Double Bass Perlon v. Synlon?

[LouisF]

I think "synlon" was the predecessor of "perlon" for synthetic strings (and maybe tennis racquets, too). Anybody if it was any good? I found an old string (don't ask) from the 1970s (I guess) made of "synlon" but I'm actually afraid to string it on! Yikes!!

 

[Francois Blais]

I may be wrong, but I think it’s the same thing.

 

[LouisF]

That's what I thought, too, mon vieux!

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Perlon and Nylon is the same, only a different marketing name.
Never heard about Synlon before.

 

[LouisF]

The string is a REALLY old Sensicore G string (in a very fade blue envelope)

 

[Francois Blais]

It has a huge mono-filament core?
Probably with an aluminium wrap?

 

[LouisF]

Aluminum or some sort of "chrome". Looks that way

 

[TroyK]

Put it on there!

 

[birgedb]

Yeah you piqued all the bass nerds interest now… I’d like to know how it does strung up too.

 

[LouisF]

You mean other than EXPLODE???
OK, Ok, OK ...maybe.... next week.

 

[AGCurry]

You mean other than EXPLODE???
OK, Ok, OK ...maybe.... next week.

C'mon, Louis, what's the worst that could happen? You've lived without that string for ... decades?

We only *wish* that plastic would degrade...

 

[DoubleMIDI]

If it is decades old, the synthetic material in the core might have degraded over time. So the string might (!) break.
But the Sensicore are so low tension, that I think it won‘t happen immediately.

 

[LouisF]

DM: Define "immediately" - Ha!

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Immediately: during tuning up to pitch or a short time (read hours) after the tuning up to pitch.

 

[LouisF]

I've taken my synlon string-changing suit out of the locker (attached)

 

[Francois Blais]

LOL!!,

 

[DoubleMIDI]

I've taken my synlon string-changing suit out of the locker (attached)

Remember that the string may hold for some hours, so better use the suit while playing too!

 

[LouisF]

HA!

 

[Francois Blais]

And please don’t forget the safety glasses!

 

[LouisF]

So --- given all the safety requirements above - I put the string on a laminate Upton bass that was strung with (old version) Kolstein Heritage strings.

The string went on fairly quickly, was pretty rubber-band spongy and took a day (relief!) to stay more or less in tune (I cranked it up VERY slowly).

It's the OLD Sensicore formula, so it sounds kind of "gutty" when pizzed, and warm and unfocused when bowed. It was not quite as loud as the Heritage strings, but actually warmer and with less tension. I don't remember a big difference between the "old" Sensicores (in the blue package) and the "new" ones in the yellow envelopes. Maybe they were a little louder and more bow friendly.

I don't know why GHS, who bought Super-Sensitive, doesn't revive the Sensicore line. I always considered them the "poor man's Dominants" and think they might sound better than the Heritage, give a full set made in this century!

I'm suiting up tomorrow to take the string off. Interesting experiment, but I'd rather not live with it.
Thanks, all.