Double Bass The Best Hybrid Arco/Pizzicato String? Hellicore Hybrids!?

[LaFaro01]

Yeah I’m trying to do both on one bass and so far this has been the best arco/pizz string so far but I agree to do it right 2 basses with the correct setup would be best!

I use two basses... and I'm changing "permanently" strings, because I just can't decide, which strings sound and play better.. and I'm changing between Tempera Basso, Tempera Hybrid and Perpetuals... see above...

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

I never warmed up to any nylon core string with the bow. None of them had the immediate response of a good steel string. I believe that one of the best (Evah Pirazzi) suffers from this and seems to stretch just a tad when pizzed. It’s slight, but I believe it does. Perpetuals are a very good steel string that is just a bit warmer than Spirocores but I have not found anything to beat Spirocores after a bit of time. Regarding the earlier comment about a problematic A string, that can be but it’s more a problem with the bass. Spirocores get a bass moving and will reveal the true character of the instrument. If they don’t work on a particular instrument, fine…..move on to something that does. A soundpost adjustment MAY help.
Helicore Hybrids are a lighter gauge string than S42 Spirocore Mittels and have a thinner, brighter tone without the low end power. They are more comparable to Spirocore weich. They are cheaper and don’t last as long. Some people love them so what do I know?

 

[Bruce Calin]

I recently had a chance to play a bass similar in age, size, and construction to my own. It had Spiros several years old. It reminded me how my bass sounded and felt years ago when I had a similar type of string and setup, and why I prefer what I have now. The other bassist also played my bass and it was fun and interesting to hear mine from a listener's standpoint. I enjoyed playing this other instrument but realized why I prefer what I have now: less effort for good sound and volume, a less "metallic" tone, and more comfort playing for a longer period of time, which is important to me now. It was fun to play this bass, I didn't not like it, but am glad I have what I have, which is Tempera Hybrids with fairly low string height. I'm able to do both arco and pizz comfortably without any setup issues.

 

[AGCurry]

I use two basses... and I'm changing "permanently" strings, because I just can't decide, which strings sound and play better.. and I'm changing between Tempera Basso, Tempera Hybrid and Perpetuals... see above...

You've used both Tempera Hybrid and Tempera Basso. Question: Are they Hybrids significantly better for pizz than the Bassos? My "orchestra bass" is strung with Bassos, and it does pretty well for jazz pizz. Just wondering if the Hybrids are that much better.

 

[LaFaro01]

You've used both Tempera Hybrid and Tempera Basso. Question: Are they Hybrids significantly better for pizz than the Bassos? My "orchestra bass" is strung with Bassos, and it does pretty well for jazz pizz. Just wondering if the Hybrids are that much better.

I really understand, if you like the pizz sound of the Bassos.. so do I... I wouldn't say, that the Hybrids sound better.. they sound different in some way... more in a "modern" way with more sustain and growl... the Bassos sound more in an "old-fashioned" gut-string-like way, but not "worse"... the pizz-sound of the Hybrids on my basses is in some way between the Bassos on one side and the Perpetuals on the other.. that's one reason, why it is so difficult to decide finally...

 

[Jmilitsc]

I really understand, if you like the pizz sound of the Bassos.. so do I... I wouldn't say, that the Hybrids sound better.. they sound different in some way... more in a "modern" way with more sustain and growl... the Bassos sound more in an "old-fashioned" gut-string-like way, but not "worse"... the pizz-sound of the Hybrids on my basses is in some way between the Bassos on one side and the Perpetuals on the other.. that's one reason, why it is so difficult to decide finally...

I’d agree with that - i have hybrids on my ply “jazz” bass and bassos on my carved “orchestra” bass with long E/C. They’re well matched for those purposes on each of those basses, bringing lots of character out. The bassos would probably be a bit dull on the ply, and even on the carved they are slightly darker than I’d prefer for jazz pizz. If I played a lot of jazz on that bass I’d be inclined to do hybrids there too.

They both are wonderful for arco on both basses too right now.