Double Bass Obligatos Users?

[TroyK]

I've been living with an experiment that I've meant to try for a while now:

Pirastro Jazzers on E and A
Pirastro Obligati on D and G

Feel, balance, even tone is very complementary and favorable. All of said strings in my experience are in good physical shape, but not new.

I have enough experience with Jazzers to know that new replacements would be a lot more assertive, but I don't know with the Obligati.

Playing unplugged with a quintet the sound, at least up to me, is feable. I've been doing this same session in the same room with the same guys and Spirocore Weichs and they were handing it better.

But, my Spirocores are too ratty to be my go to strings, so I was trying this. I do prefer the gauge of my current experiment to the gauge of Spirocore Weichs and Spirocore Reds are too stiff for my bass, which is old and doesn't respond well to tension.

So, I need to buy new strings. I'm tempted to go back to Jazzer E-D and Original Flat Chrome G, which has served me well for a good bit of time. Alternatively, could buy a new set of Spirocores and just accept that the gauge is what it is.

Just thought it worth asking Obligato users if I could expect a new D and G to behave enough differently sonically to expect that to be a solution for me. Any direct experience would be appreciated.

 

[Sam Dingle]

@Steve Boisen knows

 

[Francois Blais]

I think the Obligatos give a great acoustic tone, but amplified that's another story...
Too middy-high for my taste, not enough fondamental.
They get lost in the mix.

 

[TroyK]

Because I haven't used new ones in years I can't really say, but based on the ones I have, I am generally mostly happy with the acoustic tone at home, but not in a mix with other instruments. Honestly amplified sounds is not as important to me right now, though I had less trouble with them on my last gig.

I'm working on a slow recording project this year, so I've taken all of the pickups off my bass and will be recording with mics. I can get away with no amplification for a lot of the types of gigs I play if I'm using Spirocores or Jazzers and can always put a pickup on for a single gig. But, i'm working on the setup that would be best for my recording and would like to rehearse acoustic and have that work out as well.

I know that Obligatos aren't going to sound like Spirocores and I don't want them to, but I would be interested in impressions from Steve or others with a good deal of recent experience with them in the sonic differences between a new D and G vs older ones that have been one and off a few times.

 

[Sam Dingle]

I found a new d and g sounded good in the beginning (next to Spiro orchestras) but in the mix they got lost. That's typically the concern with them. Sounding good at home but not on the bandstand

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

I don’t think new Obligatos will sound significantly different than broken in ones. The D & G strings in particular don’t change that drastically as they age.

- Steve

 

[TroyK]

Thanks, Steve. That's what I needed to know. The feel great. Perfect match with the lower Jazzers.

Not going to work for me this year, though.

 

[TroyK]

I put an old Jazzer D back on yesterday, so now I've got Jazzer, Jazzer, Jazzer, Obligato. I've done this before the 2+2 mix was the experiment.

Off the bat, though this works better. The Jazzer D is less mushy than the Obligato D, both sonically and tactile...y? But it seems to wake up the Obligato G a bit too. Still feels very balanced, but it's not the first time that I've felt that the string next to a string changes its qualities a bit. I ran with this setup for a while some years ago and felt it was too dark, but also realized after I swapped it out that I needed a soundpost adjustment, so it may be worth trying again.

My general feelings about Jazzer D's is that it is better than the G (which I really don't like) but not nearly as good as the E or A. It gets better with age, but new they kind of suck. I might refresh me E and A and use the old D. And I may keep the Obligato G for a while or try a few similar things, but I know that the Original Flat Chrome is an awesome fit. They are a bit expensive and I don't think they age well beyond about 9 or 10 months, which is why I am at least curious about alternatives.

 

[BassiklyAC]

I put an old Jazzer D back on yesterday, so now I've got Jazzer, Jazzer, Jazzer, Obligato. I've done this before the 2+2 mix was the experiment.

Off the bat, though this works better. The Jazzer D is less mushy than the Obligato D, both sonically and tactile...y? But it seems to wake up the Obligato G a bit too. Still feels very balanced, but it's not the first time that I've felt that the string next to a string changes its qualities a bit. I ran with this setup for a while some years ago and felt it was too dark, but also realized after I swapped it out that I needed a soundpost adjustment, so it may be worth trying again.

My general feelings about Jazzer D's is that it is better than the G (which I really don't like) but not nearly as good as the E or A. It gets better with age, but new they kind of suck. I might refresh me E and A and use the old D. And I may keep the Obligato G for a while or try a few similar things, but I know that the Original Flat Chrome is an awesome fit. They are a bit expensive and I don't think they age well beyond about 9 or 10 months, which is why I am at least curious about alternatives.

