Can anyone compare the differences between the three,Original Flex,Deluxe and 92 in terms tone quality and playability in reference to the G. Very interested in trying one of these to join Spiro Weich or Mittle D-A-E. Comments welcomed...
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Double Bass Flexocore Deluxe!
- Thread starter Jesse Dietschi
- Start date
lrhbass: I have used the Flexocore De Luxe G with the 3885 Spiro Weichs. The Flex De Luxe G ( 64. 1 lbs) has approx the same tension as the Spiro Weich A. On my bass the Flex De Luxe G tension dampened the sound of the Spiro Weich D ( 61.7 lbs) a bit.
So I would say the Flex De Luxe G would be a better (less zingy) fit with Spiro Mittels.
A better match (sound and tension) for the Spiro Weichs would be the Zyex medium G. I am very happy with that combo for pizz.
Between the three varieties of Flexocor, the Deluxe would probably go best with Spiro Mittels in terms of tone color and feel. The tension and feel would be a mismatch with Spiro Weich EAD.
The Original Flex G is bright and penetrating, sometimes obnoxiously so. Flex 92 G is darker and more in balance with the rest of the set which are generally very even across the strings on most basses. Some say the Flex 92 E is weak and lacks power, but in truth it has an extremely deep fundamental that most basses struggle to bring out. On the right bass it lacks little or nothing.The Deluxe G is more meaty and aggressive than the 92s; the whole Deluxe set is very versatile and can actually growl when played pizz, though their growl is not as pronounced as the Spiro growl.
The Original Flex G is bright and penetrating, sometimes obnoxiously so. Flex 92 G is darker and more in balance with the rest of the set which are generally very even across the strings on most basses. Some say the Flex 92 E is weak and lacks power, but in truth it has an extremely deep fundamental that most basses struggle to bring out. On the right bass it lacks little or nothing.The Deluxe G is more meaty and aggressive than the 92s; the whole Deluxe set is very versatile and can actually growl when played pizz, though their growl is not as pronounced as the Spiro growl.
I play pretty equally in both styles, but all of my training is in jazz. If you aren't concerned at all about bow tone/response, then really I have yet to know of a better string for jazz than Spiros (unless you're into the gut thing, which I'm not really). Standard of cats out here in Toronto is to do Spiros with a different G string (since the Spiro G is too bright for most people's taste), and really any kind of warmer "classical" string will work great. I like to pizz sound of the Flexo Deluxe G, but also find that the Pirastro Passione G is nice with Spiros, especially for instruments that are already pretty bright (mos def an orchestra string, so I wouldn't recommend a whole set of them).
Obviously I'm biased, but I think my 2/2 split set of Flexo Deluxe and Spiro mittels is the way to go for an instrument that can pretty much do whatever you want!
After a couple of painful days, it's back to the Sonores Basso set. I like the sound better anyway, and if they're trickier to bow, that's what practice is for.
I and very happy with a full set of Flexocor Deluxe. At first they sounded rather twangy, very metalic and almost screechy. They soon blossomed. Now I enjoy powerfully responsive low strings and agile high strings with bell like clarity. I have tried Passione stark and regular, Bell Canto, Evah Parazzi, Helicore, Flex 92, Permanent. Loved the full fat fundamental of EP on the low strings but the high strings seemed a bit nasally. Loved the clean clear singing of Bel Canto high strings but the lows were not as full as I wished. Flexocor Deluxe, after a few weeks break in, are lovely to play, nicely responsive, beautiful sustain on pizz, singing clear highs and full body massage lows. First impressions with these strings must be discounted. Give them a few weeks to know what they do.
The FDs w/ Perm long E are back on, and I'm gradually getting used to them. Everyone agrees they sound great arco and pizz. I'll probably try the FD long E just to find out what the deal is. Let's hope this string adventure doesn't turn into another black hole of indecision.
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Can the title of the "Strings" Forum be permanently retitled "Another Black Hole Of Indecision"?
Thanks.
Thanks.
After a few weeks with a full set of these, I enthusiastically agree with all of the above!
What surprised me was how dark the FDs were on my bass right out of the pack, esp. after hearing reports here on TB about how they are brighter than the EP's they replaced. In fact, they are way darker than my fully broken-in set of EPs -- which actually makes them perfect for my kinda on the bright side bass. (But I could see how they might be too dark on an already dark sounding bass.)
They are absolutely wonderful to bow. The pizzicato response is a little tighter than what I'm used to, but the sound sure is there. Great lows. And I'm not working any harder than I was with the EP's, in fact much less so with the bow. I was never a big fan of the Spiro growl, so the FD's work out well in that respect, it's more muted, but they have their own growl.
I liked the arco sound and response from the beginning. The pizz sound went from "very usable for jazz" to "what the **** happened" to
"nice and mellow-can go either way depending on how they're played". They seemed to go through a bit of a dead period as they settled in.
"nice and mellow-can go either way depending on how they're played". They seemed to go through a bit of a dead period as they settled in.
Interesting - a dead period, then they come back to life ... how long have they been on your bass? Now that they have come back to life, are you getting a pizz sound/response that you consistently like (for "jazz")?
I'd have to say that fresh out the pack, the pizz sound was somewhat quiet & closed down (too polite, not what I was hoping for), but after a few weeks they have opened up considerably. A shorter sustain than Spiros or even EPs, but they make up for that with a very rich tone. As you say, "depending on how they're played" means getting to know the strings. And we've just met.
But they are hands down a winner for me: my practice is 90% focused on the bow right now.
Interesting, completely the opposite from my experience. My bass is by no means a dark sounding instrument, but the FD's were quite dark right after tuning up to pitch.
Just another reminder of how bass-specific all this stuff really is -- more about synergy than anything else.
For a few days about a week after I put them on, they felt very stiff under the bow and the pizz was very thumpy. Then, everything loosened up, including the pizz. I actually have to be conscious of not making a "jazz" sound in orchestra-the sustain is longer than I thought it would be, but with no growl; just the way I like it. I'm very pleased with them after years with the pleasure/pain of various gut strings.
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Well that's something to look forward to! I can hear/feel that they are headed in that direction.
Salcott, you're right - I just went thru this phase! For 3-4 days: stiff. Then, one morning I picked up the bass and it was all different. Now they are very nice.
Overall, the nicest (tone), most responsive & playable strings I've had on this bass. I hope the braided steel core means they will stay this nice for a long time.
erniepro, are you using the Spiro extended E with or without an extension? I'm tempted to throw an old regular/mittel Spiro E on because, after a month's time with a full set of FDs, the E pizzicato response hasn't yet joined the other 3 -- a bit too polite, not as loud, not as open. I am very happy with the full set for arco. Maybe I just need to wait, play it in some more ...
But is there some sort of advantage to using an long E instead of a regular E on a bass with NO extension?
Yes I am using the long E with the extension on my bass. No- I don't think the long E gives any advantage used at standard length.
I have used an extended string that way with no problems, but you can surely use a standard length mittel -- I expect it will work very well with the FD for you.too.
I have used an extended string that way with no problems, but you can surely use a standard length mittel -- I expect it will work very well with the FD for you.too.
