BASS STRINGS
We're constantly asked about bass strings As jazz players, classical players, and period-performance players, we have personal experience with a large number of brands on a wide variety of basses. As such, we offer here four ways to assist you with selecting bass strings: detailed descriptions of the most popular strings, a chart for comparing bass string characteristics, lists of string choices by application, and our unique Bass Strings Chooser.
Ready for new bass strings? Shop on our web store.
Ready for new bass strings? Shop on our web store.
Thomastik-Infeld Vienna |
|
Bel Canto Bel Canto Rope-core strings are one of the most popular orchestral strings worldwide. They offer very rapid break-in, pleasing tone color, extremely clean articulation and string crossings, very good response, very good arco resonance and an elegant orchestral pizzicato. Bel Canto makes a really excellent solo-tuning set as well. Bel Canto strings work well on intermediate-level basses up to fine instruments, and sound best on instruments that are already good-sounding. In other words, they don't change the sound of the instrument by very much, though they can make it easier to play with a nice sound.
Spirocore Spirocore strings, widely recognized as the "reference standard," are renowned for their distinctive tone and play-ability. They feature a multi-wire spiral rope core, offering a longer period of musical vibration and significantly reduce inertia. Spirocore strings are equally effective when playing arco or pizzicato.
Superflexible Thomastik Superflexible are one of our favorite strings for all types of pizz playing. One of the oldest brands of steel strings on the market, Superflexible strings have been a staple for many, many decades, with a well-earned reputation, and we're not sure why they are less known in recent times. They share much of the character and construction of Spirocore strings: a similar core gives them a very similar tone to Spirocore, while being slightly more flexible, which translates into a lower-tension feel. They are an outstanding choice if you find Spirocore Medium to be just a bit too stiff for your bass and Spirocore Weich to be too light.
Pirastro |
|
Flexocor Deluxe Flexocor Deluxe is a remarkable addition to the Pirastro line. They are fairly high tension, with substantial volume output, and lighting-fast response. Wide frequency range. Can be very good for orchestra playing and an assist to basses that are inherently low-tension, that are quiet or slow to respond. Durable - lasting up to a year or a little more, however, on reaching obsolescence, they become tighter, brighter, and crass. Teachers should monitor their students changing these without delay to avoid regression in progress. We have seen great results with this string on both student instruments and fine basses so long as they are regularly replaced.
Original Flexocor Pirastro Original Flexocor (dark purple winding) rope core steel strings are especially suitable for arco playing. These strings offer a brilliant sound, while providing short sustain. They can be a very good solution for large or inherently dark-sounding orchestral basses.
Flexocor Warm orchestral sound with a short sustain, Flexocor strings are instantly playable, stable and provide a quick string response. Look for the burgundy silk winding.
Original Flat-Chrome Classy, sleek, and expansive - these are in essence DARK ORCHESTRAL strings. An orchestra string, less bright than most, enables more low end from the bass than many of the most popular strings. Investing in Original FlatChrome strings can bring many basses to a higher level of tone and response. They can give a significant boost to tight or less-expensive basses, and are dynamite on fine instruments.
Flat-Chromesteel The core material of these strings is a high-tensile rope made from carbon steel which is wound with chrome steel. Flat-Chromesteel bass strings have a very clear and brilliant sound, and are especially suited for arco and soloistic playing. They offer great projection and a sound that stands out from the rest.
Evah Pirazzi The Evah Pirazzi string, particularly the Weich gauge, is one of the best on the market for 'crossover' players who play both classical and jazz. Lending ample volume to the bass without adding excess tension, Evah Pirazzi strings give a flexible feel to the left hand, and an elegant sound. We also find they are popular with part-time players and those new to upright bass, as they are are easy on the left hand, and they can do wonders for basses that tend to sound closed or quiet. More is not more in this case - the Orchestra weight is substantially heavier than Weich gauge, and can put too much tension on many basses. We recommend Orchestra weight for large, dark-sounding basses.
Eudoxa Eudoxa Bass strings are a very elegant choice for both orchestral and jazz playing. Natural gut wrapped with silver wire. They feature a very quick response, lots of resonance, and a beautiful "golden" tone that's round and warm in all registers. They have a very comfortable feel to both the left and right hand once broken in. As with most gut strings, intonation can be extremely tricky in the upper register. Like most brilliant lives, they have a comparatively short lifespan and a dramatic loss of tone and sustain when they reach obsolescence.
Passione Pirastro Passione bass strings are an orchestral string that offers clean bow changes and string crossings, quick articulation, and respond nicely to a variety of bow strokes, when they are replaced frequently. They produce an even, medium tone color; as such, they are compatible with basses that naturally have a good tone and response.
Perpetual Not to be confused with "Permanent", which is a very different string. Perpetual was designed for jazz playing, but turned out to be very good for arco playing as well, so long as very precise bow placement and weight are utilized. Arco players of gut strings will find this comfortable and familiar, and these strings to be very rewarding to play. They don't produce quite as much in the very lowest frequency range as harder-core strings, but left-hand feel is very easy, and sustain is great. On reaching obsolescence at around 8 months of use, they lose some sustain, and response gets a little slower, but they don't become acutely terrible/unplayable.
Obligato A familiar, reliable jazz string for a very reasonable price - They can bring out tremendous volume and power in a bass. Very good sustain. Not recommended for arco playing.
D'addario |
|
Kaplan Kaplan strings have a medium tension feel and pretty quick bow response, while adding little or no 'color' to the tone. Like a good studio monitor, just the inherent voice of your bass comes through. They require frequent replacement.
Helicore The best-selling double bass strings from D'Addario. Made in three varieties: Orchestra, which is popular to use on school basses; well-made and pretty good tone when new, though string crossings have a tendency to scratchiness, and lifespan is short. Hybrid (our favorite), which offers a clean sound, easy feel, and a nice open ring. Pizzicato has a very nice, open sound, but they also tend to a short lifespan.
Zyex Zyex are a very good and interesting string, with the Medium gauge most commonly chosen by our bluegrass player clients. They offer lots of volume and a good pizzicato sound - similar to Obligato strings, but they seem to be more durable, which is a distinct advantage. Light gauge Zyex, newer to the market, has a very good arco response!
Prelude Prelude strings offer a nice ring and ease of playing - great for beginners, as these strings come in fractional sizes!
What strings should I get? Try our INTERACTIVE BASS STRINGS CHOOSER!!