Hi Troy,

Thought I’d put my two cents in since you said you were curious about alternatives.

Have you tried the Zyex strings from D’Addario? I’ve been very happy with them for some time now.

Whatever the case, good luck on your quest.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

I'll second the Zyex suggestion. I've been using the lights for 3 years now and enjoy them quite a bit. @Ed Fuqua turned me on to them on the forum.

 

[TroyK]

I used Zyex for about 6 months and generally liked them, but I had a bad A string and D'Addario didn't care. They told me that I was welcome to buy a set of Helicores. The response was exactly the opposite of what I would have received from Pirastro and it turned me off of the company or at least re-enforced what I thought of them to begin with.

I liked them well enough otherwise, but I'm not considering them an option at this point. I get that their market is overwhelmingly guitar/bass guitar strings and I'm happy to buy several different $6 sets of guitar strings to find what works best, but with the cost of bass strings and a known quality issue with specifically the A string, if they care about this particular market, they need to do better.

Velvet has a reputation for occasional issues with their strings, but also have a reputation for supporting their customers when they have problems, then again, we're not 1% of their market, like we are with D'Addario.

Don't mean to rant or bash, I was genuinely disappointed and my experience is already documented here anyway.

Probably going back to either Spirocores or Jazzers with a Original Flat Chrome G. Both have worked well for me in the past in slightly different ways.

 

[daddarioorch631]

I used Zyex for about 6 months and generally liked them, but I had a bad A string and D'Addario didn't care. They told me that I was welcome to buy a set of Helicores. The response was exactly the opposite of what I would have received from Pirastro and it turned me off of the company or at least re-enforced what I thought of them to begin with.

I liked them well enough otherwise, but I'm not considering them an option at this point. I get that their market is overwhelmingly guitar/bass guitar strings and I'm happy to buy several different $6 sets of guitar strings to find what works best, but with the cost of bass strings and a known quality issue with specifically the A string, if they care about this particular market, they need to do better.

Velvet has a reputation for occasional issues with their strings, but also have a reputation for supporting their customers when they have problems, then again, we're not 1% of their market, like we are with D'Addario.

Don't mean to rant or bash, I was genuinely disappointed and my experience is already documented here anyway.

Probably going back to either Spirocores or Jazzers with a Original Flat Chrome G. Both have worked well for me in the past in slightly different ways.

Hey Troy,

I'm so sorry to hear you had a bad experience with our customer service department! Please let me know when this happened and who you spoke to. I'd like to send you a sample set of Zyex strings to make amends for the bad A you received. I hope you'll go into trying the strings again with open ears. Shoot us a direct message with your address info and we'll send it out ASAP.

As always, you can reach out to us with questions, comments, and complaints at [email protected].

Happy playing!

 

[TomB]

I used Zyex for about 6 months and generally liked them, but I had a bad A string and D'Addario didn't care. They told me that I was welcome to buy a set of Helicores. The response was exactly the opposite of what I would have received from Pirastro and it turned me off of the company or at least re-enforced what I thought of them to begin with.

I liked them well enough otherwise, but I'm not considering them an option at this point. I get that their market is overwhelmingly guitar/bass guitar strings and I'm happy to buy several different $6 sets of guitar strings to find what works best, but with the cost of bass strings and a known quality issue with specifically the A string, if they care about this particular market, they need to do better.

Velvet has a reputation for occasional issues with their strings, but also have a reputation for supporting their customers when they have problems, then again, we're not 1% of their market, like we are with D'Addario.

Don't mean to rant or bash, I was genuinely disappointed and my experience is already documented here anyway.

Probably going back to either Spirocores or Jazzers with a Original Flat Chrome G. Both have worked well for me in the past in slightly different ways.

My Zyex are still fine and even-sounding after about a year ...interesting alternative to Obs. Sorry to hear your experience.

 

[BassiklyAC]

I'll second the Zyex suggestion. I've been using the lights for 3 years now and enjoy them quite a bit. @Ed Fuqua turned me on to them on the forum.

Hi Eric,
I’ve thus far only had the med. gauge Zyex on my bass and have been extremely satisfied. You’ve piqued my curiosity about the light gauge however. Wondering what your impressions were of the lights vs. mediums (if you’ve tried them) or otherwise what it is about the lights that appeals to you.

