Evah Pirazzi strings megathread part II

bonaventura · #1 01-07-2009, 11:35 PM

hmmmmmmm, prolly otta try Evahs 'fore too long...

[just couldn't resist saying something at this point

]

Marcus Johnson · #2 01-08-2009, 12:03 PM

I still think that the greatest thing about the Evahs, among a whole bunch of great things, is the very front of the note. It's hard to describe, but there's a little ping right at the beginning that's just addictive. I don't think I ever enjoyed playing walking lines as much on any other string.

I'm anxious to see feedback on the Evah Weichs, if and when they ever hit the market.

twodinners · #3 01-08-2009, 12:09 PM

Hi all,

I wondered when I would legitimately get to contribute to the great Evah Pirazzi thread.

I've had a set on for eight months, they replaced some four year old Spirocores that had taken me from novice to gigging.

I thought they were a more grown up sound, less sustain, but bigger fundamentals which helped a lot as did their sound under my less than accomplished bow.

Definitely a bit beefier under the hand, but I think that has only helped me with strength and endurance.

Trouble is my G string got clouted by a mike stand (I think, see my thread under setup and repair) and is now unuseable so I've put the Spiros back on, which are fine, but...

Has anyone got a used Evah G?

Cheers,

Kevin

Humberto · #4 01-08-2009, 02:47 PM

I just changed strings (experimenting with a Lenzner Gut G) and so I have a used Eva G - about a year old.

Let me know if you want it - you can have it cheap.

drurb · #5 01-08-2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I still think that the greatest thing about the Evahs, among a whole bunch of great things, is the very front of the note. It's hard to describe, but there's a little ping right at the beginning that's just addictive.

Indeed. This seems to be what makes the Evahs, which some describe as a dark-sounding string, work on my bass which I think would also be described as dark-sounding. I thought the combination might not work but that percussive front end to the note adds that bit of articulation that I find very pleasing and that keeps the overall sound from being too dark.

Marcus Johnson · #6 01-08-2009, 03:33 PM

I found that the sound woke up over time as well... they became brighter in a good way. They seemed very dark at first..... maybe my bass adjusted, maybe my hands did. I do know that they seem to like to be pizzed right at the end of the fingerboard... that's where that little "snap" lives. Delicious.

To judge them right at the outset is a mistake. They change quite a bit in the first couple of months. Although I'm using the Spiros at the moment, of all of my string experiments, the Evahs are the ones I'm most likely to return to. I wouldn't be surprised at all to have them find their way back to my bass.

drurb · #7 01-08-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I do know that they seem to like to be pizzed right at the end of the fingerboard... that's where that little "snap" lives. Delicious.

I also discovered that they like to be pizzed right at the end of the board although I seem to get that nice "pop" a bit further up as well.

bonaventura · #8 01-09-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I still think that the greatest thing about the Evahs, among a whole bunch of great things, is the very front of the note. It's hard to describe, but there's a little ping right at the beginning that's just addictive. I don't think I ever enjoyed playing walking lines as much on any other string.

I'm anxious to see feedback on the Evah Weichs, if and when they ever hit the market.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I found that the sound woke up over time as well... they became brighter in a good way. They seemed very dark at first..... maybe my bass adjusted, maybe my hands did. I do know that they seem to like to be pizzed right at the end of the fingerboard... that's where that little "snap" lives. Delicious.

To judge them right at the outset is a mistake. They change quite a bit in the first couple of months. Although I'm using the Spiros at the moment, of all of my string experiments, the Evahs are the ones I'm most likely to return to. I wouldn't be surprised at all to have them find their way back to my bass.

Marcus, thanks for summing it all up so well. Can you elaborate just a bit on how the Evahs changed over time? What are all the changes that stand out in your mind and when did they occur, if you can recall.

drurb · #9 01-09-2009, 07:08 PM

Hope you don't mind my answering. When my Evahs were brand new, they felt quite stiff. Over about three weeks they seemed to steadily become much more comfortable to play. Of course, I can't be sure how much of that might have been a result of my becoming used to them but my intuition is that they actually did settle in.

Marcus Johnson · #10 01-09-2009, 07:42 PM

I think they really do loosen up quite a bit. My thinking is that if they weren't that tight when first installed, they might be too loose for some players in the long term. They felt just right after a couple of months. I also think they brightened up somewhat, and developed a bit more growl over time.

keith rosier · #11 01-09-2009, 10:51 PM

The Evah Pirazzi --WEICH TENSION--Bass Set is now a reality. It has been developed, and is being tested---It's a fact. I can't answer any questions about the set because that's all I know. Ask your dealer to pre-order the Weich set now and maybe the set will hit the market sooner.
Best,
Keith

Marcus Johnson · #12 01-10-2009, 12:21 PM

OHHH CRAP!

