Aquilastrings Flatwound ABG String set (Copper flats on Bioplastic 'Sugar' core)

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Karl Kaminski

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Aug 26, 2008
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#1
Appearently Aquilastrings has a new offering for those of us that are looking for a supple flat ABG string. For me 'the battle' is finding the right combination of Volume/Tone/Feel. I want to try these along side: TI AcoutiCore JR, Dogal Helloborg, Fisoma F2716. Also curious how the copper wrap will be on fretted ABG.



I commend them for having the video include a sample without the amp. And I like that the piezo sound has a smooth transient.:thumbsup:
 
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#2
Karl Kaminski said:
Appearently Aquilastrings has a new offering for those of us that are looking for a supple flat ABG string. For me 'the battle' is finding the right combination of Volume/Tone/Feel. I want to try these along side: TI AcoutiCore JR, Dogal Helloborg, Fisoma F2716. Also curious how the copper wrap will be on fretted ABG. I commend them for having the video include a sample without the amp. And I like that the piezo sound has a smooth transient.
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Mimmo, head of Aquila, posted that they're going to release these for bass ukes too. I now only use Kala/Galli flatwound nylon core on my base ukes, so I'm waiting to get a set of these to test them out.
 
#4
In the vid description they say..
"instead, these cores are made with a bioplastic monofilament that comes from the sugar cane plant whose nickname is 'sugar'."​
Interesting, I imagine the response will be similar to nylon core (vs a metal core).
 
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#5
Nice tone, but they really should've tuned up better and given this dude a fretted bass to try them out on. His intonation leaves a lot to be desired and doesn't do the strings any favors, as I'm left wondering if these are going to go through the same long stretching period that most plastic/rubber bass strings go through.

I'm also curious to hear a head-to-head unplugged comparison of a variety of strings on an average ABG playing together with an acoustic guitar to hear how different strings affect the audibility of an ABG.
 
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#6
Im not too concerned by others playing style (or ability). LOL I can't think of anything that ive played perfect :roflmao:

In terms of volume, I can only have high-hopes, but would imagine they'll be like most all ABG strings.. very few (if any?) hold up against several guitars in campfire jams. Probably the loudest Ive played are the DR Rare, but they're not the sound/feel Im looking for, let alone the incredible string noise.

Im very curious about the copper vs bronze. The LaBElla Gold flats are loud but dark for my needs, curious how these will play on a fretted bass.
 
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#7
J Posega said:
Nice tone, but they really should've tuned up better and given this dude a fretted bass to try them out on. His intonation leaves a lot to be desired and doesn't do the strings any favors, as I'm left wondering if these are going to go through the same long stretching period that most plastic/rubber bass strings go through.’

I would like to answer to these questions: we are in front to a new bioplastic: nothing to do with rubbers and nylon multifilaments. I means that this is a solid monofilament; they stretch just a bit more than those with steel cores.
It is not a professional video with a professional player and unfortunately a fretless bass only was available. So the intonation is erratic.
I hope to have answered to these right questions
Mimmo
Click to expand...
 
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#8
J Posega said:
...as I'm left wondering if these are going to go through the same long stretching period that most plastic/rubber bass strings go through.
Click to expand...
The Kala/Galli flats with nylon core I use settle in much faster than the poly I used to use.

Karl Kaminski said:
In terms of volume, I can only have high-hopes, but would imagine they'll be like most all ABG strings.. very few (if any?) hold up against several guitars in campfire jams. Probably the loudest Ive played are the DR Rare, but they're not the sound/feel Im looking for, let alone the incredible string noise.
Click to expand...
I know it's a thing, but I would never play an acoustic bass (uke in my case) without an amp. I have a little battery Blackstar Fly3 Bass Duo that I bring to a group of acoustic guitar players in a park from time to time, works great in that circumstance.
 
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#12
Oops sorry... as HaphasSard said forum abbreviation for Acoustic Bass Guitar. I throw them around like alphabet soup... EB electric Bass, DB double bass, and for brands too TI Thomastik-INfeld, LaB Labella, etc etc etc :roflmao:
 
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#13
Karl Kaminski said:
In the vid description they say..
"instead, these cores are made with a bioplastic monofilament that comes from the sugar cane plant whose nickname is 'sugar'."​
Interesting, I imagine the response will be similar to nylon core (vs a metal core).
Click to expand...

no, the response is a lot better. sugar bio plastic has 24% more sustain and 18 more power on Jule that fluorocarbon strings (our acoustic laboratory measures). here is for example how perform sugar trebles on a guitar :
 
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#20
The search is a fun one. Different ABGs respond differently to different strings. Am I in trouble with my English teacher?

Martin strings can sound perfect on a Martin bass, very dry on a predominately maple bass and are absolutely perfect on a Taylor AB-2. The dryness complements the oily dark tone so the strings sound rich and warm. Besides that YMMV.:) That same bass is loud and projects well with the Martins. With LaBella tapes it is way in upright territory.

I wouldn’t give up on a bass or strings but over decades be prepared to find what is ideal. Poor on one bass and outstanding on another. :)
 
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