Thanks and hope you’re staying busy,
Adam

 

[HateyMcAmp]

Hey Troy,

I'm so sorry to hear you had a bad experience with our customer service department! Please let me know when this happened and who you spoke to. I'd like to send you a sample set of Zyex strings to make amends for the bad A you received. I hope you'll go into trying the strings again with open ears. Shoot us a direct message with your address info and we'll send it out ASAP.

As always, you can reach out to us with questions, comments, and complaints at [email protected].

Happy playing!

This is great that you guys are making amends and all, but how can you enable @TroyK’s addiction in good conscious?

 

[elmer]

Hi Adam,
I wonder if this is the right thread, but I´ve tried both; Zyex medium and light. On both sets I didn´t like the E which sounded unbalanced and weaker (pizz was duller) than the other strings. I didn´t like bowing E and A either. So I used only D and G with Spiros on the bottom. I like the lights better. They keep their sound very well and don´t mind taken off and puttin on again.
The mediums lost their sound quickly and on my bass they sounded plastic through the amp. I also like the bouncier tension and feel of the lights better on my bass. Surprisingly they feel quite balanced even with Spiro mittels (4/4) E and A. Lights simply sound and feel better for me.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

Hi Eric,
I’ve thus far only had the med. gauge Zyex on my bass and have been extremely satisfied. You’ve piqued my curiosity about the light gauge however. Wondering what your impressions were of the lights vs. mediums (if you’ve tried them) or otherwise what it is about the lights that appeals to you.

Thanks and hope you’re staying busy,
Adam

I'm getting a really rich tone and easy on the hands response on my basses with the lights. I've only tried the mediums on other peoples basses and I thought they seemed fine.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

Hey Troy,

I'm so sorry to hear you had a bad experience with our customer service department! Please let me know when this happened and who you spoke to. I'd like to send you a sample set of Zyex strings to make amends for the bad A you received. I hope you'll go into trying the strings again with open ears. Shoot us a direct message with your address info and we'll send it out ASAP.

As always, you can reach out to us with questions, comments, and complaints at [email protected].

Happy playing!

I had some Zyex lights on my good bass several years ago. I am always looking for a good hybrid string that’s not too heavy or dark sounding. I remember I took the Zyex off because there was a wolf tone. I’d consider giving them another try...right now I’m using Corelli again (I’m a Rabbath guy), but I think there has to be something better out there for my playing. I have tried Belcanto (great for orchestra playing but not for jazz), Superflexible (too heavy and not great), Spirocore (I love them on my plywood bass for jazz, but not on my carved bass because they don’t bow very great), Helicore Pizzicato (I was a tester of these when they first came out in 1997 or so...liked them a lot but they kept breaking...I think that has been fixed, but now I look for a string that is better for arco), Obligato (tried them on my plywood years ago...they fell apart at the bridge), and Zyex. On other people’s basses I’ve played Helicore Hybrids, Evah Pirazzi, Velvet Garbo, and Flexocor Deluxe. I usually find that strings are too tight or only good for one type of playing. I need something versatile, as I play jazz but also play orchestral, theater, and contemporary music.

 

[Francois Blais]

EP Weichs?

 

[daddarioorch631]

I had some Zyex lights on my good bass several years ago. I am always looking for a good hybrid string that’s not too heavy or dark sounding. I remember I took the Zyex off because there was a wolf tone. I’d consider giving them another try...right now I’m using Corelli again (I’m a Rabbath guy), but I think there has to be something better out there for my playing. I have tried Belcanto (great for orchestra playing but not for jazz), Superflexible (too heavy and not great), Spirocore (I love them on my plywood bass for jazz, but not on my carved bass because they don’t bow very great), Helicore Pizzicato (I was a tester of these when they first came out in 1997 or so...liked them a lot but they kept breaking...I think that has been fixed, but now I look for a string that is better for arco), Obligato (tried them on my plywood years ago...they fell apart at the bridge), and Zyex. On other people’s basses I’ve played Helicore Hybrids, Evah Pirazzi, Velvet Garbo, and Flexocor Deluxe. I usually find that strings are too tight or only good for one type of playing. I need something versatile, as I play jazz but also play orchestral, theater, and contemporary music.

Thanks, Dave! Did you ever try Zyex in medium tension? Sometimes trying the same string in a different tension can alleviate the wolf.

What did you think of the Helicore Hybrids you tried on your friend's bass?

If you have any questions or are curious about samples, you can message me here or reach out to [email protected]