Double Bass Dark sounding Arco Strings

[Thumpie]

On one of my basses, I'm looking for some really dark sounding arco strings.

So far I've tried very old Spiro Weiches and new Belcantos.

Pizzicato response is NOT a factor. I'm going to use this bass exclusively for arco for a while.

Any ideas?

 

[Hector Wolff]

I've bowed Heliocore Orch Regs, Flexocore 92 Orch Regs with a Heavy E, Evah Pirazzi Regs, and Belcantos and to me (on my bass) the Evah Regulars were the darkest and loudest.

 

[Thumpie]

I've bowed Heliocore Orch Regs, Flexocore 92 Orch Regs with a Heavy E, Evah Pirazzi Regs, and Belcantos and to me (on my bass) the Evah Regulars were the darkest and loudest.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[DoubleMIDI]

+1

Evah regular are really dark.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Flexocor 92 Starks are REALLY deep and dark and will also pizz in a pinch, as long as your bass doesn't mind some tension.

 

[TonyD]

Or Presto Balance Orchestra - I have a set for sale if you like...

 

[Thumpie]

Flexocor 92 Starks are REALLY deep and dark and will also pizz in a pinch, as long as your bass doesn't mind some tension.

I'm probably not going to load starks. I assume the Evah mediums are comparable to Spiro Mittels...? I probably don't want anything higher tension than
that...

 

[Thumpie]

Or Presto Balance Orchestra - I have a set for sale if you like...

I'll consider them during my research!

 

[Kai Sanchez]

I experienced that Evah Pirazzi Weich are close to Spirocore Mittels.

 

[iiipopes]

Don't laugh: D'addario Prelude. The G string is really, really smooth and dark and the set is comparable in tension to Spiro S42 Medium.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Don't laugh: D'addario Prelude. The G string is really, really smooth and dark and the set is comparable in tension to Spiro S42 Medium.

Ack! The G might make a decent pizz string for you but as a set for arco? I think not.

Try the Pirastro family, specifically Flexocor '92 or Evah Pirazzi Weich - the the EPs are stiffer, the Flexes are perhaps a little darker.

 

[Thumpie]

I've got a set of Helicore Hybrids that's been sitting around unused for over a decade. I suppose I should pop them on just for kicks the next time I do a string change...

 

[SVT4001]

Pirastro Passiones are the darkest arco strings I've encountered. FWIW I use Flexocor 92's and Passiones are (imho) a good bit darker.

Disclosure: I've never used Evahs.

Joe

 

[Matt Burri]

I'm really happy with my Kaplan mediums. Despite having a lot of clarity and high end, they are also very dark and blend extremely easily. They also respond quickly, don't distort, and are very reasonably priced.

 

[LouisF]

Jargars

Louis

 

[iiipopes]

Ack! The G might make a decent pizz string for you but as a set for arco? I think not.

OK, of course. I was just thinking that if they go "dead" quicker, then that would be really dark for those few moments...never mind. I mean, hey, I needed a G string and it was on sale for less than a Spiro G used for immediate delivery for the gig I had coming up at the time. (Sigh) I guess it's my turn to by the next round of beverages...but I do tell you - it doesn't twang out and does stay stable in both tone and intonation.

 

[fstasiak]

+1 on the Jargars.
Good price too.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

OK, of course. I was just thinking that if they go "dead" quicker, then that would be really dark for those few moments...never mind. I mean, hey, I needed a G string and it was on sale for less than a Spiro G used for immediate delivery for the gig I had coming up at the time. (Sigh) I guess it's my turn to by the next round of beverages...but I do tell you - it doesn't twang out and does stay stable in both tone and intonation.

I wasn't condemning your choice of string for your bass, just as an arco string. The Eastman basses at the store come with Preludes and they sound pretty good for the price. They have a less nuanced, less complex sound than their Helicore cousins but they are much better than the really cheap Chinese strings that come on some basses...

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

I'm really happy with my Kaplan mediums. Despite having a lot of clarity and high end, they are also very dark and blend extremely easily. They also respond quickly, don't distort, and are very reasonably priced.

I'm with you on everything but the clarity and high end part.
They are very dark and sound smooth as dark chocolate under the bow.

 

[eerbrev]

The Darkest strings I know of are Pirastro Olivs. Gut core, Chrome winding. They seem to be slightly more bulletproof than the Eudoxas as well ( i know one baroque guy who has a low E string he's had for like, 5 years, AND it's on a removable neck bass).

Original Flat chomes aren't as dark as some, but they are fantastic to bow.

eerbrev