Flexocor Bass Strings
There's really two kinds of Flexocor bass
strings. Flexocor Originals and the ones simply called: Flexocor.
Why the two? Here's the quicky version of the story: For many
years Pirastro made just a few brands of bass strings. Flexocors
were (and I think still are) the most popular orchestra type string
used for the upright bass. Then sometime around 1992 they
had the idea that they could make these strings even "better"!
So they changed the old formula and came out with a new version
and to be quite un-dramatic about the whole affair, almost caused
a world uprising. Well, not really, but most were unhappy
that they messed with their favorite bass string. Finally, Pirastro
quickly seeing their grave mistake, brought back their "Original"
Flexocor bass strings and called them that so that there would never,
ever be any confusion. For a while, they called the "newer"
version of Flexocors (Flexocor '92's), now simply referred to as
Flexocor. So now, you know why they have two Flexocors.
 So
what's the difference? Flexocor Originals "feel"
like they have just a tad bit less tension. Again, it will
always boil down to what that particular bass does and what the
upright bass player needs or wants. The key point that every bass
player needs to remember is that for every one string characteristic
strength, there is almost an equal "tradeoff" with something
else in the string. So in a nutshell, the Originals tend to
"feel" less tight with the bow and they tend to sound
just a little rounder (or thicker), but the reason lots of people
like the other brand (simply called Flexocor) is that they have
a bit more pop with the bow. If you tend to really like Flexocors,
the only way to really know what you like better is to try them
both or ask a friend that has a used set, to try on your bass.
True, the old set might be worn out a bit, but you still can get
an idea of what you might like. We offer both
Flexocor and Original Flexocor bass strings brands as well most
all Pirastro brand upright bass strings.
Why some don't use the
Flexocor E string?
When comparing the tonal characteristics all 4 strings (of the
Flexocor bass strings), they match beautifully. Going from
the G, D, A and then to the E (while the timbre matches), the loss
of power on the E is more often too much to accept. Long ago,
upright bass players without having too much of a selection of bass
strings to choose from, often went with an 'E' Spirocore.
It will give way more punch ( and you can then get a decent spiccato)
on the E, but for longer sustained notes the brightness (edge) of
that Spirocore is often too much. We would keep these old
Spirocores on forever. Over time, the E would mellow and it
would blend better with the rest of the strings.
The Helicore is far less brighter (with the bow)
then a Spirocore. The Permanent E string
will have an even warmer tone (than both the Helicore or Spirocore)
and still have a pretty decent attack with the bow. Again,
(and again) it boils down to what works best for that particular
bass and the playing style of the player. If you want a stronger
E than what comes with the regular set of Flexocors, we recommend
using a Permanent E string instead.
We have the lowest priced bass strings in the world. See our complete
upright bass strings page for prices and listing of the bass
strings that we offer.
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