NS CR4 String advice sought.

[6stringbassist]

I'm getting an NS CR4 next weekend, it's used but in as new condition, and plays really nice, (well it will when I get a bit of experience on it).

I need some suggestions for new strings to put on it, I think the ones fitted at the moment are the stock ones.

I'd like it to be able to sound as double bassy as possible, but still be a bit more versatile.

I'd like some flexible, but not too floppy, dark sounding strings, I played a real DB last weekend, and the strings fitted to that were orchestral, so something like that would be good, the guy in the shop didn't know what type of strings they were though, only that the bass was set up for orchestral playing.

I take it they're just normal DB strings.

[BassBus]

I know it's a while since you posted this but I'll at least give a reply. This is an ongoing question and at the end of the day comes down to taste. A lot of NS players have used Thomastic Spirocores which bow well. Other good sets are Pirastro Flexicor.

When you buy DB strings for an NS bass make sure they are long enough. I recently measured the playing length of my DB at 102cm and my NS at 106cm. Thomastic sets would be best to be 4/4 sets as 3/4 strings are too short. Flexocors only seem to come in 4/4 and are good for bowing (arco/orchestral). Orchestral strings have a shorter sustain as it is the bow which sustains the note. Pizicato strings have a longer sustain when plucked and are not always good for bowing, though there are exceptions.

If you want it to sound more DBish lift the action up quite a bit as that helps a lot. Changing to DB strings will help a lot too. hope that's of some help.