Double Bass darker string with stark tension

[brooklynbassguy]

Can anybody recommend a dark, orchestral string similiar to spirocore starks in tension?

 

[Dr Rod]

G and D Flexocore 92 mediums
A and E flexocore originals

A very dark and powerful setup, similar in tension to spiros, but COMPLETELY DIFFERENT in just about any other way, more bowable, not quite as bombastic but still with lots of fundamental.

 

[anonymous0726]

You might want to go with Flex Starks to more closely match the Spiro Starks in tension.

 

[Jeff Moote]

You might want to go with Flex Starks to more closely match the Spiro Starks in tension.

Agreed. I like a bit less tension so I use the mediums, but if you're used to starks, I'd recommend Flex 92 Starks

 

[TroyK]

I thought someone would mention Jargars. Oh Francois....

 

[jimclark68]

A second to Ray's recommendation for Flexocor 92 starks. I mostly played Spiro mediums until trying the Flexs. To me, they felt stiffer than Spiros, and I almost gave up on them, but I've stuck with them and I love them. Ray and Ken have given some excellent information about Flexocors in Ken's sticky and in the 'Flex 92' thread.

 

[Francois Blais]

I thought someone would mention Jargars. Oh Francois....

They're indeed very dark, but I don't find them much high tensioned.
The Flex '92 top / Original Flex bottom combo suggestion was my choice too.

 

[brooklynbassguy]

I have a set of original flatchromes, which is the same as original flexocor? I like the sound on the stick, but they don't feel as stiff as the spiro starks...

 

[brooklynbassguy]

Well it seems the strings that sound closest on my Zeta to my DB with spirocore starks are spirocore starks. The Zeta tends to be a dark sounding EUB. I'll update as they break in.

 

[KSB - Ken Smith]

For me with the Bow the full set of Stark 92s Flex is the best. The Orig Flex is a bit brighter and does not Bow as smoothly. They are smooth but not as smooth. Also, depending on your Bass, eveness within the color of the Tone is also important.

I had Starks on my Loveri and reg 92s on my newly aquired Bisiach. The Bisiach is a stronger healthier Bass so today I swapped the two sets on these Basses. The results were great. The Bisiach is louder and deeper than before. The Loveri was very tight and now with reg Flex 92s the sound has opened up. Remember that with many older Basses, the extra tension can also 'choke' the sound of the Top rather than help it. In that case, if the 'E' is too soft in the 92 set, just switch it to the Stark 'E'. I have used all the above mentioned sets on about 8 high quality Bass both new and old. If you know your Bass, you can estimate what to put on it.