Alternative for Oliv G

txstatebass · #1 02-07-2009, 09:21 AM

Oh the minutia of string mania. I LOVE the Oliv G, but I'm thinking of a steel or hybrid alternative for no particular reason. Currently using Pirastro Jazzers on DAE. I have contemplated an EP G to see if that compliments well. Should just go all spiro. The thing is, I like the feel of a thicker G under the fingers, but I don't want to go all gut. Are there any other "thick" metal or hybrid G's out there I should think about?
Thanks guys!

Bobby King · #2 02-07-2009, 12:17 PM

Well, there's Evah Pirazzi, Obligato, Innovation 140B, Dominant, Velvet Anima-Compass-Blue. Those are all hybrid. Don't know about thick steel-core.

TroyK · #3 02-07-2009, 05:07 PM

Please, try an Obligato G. I almost want to buy it for you. I loved Jazzers, but never warmed up all that much to the G and had in my head that Obligato G or D/G would be great with them. The Obligato E and A are the ones with the problems.

Anyway, I moved on, but have kept in my mind for maybe future consideration.

I think it would work.

I did have the EP G with my Jazzers for a while, then added the D and left it that way for a while, then went full EPs. It might be worth trying too. I liked it as I was putting them on one string at a time, but ended up not liking the EP set (though I stuck with it for quite a while). Most agree that the G is the weak string in that set, though.

I do like the idea of matching Pirastros with Pirastros.

txstatebass · #4 02-07-2009, 08:53 PM

I've tried the whole EP set before. And Obligatos as well. My only problem was that fuhshlikita rolling A. Messes with my timing. Obli G might just work. I have an old one lying around here somewhere. I'll post about it tomorrow.

TroyK · #5 02-08-2009, 12:46 AM

Yeah, that A in that set is a disaster and the E was almost as bad, but the G with Jazzers has promise, I think. Maybe even the D.

bonaventura · #6 02-08-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txstatebass

Oh the minutia of string mania. I LOVE the Oliv G, but I'm thinking of a steel or hybrid alternative for no particular reason. ...The thing is, I like the feel of a thicker G under the fingers, but I don't want to go all gut. Are there any other "thick" metal or hybrid G's out there I should think about?
Thanks guys!

You might like the Velvet Anima G. It's hybrid (made of silk with copper-alloy wrapping), is nice and fat like thick, and has good volume and tone. Bright at first, mellow when settled in. Funny, I just took off my Evah G and put on an Oliv, which to me was an improvement.

TroyK · #7 02-08-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonaventura

I just took off my Evah G and put on an Oliv, which to me was an improvement.

No doubt, but the EP is cheaper and more durable. Not nearly as tasty, though.

I'm settled into the strong opinion that it's not about the best of each string, but the right compliment for others that you are using and your bass setup.

Although I've sworn off Obligatos as a set, I think the G would match nicely with the rest of the Jazzers. I think they sound better than the EP G's and are more durable (and cheaper) than the OLIV G.

But, there's only one way to know for sure...

RShew · #8 02-08-2009, 12:43 PM

Where in the range are the Jazzers tension wise? None of the string charts I have seen list anything about tension. It might help in figuring out which string will match up.

txstatebass · #9 02-08-2009, 02:07 PM

Took Troyk's advice and put on the obli G. Sounds good and blends well with the set. ***DISCLAIMER*** The Obli G is almost as old as my son (5 yrs). Feel wise it works, but I might order a new one to get the full effect. EP is on back-order with Lemur. Bummer. I'll stick with the Obli for a while to see what it can do on the job.

Johnny L · #10 02-08-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txstatebass

Are there any other "thick" metal or hybrid G's out there I should think about?
Thanks guys!

Dang man that's a hard one. I'm not sure there is a such thing as an alternative for an Oliv G...

txstatebass · #11 02-08-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny L

Dang man that's a hard one. I'm not sure there is a such thing as an alternative for an Oliv G...

I hear you. I'm never happy. Going to the Elephant tomorrow?

Johnny L · #12 02-08-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txstatebass

Going to the Elephant tomorrow?

I should. Not in a rut right now, but there's no such thing as getting too much inspiration...

txstatebass · #13 02-20-2009, 09:50 AM

Obligato G worked great, but the EP came in. Sounds good and is closer to the Oliv than the Obli so I think we may have a keeper.

drurb · #14 02-20-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txstatebass

Obligato G worked great, but the EP came in. Sounds good and is closer to the Oliv than the Obli so I think we may have a keeper.

I sure agree with your preference! The Obli G just never did it for me. It was always too weak sounding and it would give up way too soon. That is, I couldn't dig into it. The EP G is a whole different animal. Much bolder. I'm currently using a full set of EPs. Sure, it would be nice to try the Oliv G but at it's current prices, I'm not convinced that the return would be anywhere near worth it. I'd be happy for someone to convince me, though.

txstatebass · #15 02-22-2009, 03:34 PM

So after my first two choices to replace the Oliv G (Obli and EP) I've not only gone back to the Oliv, but added an Oliv D as well. The EP was nice, but it felt a little spongy and would choke when I would dig in. I'm sure I will stick with the Oliv's will stay on for a while this time.

Now, what to match on the bottom? Currently I have Jazzers for the A and E. Don't have the scrilla for doxy's at the moment. Obligato and EP A's roll too much. Maybe Spiro Mittels? Comments, ideas, rude remarks anyone?

JLubinsky-Mast · #16 02-22-2009, 04:38 PM

I'm using Oliv D&G with Spiro weich A&E. I love the tone, and volume wise they seem to even out really nicely.
I'm convinced that an Oliv A is what I need at the moment, and thanks to the generosity of larry I have one on the way. I think that I will move up to Mittel E anyways whether or not the Oliv A works.
I found that with the Obligatos on the D&G I was getting buried sonically, especially when guitars were in the ensembles.
If you're still stuck for a G, I am a fan of the Anima G, I had it paired with Weichs on the EAD and it was smoking.

txstatebass · #17 02-22-2009, 04:55 PM

Not a big fan of the animas. I bow a lot and they didn't do it for me. Hadn't considered the weich. I have some of those around here somewhere...

TroyK · #18 02-23-2009, 08:07 AM

Though the Jazzers get compared most commonly to weiches, they are actually closer in size to the Spirocored mittels. My feeling is that if you wanted to go from Jazzers to Spirocores on A and D to match with your OLIVs, that Mittels would be the right choice. Haven't had that specific combination.

My only romance with an OLIV G (which was quite great, by the way), was paired with Pirastro Permanents. I felt that was a good balance and it might something to think about.

I may have an E and A around here that I could send to you if you like. PM me if you're interested.

Troy