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Double Bass Superflexible 3/4?

jsf729

jsf729

Dec 12, 2014
522
467
70
Central Maryland
#1
Hello and Happy Holidays to all on TB. New string time for me and my Kay. Currently settled on TI Superflexible after buying a used pair on classifieds. For blues and jazz pizz I like the sound and feel that I get. The set is the 4/4 (42 series). I was concerned that the silks ( especially the A) are almost at the bridge but was told that it is not an issue. Mensur is 41.75". Anyway, I want to put more of an emphasis on arco - without giving up the pizz sound of the string that I like. So I want a string with a little less tension so that I can get the string going a little easier since my arco chops are way down. First I thought about getting the same set in solo and tuning to orchestra. I simulated the feel by detuning my current set by a half step. The bass seems to like the lower tension but the tension is a little too low for pizz for my liking. Looking at the TI catalog, it seems as if the 3/4 (2887.0) set would be a good bet tension wise. Problem is , nobody stocks them (could probably order them of course) which leads me to the question -why? Probably going to pull the trigger anyway, but would appreciate thoughts/ feedback. Thanks!
 
#2
If anything the 3/4 strings will give you more tension. That what I've always understood. Coming from spirocores the tension of the 3/4 spirocores are a bit higher than the tension of the 4/4 spirocores. If you want lower tension than the superflexables, but more than solo tuning you may need a different string.

Also side note: does lower tension mean quicker bow response? I assumed the opposite.
 
#4
Francois Blais said:
Maybe get some Corellis?
Click to expand...
Yes Francois, have given them some consideration. I tried them a long time ago, but on a carved bass. Can't remember the gauge, but I know that they run "lite" relative to other manufacturers. I used Helicore hybrids for years, but they didn't last very long, plus didn't care for arco response although probably more my technique than the string. TI strings have a reputation for lasting long.
 
#5
Sam Dingle said:
If anything the 3/4 strings will give you more tension. That what I've always understood. Coming from spirocores the tension of the 3/4 spirocores are a bit higher than the tension of the 4/4 spirocores. If you want lower tension than the superflexables, but more than solo tuning you may need a different string.

Also side note: does lower tension mean quicker bow response? I assumed the opposite.
Click to expand...
According to TI catalog, the 4/4 set runs 70.6- 75.0. The 3/4 set runs 62.8-70.6. All the orchestral grade strings that I have tried (not many, but enough) have had less tension that a "pizz" string, so I am assuming that it takes less effort to get the string to move under the bow
 
#7
Francois Blais said:
The tension for the 4/4 set is measured with 110 cm scale.
If you put them on a 104 cm scale instrument, you'll get less tension, and moreover, probably less than the 3/4 size set.
Click to expand...
AHH- Never thought about that. Great point. Well, back to the rabbit hole I go. May have to look into the Corellis that you recommended. I hear that they are "easy on the hands" for us 60 Y.O. guys...
 
#11
DoubleMIDI said:
Have a look at my dropbox files. There you find an Excel file with recalculated tensions for a user given scale for strings where manufacturers publish tension and scale data.

Also other useful string stuff there:
Dropbox - Talkbass
Click to expand...
Thanks DM! Wow, that is quite alot of usable info. Really helped me focus in on what strings to consider. I am sure that I'll be revisiting that table often!
 
#13
I have had the Thomastik medium Superflexibles on my bass. Really great string but I hated the D string. That D is way to thick and has way too much tension compared to the other strings. It is almost as thick as the A string. A string is 079 and D is 074! That sucks! and I don't understand why that is. It would have been the perfect steel string set for me if only the D was right.
 
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#15
Francois Blais said:
I had a 3/4 set about a year ago, and the D had a "normal" thickness.
They must have redesigned the set for shorter scale.
Click to expand...

Not sure. These are the specs from the Gollihur website. I had the strings about three years ago or so. Don't know if they changed it after that? would be good to know since I liked the rest of the set. It doesn't say on the website whether these specs are for 4/4/ or 3/4:
Invalid Link Removed
 
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#16
Les Fret said:
I have had the Thomastik medium Superflexibles on my bass. Really great string but I hated the D string. That D is way to thick and has way too much tension compared to the other strings. It is almost as thick as the A string. A string is 079 and D is 074! That sucks! and I don't understand why that is. It would have been the perfect steel string set for me if only the D was right.
Click to expand...
It seems that T-I may have adjusted the D string in recent years.
 
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#19
Les Fret said:
Can someone conform this? where can I find the (new?) specs? The Gollihur website has the specs as I mentioned: 074 for the D and 079 for the A. In that case the D is very thick.
Click to expand...

I just took a brand new set received within the past month and dropped a digital caliper on the D string. It comes up .0745.
Likewise, the A showed .0790.

In 12+ years, I've not heard anything about Thomastik changing the tension, gauge, or formulation of the Superflexibles.

So, the measurements on my site are still valid. Maybe it was a mistake of packaging or manufacture at the factory? Does the tension feel "right-ish" when at pitch? Did you measure the string with a caliper?

Where did you get the strings from? Perhaps it's not a genuine Thomastik? (If you got it from me, I can verify that it is; I only buy Thomastiks at the one authorized US distributor.)

Very curious.
 

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