Double Bass Orchestral bass strings

[Anton Avis]

Hi, I've recently bought a double bass for use in orchestras but it is currently set up for jazz. Which strings are high quality for an orchestral setting? I don't really want hybrid strings, I just want high quality orchestral strings. What would you recommend?

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Thomastik Bel Cantos seem to be the popular legit string. Flexocors and Kaplans are also excellent. What does the rest of the section use?

 

[Sam Dingle]

I've heard it said before: spirocore flexocore or gut. If I had an orchestra bass I'd set it up with flexocore deluxe or flexocore 92. If you have a C extension or want to get one I've been told that flex deluxe with a broken in Sprio medium C/E string is preferd.

 

[Sam Dingle]

Principle bassist in the Louisiana philharmonic uses Belcanto D and G (never more than a year old) spirocore A (2 years old last time I checked and not planning on changing) and a long Superflexable C/E.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I've heard it said before: spirocore flexocore or gut.

That was me, stealing a line from Ken Smith.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

I've heard it said before: spirocore flexocore or gut.

We've all heard it, but how many of us followed it?

- Steve

 

[Anton Avis]

Thomastik Bel Cantos seem to be the popular legit string. Flexocors and Kaplans are also excellent. What does the rest of the section use?

I'm actually playing in a youth orchestra. Most of the section are loaning basses from the county music service.

 

[paulunger]

Top "orchestral" bass strings would be: Flexocor, Passione, Bel Cantos and Kaplans.
After that, some players still like the older Original Flexors and Original Flat Chromesteel strings.
Flexocor Deluxe and Permanents are brighter and more of a hybrid string. IMHO they don't bow quite as easily as the above strings but they are still excellent strings.
Helicore are an okay student level orchestral string.
Hope that helps.

 

[the_Ryan]

We've all heard it, but how many of us followed it?

- Steve

I do!

I use spiros for everything in orchestra tuning these days.

 

[Silevesq]

What are the strings on it? And what do you mean by jazz set up?
I know plenty of people including myself that do both with the same set up.

 

[Neil Pye]

My new set of Kaplan lights are just settled in nicely and I'm a big fan. They suit my bass very very well, but it is very much horses for courses

 

[LouisF]

I've gone through most of the above, and in my advancing old age I've become a big fan of Jargars - the fortes can make the floor shake, the Dolces are easy on the left hand (and tunable to solo pitch) and the medium have a good mix of both. Not a pizz string however.

 

[salcott]

I've recently switched from Flex Deluxe to Passiones and am very pleased; the G string specially has more body, and they are definitely easier to bow.

 

[csrund]

Personally, I think Helicore Orchestrals are highly underrated, and the price is right for non-professional players. My bass is set up with Belcantos on the G-D-A, and Helicore Orchestrals on the E-B. Helicores opened up the bottom end of the instrument dramatically and match the voice of the Belcantos on the mid/high side. I have a four-string with an extended E/C with Helicores top-to-bottom, and they're very even and equally responsive on that bass.

 

[elmer]

Flexocor Deluxes are great but they had a bit too much tension on my classical bass with longer mensur. I wanted something still warmer and darker with less hybrid qualities. A strict arco string! So "me too" changed to Pirastro Passiones.
Regulars were too quiet but the starks are great! They have less tension than Flex dlx and are as easy as it can get with the bow. Only Kaplans were as easy to bow but compared to Passiones they sounded dull and colourless like did the Belcantos too.
I have also tried "the old stuff" like regular Flexocor, other Pirastros and Jargar fortes (weaker and brighter than Passiones on my bass) and I´m happy to hear that manufacturers have really managed to develop their products.
Speaking of the old stuff - I also like Passiones pizz tone which is very "old school" with higher string heights