In this article, I would like to talk about a particular subject: the strings, with their expressive and timbre features and their use according to the needs of the player. The choice of strings is very important for a number of reasons: it enhances the instrument, makes studying easier since the right hand's work is lighter, thanks to an immediate emission and the left hand's work is also lighter (less pressure) and so on. To sum up, the choice of the best strings helps in developing a relationship with a more enjoyable and less frustrating instrument. The double bass has traditionally been considered as an ungrateful instrument. Nevertheless, one could create the conditions to make it work better. With the right strings it will probably show itself to be more user-friendly!
These ideas are at the basis of the experience we are going to tell you about.
It all started with the interest of a student of mine aimed at improving his double bass: his curiosity led him to test various kinds of strings. First the traditional ones, then the more advanced models until up the most recent creations.
The name of our researcher is Amin Zarrinchang, he is attending the two-year course for the second grade qualification at the Conservatoire "G. Rossini" in Pesaro (Central Italy). My task was only to encourage him in his research and to give my suggestions.
I would like to point out that the strings tested are many more than the ones described here. We had to make a selection of them for this article, in order to make it not too long. These strings are the ones most used among double bass players and reliably represent current trends.
In conclusions let me clarify that neither Amin nor I have any business relations with string producers. This article is the fruit of an autonomous work for the benefit of all double bass players. Nevertheless, I recently had a bad experience with a firm that, in my point of view, does not really care about its clients… I will soon let you know how it ended but what a strange way to promote oneself!. These strings are so expensive that proper technical service would be the least one could expect. If you have also had misadventures of this kind please send us your experiences through the magazine or the forum. They will be useful in the future. Now, over to Amin who is ready to illustrate some delicious information string by string. Enjoy it!
Alfredo Trebbi
Short prelude
The following article does not have the presumption to contain absolute truths.
The assessment of a string requires the musician to have a number of necessary personal parameters, which are not standard, including the type of instrument, the way of playing (light and agile, sturdy and solid…), his/her personal tastes and so on.
Nonetheless many strings have a number of objective and evident features (their make, materials, tension, calibre...) that can appear in different measures, instrument by instrument. In any case, they are technically different among themselves.
In order to guarantee a more realistic description of the various products, I have restricted my research to those strings I was able to test throughout time not only on my own instrument, but also on double-basses of friends and colleagues, by using different bows, in order to avoid a biased opinion bound to the features of my own instruments.
Lastly, even the "bow variable" has its own influence on the final result, though it is not a determining aspect. A heavy bow, pushing strongly against the string is not able to work at its best on thin strings and/or with poor tension. Similarly, a very light and quick bow may not work properly on strings with a wider diameter and higher tension. Not to mention the timbre combinations between bow and strings that may manipulate personal judgement.
My work is the fruit of my vital love for Our Beloved Instrument and Maestro Trebbi's enthusiastic support. The subject of strings is one of my favourite. Nevertheless, I tried, as far as possible, to isolate my personal variables and to focus on the string itself. This is the reason why the strings mentioned are only some of those that I was able to test in different timbre-acoustic situations.
The strings are all tested at their orchestra tuning.
When evaluating the parameters, I beg you to consider, using common sense, the most standard conditions possible.
Let us assume that our double-bass player, namely X, plays every day, for a standard number of hours and that he is averagely competent and experienced...
In choosing the strings I also tried to use types that were different in nature and in manufacture, thus offering a diverse and representative picture of the current market.
Many products necessarily had to be excluded from the final result.
The strings reviewed are:
Corelli 370 tx
Velvet Compas180 suit
Thomastik Belcanto
Pirastro Obligato
Pirastro Original Flat.
In the hope that this might be a useful contribution to our great double-bass community, regards to all or, to put it in an Italian way, an Abbraccione…. or even better …an Arpeggione!
I am at anyone’s disposal for any objection, discussion and suggestion.
Corelli 370 tx
Velvet Compas 180suit
Thomastik Belcanto
Pirastro Obligato
Pirastro Orig. Flat.
Tension Grade
Declared:
G – 25.9 kg
D - 27,3 kg
A- 28,65 kg
E- 28 kg
Low tension.
Declared:
Orchestra: 23kg per string.
Solo: 29 kg per string.
Very low and uniform tension.
Declared:
G – 28,25 kg
D- 28,75 kg
A- 29,25 kg
E- 28,75 kg.
Medium low tension.
Declared:
G – 28,4 kg
D – 28,1 kg
A – 28,3 kg
E - 27,8 kg
Medium low tension.
Not declared.Medium/high tension.
Vibratio response
Excellent. Exceptionally ready, also thanks to their small diameter and low tension.
Excellent, rewarding, difficult not to make them vibrate. The string's spindle is very wide… don’t keep the bridges too low!
Very good. The string vibrates properly. Although easy, it needs more weight, due to the diameter and the mass (more than the Corellis and similar...)
Very good. The string's spindle is wide. The string itself is soft enough, with no resistance, though its diameter is particularly large...
It is necessary to know how to make it vibrate. It is not one of the most immediate or easy. It needs weight on the bow, due to the tension being not very low and the diameter.
Bow Stimulation
Response
Practically immediate. Extremely sensitive to stimulation, both positive and negative
(you must be able to control them, otherwise you will need to get used to thin whistles and background noises…)
Ready, very easy to put into vibration. Easily controllable (they have more mass than the Corellis 370tx).
Excellent control even in the ppp.
