Double Bass Seeking steel core strings that bow easily

[Pjotor]

Been searching TB and other places but didn't really find any good answers, so here goes.

I seek new strings for my 3/4 Chadwick folding hybrid bass. The strings absolutely must have a steel core or they will die too quickly on me.

I'm practising a lot with the bow and find the current set of Spiro Mittels too hard to bow, while my now defunct Polychromes responded great to bowing. Spiro Weich sound a bit thin on my bass.

• Some pizz sustain is needed but it doesn't have to be Spirocore long.
  
• Should be easy to bow but doesn't have to sound particularly pleasing as I bow almost exclusively for practise.
• My bass responds well to heavier and stiffer strings, and I'm prepared to put in the work needed to get my hands strong enough.
• I prefer a big and fat tone for pizz to cut through noisy jams.

I've looked at Spirocore Stark, Pirastro Flexocor and D'Addario Kaplans, but I'm sure there are many others and I need help to narrow it all down. Hive mind of TB, please help.

 

[Don Hergert]

Have you tried Pirastro Perpetual strings? They are getting good reviews by many, often compared to Spiros.

Thread: New! Pirastro Perpetual Double Bass strings

 

[Selim]

Flexocor Deluxes might fit the bill. They pizz slightly on the stiff side with more “thunk” than growl (although they do growl some). And they are an excellent arco string, of course.

 

[Selim]

Have you tried Pirastro Perpetual strings? They are getting good reviews by many, often compared to Spiros.

Thread: New! Pirastro Perpetual Double Bass strings

As the OP’s bass responds better to stiffer, heavier strings, the Perps might be too soft.

Nice dual purpose string tho.

 

[Selim]

Polychromes responded great to bowing

Why not a new set?

 

[Pjotor]

Why not a new set?

Unfortunately the Polychromes died pretty quickly after a few folds and unfolds. They became very dark and the tonal character all but disappeared. That's why I'm looking specifically for strings with a steel core since they last much, much longer on my Chadwick.

 

[Kaspar Vadsholt]

In case your speaking of S42W: Have you tried the weich 3885 (3/4)? To me, they bow like a champ, while still having some meat to the pizz tone.

 

[Sam Dingle]

Superflexible after they are broken in are ok.

 

[Pat Harris]

If you're breaking down and assembling the Chadwick regularly, I haven't found a string that does it better in terms of tonal quality and durability than a Spirocore Mittel (S42) on that particular instrument. If the Mittels are too difficult to bow (squeaking? overtones? not able to get a note started?), knowing nothing about you or your technique, I'd say that you should focus more on your bow technique than the string. They are an unforgiving string, but they are amazing strings, especially if you're gigging mostly pizz and need to drive a band.

 

[BarfanyShart]

+1 for Spirocore Mittels, although I haven't tried most of t he other strings that have been recomended here. Starks are great, and some basses really respond to them in an incredible way, but I feel like moving to Starks requires a mini-revamp of your whole approach to setup and technique, and I personally wouldn't want to be doing a lot of pizz styles on starks. YMMV.

 

[Rama Temmink]

Spirocore Starks is what I have on my bass.
Check out the latest posts in the Starks thread by Chris Fitzgerald for audio examples.

 

[Pjotor]

In case your speaking of S42W: Have you tried the weich 3885 (3/4)? To me, they bow like a champ, while still having some meat to the pizz tone.

Tried them and used them for a good while. Felt nice but lacked a bit of oomph. My bass sounds better with meatier strings.

 

[Pjotor]

Thanks for all your kind input!

I've kinda narrowed it down to
- Spirocore Stark
- Spirocore Mittel
- Flexocor Deluxe
- Pirastro Perpetual
- Superflexible

I admit I'm more than a little tempted by the Stark side (pun very much intended). But I also hear and appreciate the message from @BarfanyShart about revisiting bowing technique instead.

I would appreciate more comments on these or other strings. I'm open to mixing strings of different types if it makes things better.

 

[Sean Riddle]

Also add Spiro Weich to your list. They’re the easiest of the Spiro family to bow and once broken in they have a shorter sustain than Mittels. Plus they are just as indestructible as Mittels.
Although I will say I use S42 Mittels now and find them just as easy to bow as Weichs. They’re just a bit more bright and airy sound wise, but black horse hair and a sticky rosin helps combat any difficulties with bowing them.

 

[Don Hergert]

Speaking as a relative outsider who never uses metal core or metal-wrapped strings, but who carefully watches string related threads...

It seems like almost everyone eventually goes back to Spiros, at least partially, at least for a while.

Just sayin'...

 

[Sam Dingle]

Thanks for all your kind input!

I've kinda narrowed it down to
- Spirocore Stark
- Spirocore Mittel
- Flexocor Deluxe
- Pirastro Perpetual
- Superflexible

I admit I'm more than a little tempted by the Stark side (pun very much intended). But I also hear and appreciate the message from @BarfanyShart about revisiting bowing technique instead.

I would appreciate more comments on these or other strings. I'm open to mixing strings of different types if it makes things better.

I think sticking with your spiro mittles will be best because if you buy a new set of starks or superflexible you'll need to make them die down for at least 6 months. If perpetuals could work for you I think they sound better under the bow quicker.

Stick to spiro mittles and hit the practice room

 

[PBandJazzBass]

I'll throw in a suggestion for the Helicore Hybrids, perhaps the heavy tension. I'm in the minority on here but I think they're underrated strings. That being said, the Spiro S42 Mittels (is there an echo in here?) are a solid option IF you like the sound you get with them.

 

[Pjotor]

The other day I bought an unused German bow for a bargain price (been playing French so far). I've also cleaned the strings thoroughly with a copper sponge. I'm getting better results already from my current Mittels and I think it's a combination of new hair and cleaner strings.

I'm gonna work on the current Mittels and new bowing technique for a while now. German bowing the E string is awkward but it feels great on all other strings. I'd still like to give Starks a shot but that will be for later.

BTW I'm selling a set of unused Polychromes because they can't handle frequent folding/unfolding but they are otherwise one of the best hybrid strings I've played.

 

[Kai Sanchez]

Spirocore Weichs 3/4

 

[Pjotor]

Spirocore Weichs 3/4

Hi Kai, I appreciate the videos – mighty fine playing I say!

I recently moved from Weichs (with Mittel E) to all Mittels because the bass responds much better to them, with more volume. Bluegrass jams are noisy affairs and I want more thump than the Weichs provide.

This said, I would probably stick to the Weichs if I did more orchestra bowing. They respond to bowing very nicely.