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Double Bass Hybrid Strings Help

K

kiwiboy

Jan 5, 2005
21
0
40
Auckland, New Zealand
#1
Hi guys, I'm university student looking for some sting advice. My time is split very evenly between playing Classical and jazz, so naturally I've been on the hunt for the perfect set of hybrid strings.

As far as pizz goes my tone for reference has been McBride’s early-mid career sound (while he was still using Spiros), and as nice as Spiros are for jazz I can't get past their thin raspy arco sound. On the other hand the Evah Pirazzi's are the best (short of gut strings) I've heard for Arco, but they don't have the elasticity and pizz growl I'm looking for.

As well as these strings I’ve tried Helicore mediums (uneven and pretty blah sounding), Obligatos (Good, but too much string roll and again not enough bounce to the strings).

I think what I’m really looking for is a steel (rope?) core string with the tactile feel and low-end growl of the Spiros but with the bow response and smooth top end of the EPs. Okay so really, I want the best of all possible worlds :rolleyes:. Do you guys have any suggestions or any successful combinations of strings?

Thanks for your help
 
#3
Corelli 370TX are a good choice. Also Pirastro Flat-Chromesteel (The new ones, not Original Flat-Chrome). With either of these sets you might want to substitute a Spirocore or Pirastro Jazzer on the E string as the E strings of the Corellis and Flat-Chromesteels are supposedly less than overwhelming.
 
#4
kiwiboy said:
I think what I’m really looking for is a steel (rope?) core string with the tactile feel and low-end growl of the Spiros but with the bow response and smooth top end of the EPs. Okay so really, I want the best of all possible worlds :rolleyes:. Do you guys have any suggestions or any successful combinations of strings?

Thanks for your help
Click to expand...

You may be describing Thomastic Superflexibles here. I use an SF G w/ Spiro Mittel E,A,D. (I just switched the E to a Stark E w/ this set and wow! BIG bottom) The SF G bows smoother and matches quite well. I've often been tempted to try a whole SF set, but I haven't yet. I find the Evah's to be plenty growly and loud when they are newer, but they may have a longevity problem.

BG
 
#5
Its really hard to know what might work without trying these strings first hand so thanks for all the info so far, I might just have to try a set of Corelli 370TXs with a Stark E maybe.

Alongside the Corelli 370s, Superflexibles and Flat-chromesteels does anyone know how Pirastro Permanents would stack up?
 
#9
francois said:
Corellis!
370TX is you dig in harder, 370M for a softer approach.
Click to expand...

+1. I've got 370Fs on my bass, they bow really well (Rabbath plays them), and have a nice punchy pizz tone IF you get the right gauge for your bass. My bass is loud and dark, and the Fortes (mittel) work really well with it. I could probably even go medium (weich), but this is my first Corelli set. TX is their heavy gauge, but they're supposed to still be pretty light.
 

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