Spirocore Red's, Orchestral ??

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Richard Prowse

Thanks for that Ken. Ha! I know what you mean about what you hear. I might go with those reds instead of the Kaplans - I don't want Kaplans if I don't get that fast response. I've got my second bass set up with a high C (C G D A) for some solo work I have coming up. I've got an old set of Corelli TX strings on (fairly stiff). The C string certainly sings! Who knows, maybe I'll finish up with reds on both basses (still with one high set)?

Richard, I am not saying that the Kaplans are not fast. I just did Beeth. 9th with them on my Hart bass. There are some major fast parts in that piece. They worked great. I was only saying that I don't know what the hard core Orig.Flex. players will or do think about them. They are too new on the market to have all the opinions in. I like them and would be glad to stick with them if nothing else was available. What one string has, another string might lack and visa versa. Not every string does everything. I think they are worth the try. The tone is sweet. My bass likes them!

[Richard Prowse]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Richard, I am not saying that the Kaplans are not fast. I just did Beeth. 9th with them on my Hart bass. There are some major fast parts in that piece. They worked great. I was only saying that I don't know what the hard core Orig.Flex. players will or do think about them. They are too new on the market to have all the opinions in. I like them and would be glad to stick with them if nothing else was available. What one string has, another string might lack and visa versa. Not every string does everything. I think they are worth the try. The tone is sweet. My bass likes them!

Thanks Ken, I'll keep them in the equation. The Corelli strings are doing a good job on the 'solo' bass. What are the Kaplans like at pizz?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Richard Prowse

Thanks Ken, I'll keep them in the equation. The Corelli strings are doing a good job on the 'solo' bass. What are the Kaplans like at pizz?

The Hart is more of a dry sounding bass Pizz wise. Until last month, it was always used as an Orchestral bass, never for Jazz. It took me almost 5 years before I touched the bridge to fit it for my pick-up. Amplified, it did quite well as a jazz bass. Un-amped, I had 3 other basses playing with me in unison but it seemed to work well.

[Scott Pope]

Ken, I know that you know, but for the rest of the crowd interested in Spiros, everyone needs to remember that there are five different sets of orchestra tuned Spiros, and then there are two solo sets, the quint tuning sets, and the fractional sets after that. Most people only talk about the S42 4/4 sets. For the standard tuned sets, in ascending order of tension, if all were fitted on the same bass:

S42W 4/4 Weich
3885W 3/4 Weich
S42 4/4 Mittel
3885 3/4 Mittel
S42 4/4 Stark

So that I could make an informed decision about fit on my particular instrument, I contacted Connolly about the differences in speaking lengths and silk lengths between the S42 4/4 and 3885 3/4 sets. They sent me a very explanatory email with a chart, but the chart is coded into the email, and I don't know how to reformat the chart so it is clear, and not just linear data. When I try to cut and paste the chart out of the email, I just get strings of numbers. I'd like to forward that to you. Please let me know either here or by PM how you would like me to send you that information.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Scott Pope

Ken, I know that you know, but for the rest of the crowd interested in Spiros, everyone needs to remember that there are five different sets of orchestra tuned Spiros, and then there are two solo sets, the quint tuning sets, and the fractional sets after that. Most people only talk about the S42 4/4 sets. For the standard tuned sets, in ascending order of tension, if all were fitted on the same bass:

S42W 4/4 Weich
3885W 3/4 Weich
S42 4/4 Mittel
3885 3/4 Mittel
S42 4/4 Stark

So that I could make an informed decision about fit on my particular instrument, I contacted Connolly about the differences in speaking lengths and silk lengths between the S42 4/4 and 3885 3/4 sets. They sent me a very explanatory email with a chart, but the chart is coded into the email, and I don't know how to reformat the chart so it is clear, and not just linear data. When I try to cut and paste the chart out of the email, I just get strings of numbers. I'd like to forward that to you. Please let me know either here or by PM how you would like me to send you that information.

Forward me the email to support@kensmithbasses.com

I think there is one set of Reds for a normal size bass that I consider mediums aka mittels. These other names and gauges are newer to me than what we had 30-40 years ago. That's all I know. Whatever a 4/4 is in their language, I have no idea. The modern 3/4 bass is a small instrument as compared to the manageable 7/8th which is actually a 3/4 or Orchestra Norm with and average body length of about 45 1/4". From 46-48" bodies, you are in the 4/4 range in my world. Maybe they need to make a 7/8th length? I will wait for your chart in my email.

[Scott Pope]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Forward me the email to support@kensmithbasses.com

Email forwarded. I think the set everyone refers to as the "Reds Mittel" is the S42 Mittel set. I am using a 3885W E string with the Bels ADG and it is a great match for feel and tone on my bass.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Scott Pope

Email forwarded. I think the set everyone refers to as the "Reds Mittel" is the S42 Mittel set. I am using a 3885W E string with the Bels ADG and it is a great match for feel and tone on my bass.

I can't post that chart either. As far as the subject goes, what can you tell me if anything about Orchestral bowing for the Red set, medium gauge, either length.