Very good, not only in the rapidity of response (which is good anyway), but in the ease of control. Beautiful dynamics excursion (from ppp to fff), though they are at their best in the fff. Silent: only plays what one has intentionally put it into vibration. Practically impossible to make it whistle.
Good. The string resounds well, though it does not appear particularly rapid in the response, probably due to its mass. It is not a "quick" string…
These are strings with a good expressive potential, but need to be found and controlled, especially in the ppp. Actually, they're extremely rewarding in the fff, where the string's resistance emerges with all its strength.
Feel to the touch
Very soft and flexible, very comfortable in their movements. Extremely easy for the left hand.
Extremely pleasing. The string's consistence gives the impression of playing on velvet. Comfortable and flexible movements.
Although flexible and easy, they appear more traditional and less agile than the Corellis or the Velvets. More solid and strong, with more mass.
Soft, but may be a bit too “rubbery”. The feeling is that of having under your fingers something synthetic and plastic. Especially in this case, one must follow one’s personal taste.
More traditional strings, with the classical Pirastro feel. They require a certain activity also from the left hand: they are not hard, but one must push them well against the fretboard.
Technical Features
G- nickel, D-A-E- covered in tungsten on a steel iron sound-post. It allows the use of thinner strings. The tungsten is very light, adding mass without becoming heavy.
Steel coated with silk-fibre sound-post. This is their main feature. Very flexible, in any occasion. It is necessary to stop them firmly with the left hand in order to avoid any further movement after pushing.
The calibre is more typical than the traditional strings. The sound-post is steel coated.
The sound-post of the string is made of synthetic fibre (no further details from the producer). The string's diameter appears to be higher than the average one. It vaguely recalls the response of the bowel, without the contra-indications of it.
Chromed steel on steel sound-post… Nothing particularly innovative or revolutionary. I'd say a string also more conventional technically than the others.
Timbre
It tends to be clear, clean and light. The sound is precise. It may appear not really suitable for the double-bass but more a cello-type, on clear or soft instruments.
Warm, involving, very interesting, not penetrating or sharp at all. They allow the instrument to play. The harmonics are great. There may be poor fundamentals and thus lack precision and definition, especially on dark instruments.
Dark, full, strong, defined enough and precise, with a vigorous character. Ideal for the orchestra. The pizzicatos are wonderfully full of shade and are soft.
Very dark, very warm, shaped; very few peaks of sound and very few high frequencies, this feature makes them poorly defined on instruments that are dark. They recall the response of gut.
Extremely rich and pleasing. The timbre qualities are the strongest feature of this string. The sound is rich in its harmonics, without particular frequency cuts. The low tones are beautifully dark that are precise and bright while the high notes and harmonics are present. The timbre is always solid and well directed, thanks to the string's resistance.
Volume
Notoriously not very resonant. They work well on tough and quite rigid instruments: when the harmonic level is free from too much tension, they sound more.
With a poor tension they free the instrument, therefore the greatest benefits can be seen with a tough instrument. In general, rather than a higher volume, I would speak of more air in the sound.
Very resonant strings, with a wide and defined volume. In accordance with Thomastik's philosophy of Spirocore, but with very different features.
Very resonant strings, with a good volume. They also work well on rarely played instruments or lower-quality models.
Excellent. Very resonant and with a great volume response. They are particularly good in the fff.
Installation
Easy, traditional.
Really difficult and laborious. They must be “knotted” to the tailpiece and the pegs. Pay close attention to the installation instructions otherwise they could break.
Easy, traditional.
Easy, traditional.
Easy, traditional.
Durability
Not very long-lasting: 9-12 months maximum.
Not very long-lasting and they are also particularly delicate. I'd say 1 year, if they don't break before…
Excellent. This is the strong point of the Thomastik house. I'd say 1 and a half year / 2 years.
Not very long-lasting. As time passes, they tend to unravel at the level of the bridge. 1 year more or less.
Very resistant. The iron makes the difference from the synthetic materials. Even 2 years with no problems.
Price
Between 125 and 140 euros.
Expensive. Between 180 and 230 euros.
Around 180 euros.
Around 130 euros.
Expensive: between 190 and 220 euros.
General comments
Suitable for whoever looks for a very comfortable and easy string, that flows well. Extremely easy for the left hand. Their best performance is on the bridge. Since their diameter is small, they require a certain precision for intonation and a special attention and control for bow movement results. Their particular "ease" allows performing virtuoso passages.
Their timbre is interesting and they're easy to play. The “Compas180 suit” can also be tuned for solo purposes, where they perform very well, remaining flexible. They may be a bit in tension with the orchestra tuning, but they are functional. Delicate and refined. Not really suitable for whoever likes to push. Also excellent for Baroque music and similar repertoires.
Ideal for the orchestra and for whoever looks for a full sound, a bit dark, with a great sound pressure. Although being easy, they need some weight on the right and some pressure on the left. They're not particularly suitable for acrobatics and agilities (unlike the Corellis...)
Ideal for whoever needs a very big and dark sound, that frequently recalls the bowel response, without the contraindications of the bowel (for example, the string supports tuning well). The tuning tolerance thread is very high for its features of timbre and calibre. It is suitable to compensate, in timbre, for "open" or very clear instruments.
Great richness of quality and timbre., it is in fact, the most expensive Pirastro string. They give nothing to those who cannot play with a good weight and cannot push into the string. Otherwise they are very gratifying. It is a precise, resonant and resistant string. Traditional. Typical sound of the best steel. They may seem hard on some instruments.
In any event, let's not forget that each double-bass deserves its proper strings…
…and that de gustibus non disputandum est…” (There is no accounting for taste)”
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