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Double Bass Dark sounding strings

W

wks52

Apr 28, 2005
6
0
48
Newport, UK
#1
Hi

I've got a really bright sounding bass that could do with losing some of it's edge.

I've currently got red flexocors on the top 3 strings and a thomastik superflexible on the low c extension.

Any Ideas on a darker sounding steel string?

what about orig flex?

my string stop is 42.5 inches. would the extra length and therefore extra tension interfere with the string's sound??
:hmm:

Will
 
#2
I hear that Original Flexecors are brighter than Flexocor 92's. Perhaps Jargars are darker.

But what you may have is a setup problem. My university's Juzek bass had not been setup for several years. Besides being harder to play, the G-string was very bright and nasally, no matter which string I used. A soundpost adjustment would have probably taken care of that problem.

If that's not possible right now, go to your local hardware store and buy some rubber washers. Lay them flat them under the string at the bridge. It will definitely take the edge off the the strings at the expense of some sustain.
 
#3
I think Drake is right that you may want to look into setup issues, but I would also recommend that you try out a set of the Evah Pirazzis.
I'm trying them out right now on my bass, which is quite new and bright, and the EPs help the bass to sound a bit more mature. I find that most metal core strings I've tried (Flex 92, Spiro, Corelli, Helicores) tend to lack something in sound on my bass, and that the EPs give it some extra body and depth.
I play almost all jazz/improvised music, and some solo rep, but I feel like the Pirastros have the potential to be a nice orchestral string as well. Very powerful, even set.
 
#9
dblbss said:
If these strings are "dark sounding" , why are they listed on Upton Bass and The Soundpost's websites as a "bright sounding" string?
Click to expand...

Well, who can say, really? Different basses, different ears, etc.

Among the few of us who I know of, that have used them, I don't think any of us regard them as bright sounding. They are the darkest string I have used to date (that includes Helicore Orchestra, Flat Chromesteel, Corelli 370F, Superflexibles, Dominants, Spirocores, Bel Cantos, and Flexocors).
 
#10
Thats good to know. I am looking for a darker set of strings for my Hofner plywood, it's a very bright sounding bass.

I don't doubt what you say about the strings. I would take someones opinion first who has used them over a catalouge.

Thanks
 
#13
Do Jargars have enough volume? KSB says they're negligably softer than Flex/92's. How are Jargars up in thumb position? I had BC's on my bass and they crushed out in thumb position. Currently I have flex/92 G and D, and spiro mittles A and long-E. I too have a brite bass.
 
#15
Well, the BelCantos (BC) kinda pooped out in the upper register (think kouss concerto 1st movement opening lines), whereas flexocore keeps giving. With the BC's, when you're really laying into the string to pull out the sound, the note crushes, or snuffs out under the bow.

Yeah they're beautiful for Bach Cello suite work, and maybe orchestra (since in lower register), but not for concerti, or even the standard miniatures like the four kouss minis (valse miniature, chanson triste, humouresque, andante), the gliere minis, or the bottesini elegy.

Currently, I'm having good results with flex/92's on the G and D, and spiro mittle on the A and extended-E. Although I do a lot of wrestling with the spiro A on bach cello suites -- the string match across the G/D/A strings in thumb position is not so good.
 
#16
How do the spiros go the flex. 92's? I want to try some spirocores, but I don't know...

If've you're losing the sound to weight then you should move closer to the bridge of use more bow, or both, or neither... basses could be doing it, too. My bass has a ton of spot's I need to play in...
 

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