good too ( Pirastro calls them plain '' Flexocor" ). They are made in 3/4 and 5/4 lengths. The 5/4 might sound and play better on your bass (Ext. E is not made in 5/4 length). I also have a longer string length on my bass (43 3/4 in.} I use Flexocor 5/4 on the D&G. They sound good and bow well. Playing pizz. the D has very little sustain. I recently tried the Peter Infeld. ( D string only ) It sounded very good pizz. and arco, bowed very well. It's brighter than Flexocor but not as bright as Spirocore. It has some sustain playing pizz. There are good descriptions and specs. on their websites. I'm mainly a jazz player and use the bow often. If I was playing mostly orchestral music I would try a full set of Peter Infeld strings. Ext. E is available in this set.

 

[BHBassist]

You have some good suggestions so far. Maybe Flexocor 92s would sound good too ( Pirastro calls them plain '' Flexocor" ). They are made in 3/4 and 5/4 lengths. The 5/4 might sound and play better on your bass (Ext. E is not made in 5/4 length). I also have a longer string length on my bass (43 3/4 in.} I use Flexocor 5/4 on the D&G. They sound good and bow well. Playing pizz. the D has very little sustain. I recently tried the Peter Infeld. ( D string only ) It sounded very good pizz. and arco, bowed very well. It's brighter than Flexocor but not as bright as Spirocore. It has some sustain playing pizz. There are good descriptions and specs. on their websites. I'm mainly a jazz player and use the bow often. If I was playing mostly orchestral music I would try a full set of Peter Infeld strings. Ext. E is available in this set.

Thanks Caro. Stood next to a Bassist with ‘92s but didn’t try his Bass.
Curious about different Flexocores & PI
I do appreciate all the feedback received.

 

[AGCurry]

Thanks Francois. Never tried those.

I have on my bass Original Flat Chrome E, A, and D, with a Passione stark G.