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Double Bass flexocor deluxe strings

M

Mitch911

Dec 29, 2015
24
2
32
#1
Hi everyone,

I had a set of flexocor deluxe strings on my old bass that I transferred to my new one. I'm loving the g and d strings on it as the higher registers speak very nicely, but I'm feeling that the e and a are extremely tight (more so the a) and I'm not sure if I dig the sound.

will these strings just have to get used to the new bass its on?
I had a set of pirazzi weichs on the new bass before and I might give the e and a of that set a go again.

Lastly, would anyone have a good suggestion for a deep, growly string for the lower strings? I've been reading a bunch of permanents or passiones seem to be a good way to go so far.
 
#2
Mitch911 said:
Hi everyone,

I had a set of flexocor deluxe strings on my old bass that I transferred to my new one. I'm loving the g and d strings on it as the higher registers speak very nicely, but I'm feeling that the e and a are extremely tight (more so the a) and I'm not sure if I dig the sound.

will these strings just have to get used to the new bass its on?
I had a set of pirazzi weichs on the new bass before and I might give the e and a of that set a go again.

Lastly, would anyone have a good suggestion for a deep, growly string for the lower strings? I've been reading a bunch of permanents or passiones seem to be a good way to go so far.
Click to expand...

Arco or Pizz?
 
#6
I play about equal amounts of jazz and classical on the one bass, which I've strung with Flexocore Deluxe G and D and Spirocore A and E (Mittel). On my bass, they seem to match pretty well, though, in general, its a little brighter than I'd like. Of course, the Flexes respond much better under the bow, but as the Spiros age, they're fighting me less and less.
 
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#8
Mike Goodbar said:
I play about equal amounts of jazz and classical on the one bass, which I've strung with Flexocore Deluxe G and D and Spirocore A and E (Mittel). On my bass, they seem to match pretty well, though, in general, its a little brighter than I'd like. Of course, the Flexes respond much better under the bow, but as the Spiros age, they're fighting me less and less.
Click to expand...
This is a combination that always works for me. I have tried this combo made from new sets of Spiros & FDs, but I greatly prefer the same combo composed from older, well-broken in strings.

and the Flex Deluxe strings loosen up a little bit too, after a year or so of consistent playing on them.
 
#10
Hi folks- reviving a dormant thread to get some input on how the Flex Deluxe set changes after being played. Yesterday, I installed them them to replace a set of EP weichs that were beginning to stiffen up and were becoming duller.

My first impression of the set was similar to the OP- the G and D were responding with good clarity, but the A and E strings took much more effort to start with the bow than the EP weichs, and the clarity was not as good as I had hoped for.

It was suggested that the Flex Deluxe strings take a little time to develop- what are your experiences?
 
#11
BassinCT said:
Hi folks- reviving a dormant thread to get some input on how the Flex Deluxe set changes after being played. Yesterday, I installed them them to replace a set of EP weichs that were beginning to stiffen up and were becoming duller.

My first impression of the set was similar to the OP- the G and D were responding with good clarity, but the A and E strings took much more effort to start with the bow than the EP weichs, and the clarity was not as good as I had hoped for.

It was suggested that the Flex Deluxe strings take a little time to develop- what are your experiences?
Click to expand...

Like most string designs, it’s somewhat bass dependent and also dependent on what you like. Some players, especially arco players like a bit of resistance from the strings. If they’ve only been on for a day, I’d say play on them as much as you can and see what develops with your own bass.

On a former bass, they were a good match for both arco and pizz. On my other bass, the full set was too tight for pizzicato. Ironically, a 2 + 2 set of flex deluxe with either Spiro mittels or weichs on the bottom worked pretty well. The Flex deluxe set does get tighter from high to low. Which means you end up with a Pirastro E that actually isn’t wimpy for a change.

That said, they do loosen up somewhat as they get played in. Even slightly lower string heights help with these strings, too.
 
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#13
BassinCT said:
My first impression of the set was similar to the OP- the G and D were responding with good clarity, but the A and E strings took much more effort to start with the bow than the EP weichs, and the clarity was not as good as I had hoped for.
Click to expand...
Have you tried this combination? (Flex Deluxe D/G with EP weich A/E)
BassinCT said:
Hi folks- reviving a dormant thread to get some input on how the Flex Deluxe set changes after being played. Yesterday, I installed them them to replace a set of EP weichs that were beginning to stiffen up and were becoming duller.

My first impression of the set was similar to the OP- the G and D were responding with good clarity, but the A and E strings took much more effort to start with the bow than the EP weichs, and the clarity was not as good as I had hoped for.

It was suggested that the Flex Deluxe strings take a little time to develop- what are your experiences?
Click to expand...
are you talking arco, pizzicato or mixed?
 
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#14
Selim said:
Have you tried this combination? (Flex Deluxe D/G with EP weich A/E)

are you talking arco, pizzicato or mixed?
Click to expand...

Thank you for the suggestion! I tried that yesterday, and immediately felt at home with arco and pizz on the EP weich A and E. (I do roughly 70% arco) I liked the clarity of Flex G & D under the bow, but was still struggling with the feel/responsiveness when doing pizz.

My upright playing is primarily choral accompanying, jazz, chamber and theater- the only orchestral playing I do is summer pops concerts, so I don't have the same arco performance requirements as many others do. Yesterday I was enjoying the sound of the FD's G &D strings, but my hands were getting tired faster (as I am getting older), so I decided to put the rest of the old EP's back on and put the day-old FD's in the classifieds.

Thanks to everyone for your input!
 
#20
Peck_Time said:
I just put Flexocore Deluxe G and D on a bass with older Spiro Mittel A and E.

Bowing is amazing on the G and D now. Pizz is good too, better than mittel G and D in my opinion.

I want to try the A and E now, but i’m scared it might be too different.
Click to expand...
That's my favorite 2 + 2 set and what's on my bass now.

As far as the whole set of FDs, they have gotten a reputation as being on the stiff side and it's somewhat true, but I've also found that to be somewhat instrument dependent. On my former bass, the whole set worked really well, great tone pizz & arco and a good (not too stiff) feel. On my current bass, the whole set is nice with the bow, but plucking is a bit too much work.

So my complaints about the stiffness is mainly referring to pizz response here. I enjoy bowing the whole set (and have been thinking about returning to it).

in any case, those are my 2 favorite strings and I think one can cover a lot of musical ground with that combination.
 

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