Double Bass NS EUB megathread

[Gorgula]

I put a set of Pirastro Obligato strings on my CR5M last night. It was a 4 string set that I got from a guy who had them on his UB for a couple days.

The change wasn't drastic, but it was definitely an improvement. Much more woody/organic. Most importantly, the G string no longer has the metallic/ fretless BG sound it used to have.

Still need to find a B string. Anyone?

 

[onkelpo]

Hi,
I'm soon to start gigging with a CR4M which I recently aquired and I want to purchase some new strings as backup.
I'd like to stay with NS strings at this time as I'm new to the world of EUB and as someone mentioned before, experimentation of DB strings can be costly.
What are peoples experiance of NS Flatwound, Roundwound or Helicores ?
I'm looking for a sound that is close to a DB so my initial reaction would be to go for Flatwounds, I'm guessing.
Finally, I'm based in the UK. Where is the cheapest place to buy NS strings ?. Can anyone suggest an outlet in the uk, overseas or am I best ordering from NS direct.
All comments and suggestions welcome.
Thanks, Alan

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

Hi,
I'm soon to start gigging with a CR4M which I recently aquired and I want to purchase some new strings as backup.
I'd like to stay with NS strings at this time as I'm new to the world of EUB and as someone mentioned before, experimentation of DB strings can be costly.
What are peoples experiance of NS Flatwound, Roundwound or Helicores ?
I'm looking for a sound that is close to a DB so my initial reaction would be to go for Flatwounds, I'm guessing.
Finally, I'm based in the UK. Where is the cheapest place to buy NS strings ?. Can anyone suggest an outlet in the uk, overseas or am I best ordering from NS direct.
All comments and suggestions welcome.
Thanks, Alan

Well, in my experience - the NS strings are the least like a DB!!

I bought some Pirastro Flexocors (Orch) for my NSCR5 and they sound much more like a real DB!

I bought my strings from

http://www.polychord.com

and they have been very good - generally cheaper than UK shops, but VAT is included, so no problems with customs holding stuff up, which has been a problem when buying from the US.

 

[kewleb]

Hello again Bruce

Finally got my Flexocors after speaking to you a few weeks ago via pm. Yeah, their sound is definitely more like a DB and you were dead right about the loss of sustain. At the moment, the arco doesn't sound too great, but I'm assuming that this will improve when i've worn the strings in a bit. I have the same problem when I put brand new strings on my violin. The sound gets richer and deeper after playing the strings in for a few weeks.

Onkelpo, if you want a big fretless-like sound, go for the NS strings. These are best ordered from www.basscentral.com in Florida. They cost around £50 and are usually sent quite quickly. However, if you want a real Double bass tone, take Bruce's advice and get the Pirastro Flexocors. They are expensive but worth the money. They are reasonably priced at www.polychord.com which is a site in Vienna that doesn't charge postage

 

[onkelpo]

Thanks for the response Bruce and Kewleb. I'm tempted by the Pirastro Flexocors as the tone that is being described does appear to be what I'm looking for.
A couple more questions if you don't mind...
Is it possible to fit these like the NS strings so the battery compartment is still exposed ?
Is the Flexocor a hybrid type string ?

Bruce, as your only an hour from me, do you use any particular luthier in the South East to maintain your NS. Always useful to know someone in case of problems.

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

Is it possible to fit these like the NS strings so the battery compartment is still exposed ?

No they're too long - but this has never been a problem to me when changing the batteries (once year only!) - I just loosen the middle two strings until I can pull them aside and access the battery compartment - no problem!!

Is the Flexocor a hybrid type string ?

Errr..don't know what you mean - ask Francois!!

Bruce, as your only an hour from me, do you use any particular luthier in the South East to maintain your NS. Always useful to know someone in case of problems.

Err...never used one - they're so solid - what can go wrong ?
Adjustments are simplicity itself and you can download the manual from the NS webiste.

But if I was to do this, I would go back to the Bass Centre in London where I bought it!!

I have taken BGs back there and they have fixed stuff for me for free and they have been very good - I think their tech guy is called Chris - he's very knowledgeable and approachable.

 

[bassisten]

Hi guys!


