Eudoxas

Chrix · #1 10-07-2007, 05:37 PM

Does anyone here or anywhere use the whole Eudoxa set for jazz? I read a lot about the Oliv/Eudoxa combo, but was curious how the Eudoxa D & G sound.

Phil Rowan · #2 10-07-2007, 06:07 PM

I only have experience with Eudoxa/Olive E and A (the D and G were plain gut in most cases, except when I had Golden Spiral D's)...I would say they might be a bit "brighter" sounding than Olive D and G's, but still have that good gut sound. I'm sure people with knowledge of how they sound will chime in soon enough.

Bobby King · #3 10-07-2007, 06:28 PM

Yes, the Eudoxa G&D are a bit brighter, slightly thinner in diameter, and somewhat higher tension than Olives. Most people love the Olive G and many the G&D for a string that gives the deep, punchy qualities of gut, but is also very bowable and more clear up the neck. The Olive A&E tend to be pretty thuddy for pizz so the Eudoxas are a popular replacement that's still a similar string. A full set of Eudoxas is certainly a fine set of strings, brighter and more sustaining than Olive while Olive is perhaps better for arco.

Aaron Cohn · #4 10-07-2007, 07:54 PM

I used to use a full set of Eudoxas. Great strings, great tone and feel in my experience. Gut sound, but with a little edge to it. I wound up having trouble with the windings and changing strings but I've often been tempted to go back.

If you do give the Eudoxas a try, you may want to consider trying a different E string to save money. It's not that there's anything wrong with the Eudoxa E--just that it's even more hideously expensive than the rest of the set. I also don't think a gut E does as much for the tone as a gut G or D. Though I haven't tried it, I suspect the new Evah Pirazzi E might be a good match.

Chrix · #5 10-07-2007, 08:00 PM

I guess I'm just in a bit of a "what the heck do I want my sound to be" kind of funk. I'm currently on Hybrid mediums. I go through periods where I want the more modern sound and periods where I want an older, gut-style sound. Right now I'm in the modern line of thought. I'm not completely sure that I love the hybrids, but I like the ease of playing them and the facility that I have. The closest things to guts I've tried are Animas, and I liked them but didn't feel that ease of facility I get with steel strings. I was just curious as to how much like steel the Eudoxas are without the harshness that certain steel strings have...

brianh · #6 10-07-2007, 08:05 PM

eudoxas are in my opinion a perfect blend of gut gound, steel string definition and articulation, and jazz/bow versatility. really great string, questionable durability...ive played them, changed away , and am changing back because the sound is so good

milomo · #7 10-07-2007, 08:23 PM

I've found that in terms of both sound and feel, eudoxa's are much closer to regular gut than animas. The problem, as has already been mentioned, is reliability, and considering what Pirastro gets for them, that's why I just can't use them anymore.

Chrix · #8 10-07-2007, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianh

eudoxas are in my opinion a perfect blend of gut gound, steel string definition and articulation, and jazz/bow versatility. really great string, questionable durability...ive played them, changed away , and am changing back because the sound is so good

You shouldn't tell me this. I'm not sure I can always afford a set. When talking about durability, what kind of lifespan are we talking? I had a set of Obligatos once and they putzed out after about six months. I definitely can't swing changing out Eudoxas that often...I may not always love the sound, but Hybrids & Sprios are definitely priced right...

jazz bass guy · #9 10-07-2007, 11:54 PM

Check out the Evah Pirazzis

Michael Case · #10 10-08-2007, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrix

You shouldn't tell me this. I'm not sure I can always afford a set. When talking about durability, what kind of lifespan are we talking? I had a set of Obligatos once and they putzed out after about six months. I definitely can't swing changing out Eudoxas that often...I may not always love the sound, but Hybrids & Sprios are definitely priced right...

In terms of Olivs it really depends, I've had a G die after about 4 months. My D held up, but after 6 months stopped holding pitch. I wish I never tried them because I loved the sound, but will never buy them again. Too much money, too little reliability.

Phil Rowan · #11 10-08-2007, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazz bass guy

Check out the Evah Pirazzis

Evah's or Dominants would be a good choice. Though I'm interested in one day trying the Evah's, I've never tried them. Dominants were my first "steel" set after I had used Animas to ease the transition (I guess) from using guts for years. They give that characteristic warmth and roundness of a gut string. You do have to be careful with installation of these, but if you do it right they'll give you a good enough life span. I love the way they bow too.