S.fasciani · #13 01-10-2009, 12:26 PM

Just tested them out and they are quite cool. Im going to get a set.

mheintz · #14 01-10-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S.fasciani

Just tested them out and they are quite cool. Im going to get a set.

Tell us more. I thought that the EPs had fantastic pizz, but I wasn't sold on the arco. For me, not enough definition particularly on the lower strings. The Weichs might be right up my alley.

Monte · #15 01-10-2009, 08:53 PM

Yeah, I'm really digging the EP's with the addition of the Oliv G. Mine is pretty worn but it sounds great (see my post in Amps section) and feels a ton better than the EP G string.

I ordered another Oliv G when I got a 10% off coupon from Quinn over the holidays.

twodinners · #16 01-13-2009, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humberto

I just changed strings (experimenting with a Lenzner Gut G) and so I have a used Eva G - about a year old.

Let me know if you want it - you can have it cheap.

Humberto,

Thank you, but I forgot to say I'm in the UK. If you can be bothered with the hassle, please pm me with cost and such. There's no grand hurry as I'm quite enjoying being back on the Spiros.

Many thanks,

Kevin

stefaniw80401 · #17 01-17-2009, 11:34 AM

EP's being synthetic core, I'm concerned with using any kind of solvents. With spiros (or any all-metal string) I like to use Dr. Stringfellow's cleaner on the FB side of the strings, and alcohol on the arco (i.e. rosin-y) side of the strings.

I'm about to put on a set of EP's. I can live with just a dry wipe on the FB side of the strings, but sometimes I need a bit more than a dry wipe on the rosin.

Suggestions?
- Mark

Phil Rowan · #18 01-17-2009, 12:12 PM

Extra-extra-fine steel wool?

fred pratt · #19 01-17-2009, 01:13 PM

I've really enjoyed this thread. I read the whole thing over the holidays when it was only 950 or so posts. Great insight and great humor. My "contribution," if you could call it that, will be meager by comparison.

I've had Evahs on my carved Juzek for a couple of months or so, replacing my two-year-old Superflexibles, which sounded great until they were cleaned. The top joint on my right index finger was hurting for a while after the Evahs went on but seems to be getting better now. The strings do seem to be a bit more relaxed now. (Part of it could be that I'm getting used to them.)

All the strings sound nice and fat, with a great fundamental, just as everyone says. On my bass, though, the E really sings. It has great sustain, it's not muddy, and it really brings out the full bottom sound of my bass in a way that no other string has so far.

I'm struggling with getting a good amplified sound out of the Evahs. Sometimes the sound is raspy coming out of the Wizzy. And playing with a six-piece the other day there were moments when I wished I had a brighter sound. A paradox I'm wrestling with is that sometimes a darker sound sits better in the mix, and other times it seems a brighter sound would work better.

As much as I like the acoustic sound of the Evahs, I'm intrigued by the idea of trying Spirocores again. (This thread also seems to be about Spiros to a degree.) It's been a long while since I've used them and my playing and tastes have changed since then. Many players seem to love them.

In the meantime I tried something counterintuitive by putting my Realist back on to see how it sounds with the Evahs. After a short test I believe I like the Full Circle better with these strings for that marginal added clarity.

drurb · #20 01-18-2009, 02:02 PM

Fred--

Is there an echo in here?

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

Well, it's been a week. After the first day or two, I wasn't sure about the stiffer feel, especially given the top joint on right index finger wasn't too happy. A few more days and that disappeared. Then, I played the Evahs amplified for the first time. WOW!

As far as amplification goes, I'm using the Rev Solo 2, fdecks HPF/pre, EA iamp200, and Wizzy 12. I don't know why but the Evahs produce just about the best amplified sound I've gotten. I also encounter times when I want things a bit brighter. A little boost in bands centered at 2 and 4 kHz does the trick.

Funny you should mention Spiros. I played Spiros yesterday on another bass and remarked, "You know, when it comes right down to it, I just don't like Spiros-- I've done my time on them." Who knows? In five years I may change my mind. For now, I'm lovin' the Evahs.

The original motivation for going to the Evahs was the breakage issues I had with the Doms. I love those strings but just ha to give 'em up. To be honest, now that I'm used to the Evahs, I don't miss 'em.