I've just bought a 5-string set of D'addario Helicore Hybrids thanks to you guys and with suggestions from my upright bass-teacher.

I'm getting the stings on tuesday, I'll let you know what I think about them when they're fitted.

 

[Francois Blais]

Regarding the question about Flexocors being an hybrid string:
The Flexocors are made of steel, and are meant mostly at orchestral/arco playing.
They're loaded with dampening stuff that makes them more thumpy and warm when playing pizz. It also reduces sustain.
On EUBs this can give good results if a very warm tone with less sustain is desired.

 

[onkelpo]

Well its time I bought some new strings for the NS and have decided to give the Pirastro Flexocor Orchs a try as recommended by Bruce and co. On searching the web, net of VAT at US158.24 seems to be the best price I have found. Shipping is not an issue as I would be ordering several sets of BG strings within the same order.
Does anyone know of a better price for these ?
Thanks
Alan

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Gorgula]

Check Link Removed. They carry a lot of Pirastro strings and their prices are better than juststrings.com.

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

Well its time I bought some new strings for the NS and have decided to give the Pirastro Flexocor Orchs a try as recommended by Bruce and co. On searching the web, net of VAT at US158.24 seems to be the best price I have found. Shipping is not an issue as I would be ordering several sets of BG strings within the same order.
Does anyone know of a better price for these ?
Thanks
Alan

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I bought mine from

PolyChord, Gann & Co. KEG
Helgard Steger

http://www.polychord.com

in Vienna Austria - no shipping charge to UK and no further charges added on as VAT is already levied.

- if you buy from the US, then VAT will be added on and your package will get stopped in customs with further charges added on for the privilege!!

 

[onkelpo]

Bruce, am I right in saying I need 4/4 and what will the affect of Soft, Medium are Hard be on the tone, bearing in mind I'm looking for a tone very close to upright.

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

I just went for medium and I think it was full size, but can't remember being asked this?

 

[Funkateer]

I purchased a set of Corelli 370Ms for my NSD EU5 on Francois' recommendation, and I couldn't be happier. I especially like the lower tension.

 

[greitzer]

I put a set of Pirastro Obligato strings on my CR5M last night. It was a 4 string set that I got from a guy who had them on his UB for a couple days . . . The change wasn't drastic, but it was definitely an improvement. Much more woody/organic.

I've got the CRM 4-string. Given that the Obligatos are hybrid strings (not all steel), would this affect the ability of the magnetic pickups to pick up these strings? Or is the steel coating on Obligatos enough for the mag pickups to pick them up? I've been curious about this; so far I've only used all-steel strings on my NS, but I love one of the synthetic hybrid strings (TI Dominant) on my DB.

Gorgula, are you still happy with the Obligatos on your EUB?

 

[Bob Gollihur]

I've got the CRM 4-string. Given that the Obligatos are hybrid strings (not all steel), would this affect the ability of the magnetic pickups to pick up these strings? Or is the steel coating on Obligatos enough for the mag pickups to pick them up? I've been curious about this; so far I've only used all-steel strings on my NS, but I love one of the synthetic hybrid strings (TI Dominant) on my DB.

Gorgula, are you still happy with the Obligatos on your EUB?

There is not enough metallic content in Obligatos for use with magnetic pickups.

 

[greitzer]

Thanks for the quick response Bob. I'll stick with the all-steel variety.

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

I only have piezo pickups in my NS bass as I prefer the sound - I tried basses with magnetic pickups and thought it sounded more like fretless BG...?

 

[worldDmz]

I only have piezo pickups in my NS bass as I prefer the sound - I tried basses with magnetic pickups and thought it sounded more like fretless BG...?

I have found you can use any string with the piezo pickups. I recently tried Velvet Garbos. While the gut strings had too much sustain for my tastes, they worked fine with the piezo pickup.

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

I have found you can use any string with the piezo pickups. I recently tried Velvet Garbos. While the gut strings had too much sustain for my tastes, they worked fine with the piezo pickup.

That's what I was saying - so I am a bit bemused that anyone would use Gut with magnetic pickups...

The only reason I can think of for using gut, would be to get more of a real DB sound - but then my experience has been that using magnetic pickups, defeats this objective entirely!!