odonovanr

After meeting Daf, I went to Wales and visited the factory. A string was made before my eyes and having seen that, it seems obvious that the kink is inevitable and that Daf's explanation is right. Because the core is not metal, it will be much more flexible than steel core strings. When the strings are wound, the core has a quite thick sticky stuff around it. I suppose that this glewy substance gets cracked under tension, but since it has no part in the string resistance - given exclusively by the thread of the core - there is nothing wrong. And since the new version of the braided strings will have a core which is even more flexible, it will appear to be worse when in fact they will be all right! So why did the sound go wrong on my string? No idea, and now that Daf has shredded it, we probably won't know. People at the factory were extremely kind and it was very interesting. Great place!

OK, I think the picture is posted.

I set up my bass with Innovation strings a few months ago and was very pleases with the sound. Then the sound of my E string deteriorated, but I first thought that maybe I was playing as usual. I decided to put one of my previous strings to feel if there was a change, and: surprise, the string is broken is a most unusual place. I don't even see how I could have done this myself. Richard [url="http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/odonovanr/media/string_zps786fa0ff.jpg.html"]http://s1303.photobu...6fa0ff.jpg.html[/url]

I just got back from London where I bought an Innovation Braided set an put them on my bass. The sound is much more interesting and gut-like. Surprisingly - because somebody here said they had less projection - they are MUCH more powerful than the metal core strings I had before. (standard Flexocore mounted on new instruments, I think) Thanks to all. Now back to music! Richard

You may also want to look at the discussion about bows, here [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/195180-french-or-german/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/195180-french-or-german/[/url] But even though my choice is German bow, if you played the violin, a French bow may seem easier to you. BTW if one sort was really overall better, the other sort wouldn't be around anymore, so it is really about how you feel.

and this is the french bow

Here is what they look lilke. This is a german bow.

Thanks for this discussion. I have used Klinghoffer's video and was impressed by the "look, no hands!" but recently I have felt strains in the shoulder and, more worrying, pain in the left wrist. But then John Clayton seems to have a very interesting point: how far can we go down the fingerboard without bending over? And he doesn't really hold the DB either! The fact that I play with the bow is probably not relevant here. So, off to try tilting the DB!

Hi I was sent here by Innovations strings to see if I could find an answer to the most basic question: I play in an amateur classical orchestra. I am the only bass (not unusual) but I am not soloist. So how to choose between Braided and Braided Solo strings? What are the characteristics in terms of playability and sound? I played once with the bow on a bass with set of rockabilly innovation and found the sound very interesting - hence the idea to go a step further and play the braided. Any advice welcome. I live and play in Switzerland, so I can't ask for a test set sadly, or can I? Richard