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Double Bass Jargar vs. Flexocor (or other Pirastros) HI's and Low's

#21
Here are the Gauges as measured while tuned up; G-E, .048"-.059"-.080"-.111". All Red Bottoms with Blue Tops.

After about 2 hours, they have started to settle. Remember, this Bass has had Heavy Flexocors on it for about 20 years. The Top now seems to have less pressure on it and the Bass it self is adjusting to the new type of Strings and at the same time the Stringe are just breaking in.

If it's not too booring to readers of this Thread, I will post any changes that occur if I think they are of interest to others.
 
#23
Well, the Paint is almost dry. The strings are starting to sound more balanced as they settle in. The G is so Smooth with the Bow and un-bright with Pizz. I am temped to fit my Shadow pickup to the Bridge Tabs and see if the Speaker holds out. I might even take it on a Jazz gig and introduce them to 'Smooth n Deep'. I will start the Orchestra season with these Strings and I hope I don't need the Starks for the Volume difference. These Jargars are so much easier to play and softer to the touch.
 
#25
Well Don, I didn't want to stir things up but I agree that they sound a bit like gut when you listen to the Bas from a slight distance but without the gut-edge or scratchiness. They are smoother and deeper Pizz sounding than Obligato and bow 100 times better. These are the Heavy/Forte gauge. The loudest bowable Strings are the Regular Flexocor Starks for Orchestral playing. It's kinda funny that the Bass I tested them on is a Huge English Orchestral Bass but KILLS with that old Jazz sound THICK bottom. Even the G string on this Bass sounds deep with either string.. Well, I guess the Bass can also make a set of stings shine as well..
 
#29
"Danish Butter" ... I have not played in the Orchestra yet with them. That will be the true test but for now, they are so so smooth n dark.

I am trying some Flexocor Starks now on my Gilkes. It turns out that the ones that came on the Dodd(?) Bass were the old formula from 20-30 years ago and a much heavier gauge. The new 92s? Flex Starks are just a tad heavier than the reg 92s but the E.. wow.. it's balanced like it should be. The rex Flex E is like a complete Gauge too light for it's own set. The Starks balance better. If I were using reg 92s and needed a better E, I would go with the Stark as it is better and more tonally balanced than Perm, Orig Flex or any other substitution. Those 'Subs' are also heavier gauged and is the main reason why they work so you might as well stay within the 'Species' for sound and get the Stark E.
 
#31
Much much less tension than Perms. Considering Obligatos are reg and these are heavy, I like these better. The Action is higher than I normally play and still like butter to press the strings down. For Jazz playing brighter Growl, Obligatos might be better but these have such a fat tone I can go with it as my new sound.
 
#32
I have felt that Jargar Fortes have been under-exposed and underrated in this forum since I put them on 6 months ago. It's good to see that validated by someone more experienced like Ken. I recently switched the E and A out for something that would match G, D gut tension -soon to be installed. While the Helicore Orch mediums I installed are lower in tension and yield more power in the lower register, they've only underscored how good the Jargars are. They sound banjo-like in comparison and they never fully start under the bow. I feel like I'm scraping the strings rather than playing them.

They are the best thing I've had on for arco and I find the pizz sound very gratifying. My only complaint is that the pizz E and A aren't very assertive on my bass -a Christopher Hybrid. Of course, your results may vary. I would be interested to hear from any brothers, sisters using the Jargar Fortes for jazz.
 
#33
You've been holding out on us..lol

I like the A and E pizz. I get some heavy bottom growl but that's on a Bass that costs more then my Two Buicks combined and the Explorer as well..

I think that a Bass with good Tension and not too tight will work well if the Top 'floats' well. If the Top is stiff, they may be too floppy and not growl at all. Heck, I get Growl from the Stark Flexs on my Gilkes too. What does that mean?

Maybe I could get DZ to come over and record a few Pizz lines on each Bass and put it in the Sound Sample Pages. If I feel up to it, I'll bow a lick or too as well. Hey, great idea from my DB Web page huh?
 
#34
Well I think Jargars will be my next set of strings. The Dominants aren't cutting it for me anymore. They have a very loud, but also somewhat harsh bowed sound on my bass. I need something smoother. And a darker, less-sustainy pizz sound wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.... Of course my next switch is still several months away, so maybe by then I will have tamed the Doms a bit more.
 
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#35
KSB - Ken Smith said:
You've been holding out on us..lol
Click to expand...
I've made it a point to endure whatever strings I put on for at least 6 months. That's easier if I don't post anything and avert my eyes from the String Forum. Also, a lot of my first impressions have been way off base when framed against a longer evaluation period. Can anyone say Obligatos?
KSB - Ken Smith said:
I think that a Bass with good Tension and not too tight will work well if the Top 'floats' well. If the Top is stiff, they may be too floppy and not growl at all. Heck, I get Growl from the Stark Flexs on my Gilkes too. What does that mean?
Click to expand...
That makes sense. It explains why I can get a growl with the lower tension, but insufferable, Heli Orchs and not with the Jargars.

Waiting for results of the DZ sound collaboration.
 
#37
Funny, Obligatos changed my attitude about first impressions too. I don't review a string now until I've lived with it for a while.

I loved them when they went on and was heartbroken 3 months later, tried to make it work, still heart broken after 6 months...took me about a year to get over her...I mean them.

-tk
 
#38
I have liked Obigatos since the First set I tried a few years ago and still like them for Jazz. The problem is that they are not for Heavy Orchestra bowing and I need all my Basses to Bow mainly. Pizz is second. I have been using my Gilkes for all my Jazz work for the last year or so with great results.

I have used Obligatos, Original Flat Chrome, Regular Flexocor and now Flexocor Starks on the Gilkes. The best part is when the Bass works 100% with either style. The Pizz for Jazz IS more Growly with Obligatos but with the other 3 types, it gets more of the older Ray Brown thick tone when he had his Italian Bass with gut strings.
 
#39
Hey Ken, let us know what you thought of the Jargar Forte's after you get a chance to rehearse with your orch. Also remind us again of your setup. I believe you've put on a complete set of Forte's (red tail silks) with a long E (low C) string -- correct?

I hope your judgement is that they are a dark (good for a bright bass), powerful (good for orchestra), smooth bowing string where all four strings actually match together well (what a concept). I'm especially interested in how you like the sound/projection of the long E.

- Mark
 
#40
The E is regular without Extension. they are on the Dodd Bass. The have slightly less power/presence than Flexocor Stark but more under current Lows. If your Bass has good Power, the lower frequency shold make up the difference. The ARE the smoothest Bowing string I have tried. Flexocor is a close 2nd.

Actually, I am comparing them to OLD Starks or Stark+s. The New Starks are not as thick in diameter ate the 20-30 year old strings that were on the Bass b4.

Flex Starks are louder and deeper than reg. Flex and the E IS balanced with that set unlike the reg floppy E.
 

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