David Kaczorowski · #12 10-08-2007, 12:12 PM

I've been using Olivs and Eudoxas for nearly 8 years, with the exception of a few brief experimentations, and never had a durability issue, playing 100-150 gigs a year plus time woodshedding. I did have an E string break once, but that was after it had been on my bass for nearly 2 years. Because of the cost, I no longer replace all my strings at once. I replace individual strings when they need to be replaced. Why replace an E string at the same time as a G, for example, when it's used a small fraction of the time the G string is used?

I've used the Eudoxa G and D and liked them for a while but missed the Olivs. The Eudoxa strings are brighter, and sustain longer, and don't produce as big a fundamental as the Olivs.

Chrix · #13 10-08-2007, 02:54 PM

So I guess the next question, between the Oliv/Eudoxa mix, Eudoxas and Evah Pirazzis, how do these all respond to amplification. Particularly a Realist through a GK MBE150. I know the ideal situation is to mic everything, but those opportunities are a rare luxury for me right now.

brianh · #14 10-09-2007, 10:48 PM

When I used Eudoxa's (and I will soon be using them again) I never had a problem with the amp...at least any more than I normally do. I'm sure some will disagree, but I typically find that a more gut-oriented sound and higher action lead to more problems using a pickup. Maybe it's because the bass is vibrating so much it throws off the transducer, maybe I'm crazy....but my sound when amplified was always more focused with low action and less full sound. I hated that sound, but it was "clearer."...and thinner

However, I play 80% of gigs without an amp and the sound of higher action and a darker, gut like string is worth it to me. Although I recently switched to a Fishman Full Circle, which seems to work much better. I think it's a really usable pickup and it sends a really clear, un-offensive signal, which for the times I do use an amp works fine.

JimmyM · #15 10-13-2007, 07:12 PM

I tried Eudoxas for a few months. They were very stiff, but had a great sound not unlike guts but with a metallic edge and more sustain on the bottom strings. But I'd never buy another set because they just don't last very long. The windings are very easy to break, especially if you do any jazz or swing slapping.

Chrix · #16 10-13-2007, 07:24 PM

Drat. Maybe I should refrain. My pocketbook would like me for it anyway. Perhaps someday, someone will make a steel string that has great sustain but with great gut-like sound that sounds great with low action and amplified through any pickup or amp and that costs under $150...

Marc Piane · #17 10-13-2007, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrix

So I guess the next question, between the Oliv/Eudoxa mix, Eudoxas and Evah Pirazzis, how do these all respond to amplification. Particularly a Realist through a GK MBE150. I know the ideal situation is to mic everything, but those opportunities are a rare luxury for me right now.

I use Eudoxas for my G and D. I use a Realist and a GK MB150s. I think they sound great. I hope all the talk of durability issues doesn't come true. I love my sound right now.

jazz bass guy · #18 10-13-2007, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrix

Perhaps someday, someone will make a steel string that has great sustain but with great gut-like sound that sounds great with low action and amplified through any pickup or amp and that costs under $150...

You mean, like the Evah Pirazzis?

**Jeremy Allen** · #19 10-14-2007, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazz bass guy

You mean, like the Evah Pirazzis?

Good one! I feel the same way.
One thing that Eudoxas (on the D and G) will give you that Evah Pirazzis (or Spiros, or Helicores, or Obligatos) won't is the totally satisfying feeling of having your notes maintain (or even increase) their fullness and punchiness as you go up the neck. Eudoxas were the first gut string I played, and I remember playing a rhythm changes on an unamplified gig and just marveling at the presence of the sound and the way it projected. There's nothing like having an F on the G string sound as full as the one an octave down on the D string.

Of course, I also stripped those Eudoxas off in a fit of rage during the set break at a very humid gig and put my Spirocores back on, because I just could not get the things to stay in tune. Everything's a trade-off.

jlilley · #20 10-14-2007, 06:53 PM

I would really consider using gut on the D and G with steel or hybrid on the bottom. To me, most of the 'gut character' come through on the D and G. I've been use Doms and Gamut for the last few months and have been really happy with both my acoustic and amplified sound.
John