Double Bass What's your fave string for purely orchestral playing?

[b1644]

What are your preferred strings for purely orchestral playing?

My personal favourites in order from most preferred to least are... Bel Canto, Pirastro Flexo Deluxo, Pirastro Evah Pirazzi, Pirastro Passione, Pirastro Obligato.

My orchestra bass is a 1957 Alfred Meyer 7/8, 41-1/4" mensur, with a C extension. I currently have a fairly recent set of Deluxes on it but I *think* I want to go back to Bel Cantos... but I'm open to suggestions.


- Martin

 

[John Stephen]

I didn't play orchestrally very long, but when I did, I liked the Thomastik Superflexibles the most, of the strings I had tried (which, as I recall, included Spirocores, Corellis, and Obligatos.

 

[Bruce Calin]

I played Superflexibles for all of my work, including orchestra, for many years. They were the ideal string. I had tried others but they were what worked for me. The issue became the fact that they are also among some of the stiffest strings around. My aging body needed something easier if I wanted to keep playing, which I do. I now use Tempera Hybrids, which are doing the job.

 

[Oscar Yanez]

I am going through a string experimentation phase right now. So far, my favorites have been the Flexocor lineup and Belcantos, always paired with a Spirocore medium E.

The Belcantos can literally take anything, which is something I have enjoyed. The Flexocor 92s have a nice, dark, punchy sound on my bass, however. Next year, I am either going to try the Peter Infeld strings or just have Spirocores all the way across.

 

[Lee Moses]

I have Flexocor 92s on right now, and I like them fine. But my personal favorite would have to be Kaplan mediums.

 

[SAlcott]

After several years futzing around and a not inconsiderable amount of financial outlay, my conclusion is that Bel Cantos are the best string for my main orchestra bass. I might put a Permanent E/C on it after a few rehearsals in the fall, but it's BCs for now. If I had a really old dark Italian or English bass, I'd go for Original Flexocor with (maybe) a Superflexible E/C.

 

[LaFaro01]

Tempera Bassos!

 

[AGCurry]

Oh gee... Every bass seems to have its own preferences... not to mention every player.

My 1957 German shop bass wore Original Flat Chromes for a few months. Those are great strings. Then, I installed a set of Tempera Bassos that were taken off another bass in the past. Those are great strings. Recently, I found I had difficulty with quick short strokes. I put on a Passione Stark G (and now D). Those are great strings. I have Superflexible Solo strings waiting to replace the Tempera E and A. I'm hoping those will be great strings.

 

[Earl]

I played Superflexibles for all of my work, including orchestra, for many years. They were the ideal string. I had tried others but they were what worked for me. The issue became the fact that they are also among some of the stiffest strings around. My aging body needed something easier if I wanted to keep playing, which I do. I now use Tempera Hybrids, which are doing the job.

The Superflexible Solos tuned to orchestra are the poor man’s Temperas.

 

[Bruce Calin]

The Superflexible Solos tuned to orchestra are the poor man’s Temperas.

This gives me something to think about. The THs are supposed to last a long time, but if I needed to replace them I would consider this option. I'll check to see if the SF solos have a long E option. Thanks for the tip, Earl.

 

[Ric Vice]

Based on what I know now I'd probably try out the new Peter Infeld Tomasticks. Actually, in their original
incarnation Thomastick Spirocores were developed as a Orchestral string. The fact that they're kind of exclusively
a jazz bassist string came later. Go figure.

 

[Brandon Dong]

Anyone have experience with belcanto GDA and a spiro 3885 E? I'm debating between the weich and the mittel 3885. I want something that's feels close to belcanto but with a little more tension than the belcanto E for a beefier low end. My bass has a 41.5 in string length

 

[AGCurry]

Anyone have experience with belcanto GDA and a spiro 3885 E? I'm debating between the weich and the mittel 3885. I want something that's feels close to belcanto but with a little more tension than the belcanto E for a beefier low end. My bass has a 41.5 in string length

Based on my experience, the weich Spirocore will feel closer to Bel Canto.

 

[elmer]

Anyone have experience with belcanto GDA and a spiro 3885 E? I'm debating between the weich and the mittel 3885. I want something that's feels close to belcanto but with a little more tension than the belcanto E for a beefier low end. My bass has a 41.5 in string length

Or perhaps you could try S42 Spiro mittel or weich. They have less tension on your 3/4 mensur than the 3885s.

 

[Brandon Dong]

Based on my experience, the weich Spirocore will feel closer to Bel Canto.

That's what I was thinking too, do you have experience with the 3885 mittel? I'm wondering if it would feel out of place with the belcantos

 

[AGCurry]

That's what I was thinking too, do you have experience with the 3885 mittel? I'm wondering if it would feel out of place with the belcantos

Yes, and for me, the 3885 mittel feels way different - much tenser - from Belcantos.

 

[SAlcott]

Anyone have experience with belcanto GDA and a spiro 3885 E? I'm debating between the weich and the mittel 3885. I want something that's feels close to belcanto but with a little more tension than the belcanto E for a beefier low end. My bass has a 41.5 in string length

I'm liking a well-broken in PermanentnE/C with Bel Canto ADG.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

Just an observation, but a lot of orchestral bassists I see and/or know personally are using mixed sets nowadays. Though, to be fair, it seems to be becoming more common on the jazz side as well.

One member of The Columbus Symphony had all 4 strings from different sets on her bass the last time I saw them perform.

 

[stefaniw80401]

Just an observation, but a lot of orchestral bassists I see and/or know personally are using mixed sets nowadays. Though, to be fair, it seems to be becoming more common on the jazz side as well.

One member of The Columbus Symphony had all 4 strings from different sets on her bass the last time I saw them perform.

Yeah, I saw this same thing on a friend's bass. He was working on his PhD at CU Boulder. I don't remember what those strings were. The concept is to use the best single string on your bass. Now, would they match well? IDK.

Here's an example of what my dream set might be like:
G - Olive
D - still searching
A - OG flexocore
E - 3885W

 

[Brandon Dong]

Yes, and for me, the 3885 mittel feels way different - much tenser - from Belcantos.

I already liked the 3885w E so this is validation to just get another! Thanks!