First off, let me start by saying that I have actually played and tested all of the Strings mentioned and even sent reports back to Pirastro on how they performed. Also, the notion about the Orig Flex and Orig FC being the same is a mis-truth. One person told me he was at the factory and the only difference between the two was the liquid dampeners the place in the strings. Well then,
why are the Orig Flexs so much thicker in gauge?
For ID purposes lets use 4 string models here. The Orig Flex vs the Orig FC and the Flex 92 vs the Flat ChromSteel. Thread wise at the Ball ends I call the Origs Blue or dark blue but not purple which they are referred to. I see purple as a darker color but for now, we can say Purple or
Blue. On the Flex 92s, they look purple to me but I hear Ruby and Red being used so lets say
Red.
The Origs. are
Blue and the OFC have
Blue & White spiral.
The 92s are
Red and the FCS are
Red & White spiral.
Ok so far on the color IDs?
Sound and tension comparisons as well as actual Gauge;
In the Origs, the Blue Flex is a heavy Stark gauge that is actually heavier than the Flex 92 Starks! How many of you know that? Well, now all of you. The tension of the Origs are also much higher that any of the 4 mentioned including the Starks. The gauges of the Origs are also slightly thicker across with the A-string having a huge difference in size as compared to the others. The Orig FC is sweeter sounding to me than the Blues and have less tension overall! The gauges are thinner as well.
On the 92s vs the Orig Blues, the 92s seem to have a darker smoother sound especially on the G-string. When new, all the other Gs sound slightly too bright but they all mellow in time. The 92 G reg or stark, is smooth right out of the bag.
On the 92s vs the FCS, the FCS are thinner in gauge, brighter in tone and lighter in tension. The Flat Chrome Steels are an 'excellent' bowing string as far as I have tested on the two Basses, my huge Hungarian 5er and the English Theress I played recently. Why some people refer to the FCS as a hybrid String must only be because of its brighter tone and more pizz-friendly ability as compared to the 92 Reds.
Both the FCS and Orig FC are lighter tensioned strings than the solid similar colored threaded ball end colors.
Here is my chart of Tensions from heaviest to lighest;
Orig Flex.
92 Stark
Orig. FC
Flex 92 (close to the Orig FC except the E)
FCS
In Tone, I rate them as such from dark to bright when new on the Bass.
92 Stark
92s
Orig Flex
Orig FC
FCS
All of the strings listed about are great bowing strings. I Think now that Pirastro has these so that any Bass can get what it needs to sound good, bow good and feel good. I think all 3 factors are needed to enjoy your bowing Bass.
Not listed here are the Permanents which to me are mixed. The bottoms are thick and tight while the tops are thinner and maybe looser but definitely brighter sounding than the lower strings as far as a mix goes. I also heard these were made to compete with Helicors. Why bother when you have a great string. The main problem with most Basses is the 'E'.
Why the 'E'? First off, its the hardest open pitch to sound a true fundamental note (do NOT even mention the low B!..lol). Second, the E is lower at the bridge as compare to the D and A and the lower height might loosen its tension. Wanna test my theory? Put the E in the middle and move the A lower and test the sound and tension then. Third, the quality of Basses in the world are not equal. I have only seen the great English and Italian Basses mainly with true fundamental bottoms. Add a few German, Yankee and French in there as well as a few others but the average Bass out there percentage wise just doesn't have a thick true bottom!
So, what do we Bass players do? Blame it on the String company? Sell your house? No... Just understand the problem and work with it, period.
In the early 19th century when London was mainly a 3-String town it was believed that any note below their A-strings simply would not sound and this was the town making the best Basses in the world collectively at that time. Tuning to a 'G' was an option but an E? Phooey... Then came the visiting German Orchestras with their 4 and even 5 String Basses to play the Beethoven parts and Viennese waltzes. Soon after England started adding 4-string Basses to the sections but remaining a 3-string town for most of the century. Even in the early 20th century they still offered Hawkes model Basses with 3-strings.. Go figure.. the English...lol
Where was Pirastro then, huh?..
Baaaahhhhh