Double Bass Favorite Arco Extension C String

[avant_chard]

Hey all,

Not having a lot of luck with the search function.

What are your orchestra extension C strings of choice? I’m looking for something that speaks quickly under spiccato.

I recently switched from Flexocor Deluxe (which I liked for articulation but was not so powerful) to a Permanent C which is powerful but driving me crazy how slow it speaks.

What do y’all think?

 

[Jmilitsc]

I had Kaplans mediums and lights and they have volume but are dark sounding, hard to tell how they cut thru at a distance. Currently have Spiro Weichs 3885, and it’s OK - a bit brighter and maybe a touch more powerful/volume. All 3 of these speak quickly with the bow but the kaplans faster than the Spiro. I wonder if the Spiro formula changed in general, the last set of Weichs i had were wonderful, these not so much.

I’m thinking of switching to the Tempera Basso’s next, so I’m hoping someone chimes in with positive info on the long C here!

 

[Mark_T]

Is there a 3885 extension string?

 

[avant_chard]

I had Kaplans mediums and lights and they have volume but are dark sounding, hard to tell how they cut thru at a distance. Currently have Spiro Weichs 3885, and it’s OK - a bit brighter and maybe a touch more powerful/volume. All 3 of these speak quickly with the bow but the kaplans faster than the Spiro. I wonder if the Spiro formula changed in general, the last set of Weichs i had were wonderful, these not so much.

I’m thinking of switching to the Tempera Basso’s next, so I’m hoping someone chimes in with positive info on the long C here!

I actually played on the Tempera basso for half of last year. They’re really wonderful strings with a lot of character, definitely requires pretty different approach but the sound and resonance is great.

That said, they’re ever so slightly too slow for really clean Mozart-type strokes, especially for American-style playing. I’m taking job auditions so I decided to switch back to a standard steel string (Belcanto). I’d love having them on a solo or chamber bass though!

I may just hold out for the new Thomastik prototype string to come out and see how the C string fares

 

[Jmilitsc]

Is there a 3885 extension string?

I should have been more clear - i have a 3885 ADG mixed with an S42 Weich E/C, Gollihur hooked up that set.