Double Bass Flexocor DeLuxe vs Permanent E strings

[jallenbass]

Mostly looking for orchestral playing opinions. I have a set of ADG FD's with a Permanent E. It's all working well so far but I find the Permanent a little large in diameter. How does the FD E compare in size? Also in sound and bow response?

 

[Phil Rowan]

My bass is wearing the same slightly mixed set, and I'd be curious about this as well (granted, I'm quite happy with the Permanent ext. E). I think the FD E/ext. C is slightly higher in tension, so I wonder if that means it's any thicker than the Permanent E/ext. C, or if Pirastro found a way to make it not as thick but still have slightly more tension.

 

[Dr. Love]

I have used both and from memory they are pretty similar size, at least close enough that I can't remember a difference. To me the FD E has more overall bite and harmonic content/color, the Perm E is a little more polite: deep and clear with less midrange character. Bow response even with my unrefined technique is good on both.

 

[elmer]

I just measured them. They both are 2,6mm just like the Passione stark E is also the same. You can check the tensions from Pirastros site but on a 106cm scale Perm E is 32,7 kilos, FDlx 32,1 kilos and Passione Stark is 31,8.

 

[jallenbass]

I ordered the FD E so I'll see how it goes.

 

[Phil Rowan]

@jallenbass Just curious what you thought of the FD E string?

 

[jallenbass]

I like it. A little darker than the Permanent but matches the response of the other FD's.

 

[Phil Rowan]

I like it. A little darker than the Permanent but matches the response of the other FD's.

Good to know. I’m pretty happy with the Permanent ext. C, but perhaps sometime down the line I’ll check out the FD ext. string.