anyone find olivs zingy?

neal davis · #1 01-01-2007, 11:23 PM

Hi I have been a gut user for all my life and the past 5-6 years have used Velvet garbos/not sure how much gut is in them now, they sound different. I have just switched 1 month ago to 2 obligato E A and oliv D and G and I find that they almost sound zingy like steel strings. I play with enough height on my strings 11mm G 12 mm E so I don't think the height is a problem, any suggestions?

regards

Neal

Michael Case · #2 01-02-2007, 09:24 PM

Give them time to break in. They sound much better as they settle in. You may want to have a sound post adjustment too. I wasn't really happy with elements of my Oliv D & G at first. I understand the zing you refer to, but it does go away.

Aaron Cohn · #3 01-02-2007, 11:12 PM

I haven't used Olivs, but with Eudoxas, my experience was similar to Mike da Mook's with Olivs. It takes a while for them to sound their best. I'd imagine Olivs are likely to be the same way.

neal davis · #4 01-03-2007, 12:21 AM

Yeah I've had my bass in the shop and am getting the sound post moved, it has helped a bit but I still think I guess compared to unwound gut there is a bit of zingyness, thanks for you comments

Neal

Michael Case · #5 01-03-2007, 06:55 AM

I've never used unwound gut so it's hard for me to compare, but I'd assume the metal windings make them a little brighter.

Monte · #6 01-03-2007, 07:10 PM

Yeah, my latest recording had that element of the sound when my Oliv's were new.

When Adrian Cho heard it, he was really shocked it was gut strings with a mid-high string height.

svenbass · #7 01-03-2007, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron Cohn

I haven't used Olivs, but with Eudoxas, my experience was similar to Mike da Mook's with Olivs. It takes a while for them to sound their best. I'd imagine Olivs are likely to be the same way.

I use Eudoxas, and have used Oliv's. I love mine after 2-3 weeks of heavy use, and this continues for 9-12 months in my experience, then a slow decline. Usually one has either broken or come unwound by the time they really poop out, so if you can afford it, life is good with these strings .... terribly expensive though if they fall apart prematurely, which has happened in the past, but they seem to stay together for me now.

Michael Case · #8 01-04-2007, 09:03 AM

When I first put my Olivs on I thought they were terrible and almost changed them. Now I'm glad I didn't because they sound sweet.

neal davis · #9 01-04-2007, 11:04 AM

Got my bass back today and they seem to be settling in a bit more and not as harsh, just one more question and sorry for changing the thread have you guys tried the pirastro pizz string?

svenbass · #10 01-04-2007, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neal davis

Got my bass back today and they seem to be settling in a bit more and not as harsh, just one more question and sorry for changing the thread have you guys tried the pirastro pizz string?

I've got a set on right now and find them similar to the Eudoxa/Oliv. They are a bit brighter, and do have a bit of 'zing' that tends to recede with the others. They also may be about 10% more flexible than the Eudoxas. The main difference is that they have a roundwound feel which took a day to get used to, but is a non issue with pizz. I had to adjust rosin for arco, and they work fine for my needs. I rarely perform with the bow and do not consider myself a classical bassist, though I do practice with the bow daily.
Also I have the set that are all silver wrapped - apparently they make a set with nylon wrapped D and G (a-la Golden Spirals)
FWIW give the Oliv's a good run, they are a great string IMO but do need a little time to settle.

Michael Case · #11 01-05-2007, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neal davis

Got my bass back today and they seem to be settling in a bit more and not as harsh, just one more question and sorry for changing the thread have you guys tried the pirastro pizz string?

No I haven't.