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Orchestra string sound?

Do you mean "realistic" or just something that resembles that sound?

If you want the bass to sound like a real string section you'll have to go MIDI.

If you want just a "fuller" sound (that sounds more like an organ than a string section), you might like The EHX POG 2 or the HOG...
 
A volume pedal would be a good start. If you're planning on holding out long tones, using the vp to help the note "bloom" after it's been initially played will get you a little bit of a faux-string sound. You can also do this with your volume knob on the bass, but I've found it's easier with the pedal.
 
I know in context it's a terrible response, but I do the full Geddy and have an old Motif6 and an Alesis Ion. The thing that best gives you synth and string sounds is a synth. There are lots of cheap ones out there that you can plug right into your PA.
 
Here's one I did with my Axe-FX from a preset someone made:

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And a couple individual string sounds:

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Apologies for the crappy crackling.
 
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