Evah Pirazzi VS Belcanto

Prescott33 · #1 12-10-2007, 08:59 AM

I've tried looking through both of the megathreads, but didn't see anyone who had used both strings on their bass. I've had the Bel Canto's for a little over a year and think they're about ready to be replaced. I've enjoyed them quite a bit. My standpartner just put on EP and they seem very good as well. I'd be interested in any comparisons. Thanks

Brian

JoeyNaeger · #2 12-10-2007, 10:04 PM

I currently have the EP extended E and belcantos on my bass right now.
-In terms of bow response, you'll find the strings are fairly evenly matched. You'll be hard pressed to get squeaks and scratches out of either. They bow a little bit differently however. The belcantos require a lighter touch with more bow speed whereas the EPs can take more weight.
-In terms of volume, The EP definitely wins both arco and pizz, but the belcantos have pretty adequate volume as well. Both strings are louder than the helicore extended E I was using.
-Pizz wise, they're both very different strings. The belcantos have an incredible depth to them and the sustain is on the shorter side, but it doesn't just thunk. The A string has a pleasing amount of growl. The EP has a much longer sustain, and plenty of growl as well. I actually prefer the pizz of the belcantos on my bass, but on many basses I was not happy with the belcanto pizz sound.
-Tone, for me the belcantos win this category. They're nice and dark without sounding bland and lifeless. The EP is nice in its own way. It's a very aggressive sounding string compared to the belcantos.

Based on the comments I've read here and other basses I've played strung with belcantos, I think they work particularly well on my bass. I've played them on other basses where they did seem rather sterile, but they really sing on mine in a beautiful way.

leftydunn · #3 12-20-2007, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prescott33

I've tried looking through both of the megathreads, but didn't see anyone who had used both strings on their bass. I've had the Bel Canto's for a little over a year and think they're about ready to be replaced. I've enjoyed them quite a bit. My standpartner just put on EP and they seem very good as well. I'd be interested in any comparisons. Thanks

Brian

I've tried both on my bass. I love the sound and depth of tone of the Bel Cantos, but felt like I was sacrificing some volume. The Evah's have a nice sound as well, but a little more of it, at first. I sold my Bel Cantos to a friend and now I miss them! I found that the EPs only lasted about 3 months before being totally dead. There is no sustain anymore and they don't respond as well as when I first put them on.

I think I'll try the BCs again.

martinc · #4 12-21-2007, 10:00 AM

Comparing the EP G and the Belcanto G pizz on my Eberle I was surprised to find the Belcanto was more solid and "gut sounding" than the EP. In addition, the Belcanto came through my pick-up "as is" compared to the EP which needed some major eq tweaking to sound even close to the way it does unamplified.

The Belcanto G works well with Spirocore Weichs . It eliminates the tinny zing of the Weich G and gives a strong fundamental tone.
If I had to choose the best all around string it would be the Belcanto. For straight acoustic playing either one would keep me happy.

Uncletoad · #5 12-21-2007, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinc

Comparing the EP G and the Belcanto G pizz on my Eberle I was surprised to find the Belcanto was more solid and "gut sounding" than the EP. In addition, the Belcanto came through my pick-up "as is" compared to the EP which needed some major eq tweaking to sound even close to the way it does unamplified.

+1 My feelings too.

Fran Diaz · #6 05-03-2011, 04:35 AM

I bring this thread back to life hoping to hear newer reviews.

Thanks in advance.

G-force · #7 05-03-2011, 07:53 AM

I really like EP but they are kinda tricky. I use them on a 1850 english bass in Orch. They sound great and the sound and feel they have is exactly the reason I play the bass. I guess since I´m 42 I´m an old timer when it comes to strings . I just love the punch they have.
That being said, they took a long time warming up , about 4 weeks before I started really liking them. Sound by far is much better than BC

That also being said I use BC on a new french bass. They are clean as a whistle and don´t annoy anyone. I won an audition with these strings and I will also say for arco there is no better string. BUT only in feel and articulation. Sound is still a bit neutral . A fellow bassist described BC as having the feel of spirochor with the deadness of pirastro.
G

Fran Diaz · #8 05-03-2011, 07:59 AM

I had planned getting a second bass for folk/country/rock stuff and keeping my bass exclusively for classical/arco but I'm starting to feel that I have reached the top of what my current bow can give me so I'm more inclined to use the money for a better bow and put some strings on my bass that I can use for everything.

G-force · #9 05-03-2011, 08:03 AM

A bow upgrade is well worth the money. A good bow on a crappy bass is better then a great bass with a crappy bow. For arco that is of course ymmv.
G

MIKMAN · #10 05-03-2011, 12:51 PM

Just my $0.01.
I tested EP Weich and Belcantos in each one of my three basses. Each test lasted at least a couple of months and i used each bass in both arco and pizz work.
The BC is a clear winner in each one of my basses for arco work, since they give a warm, deep sound, lots of volume and they start easily under the bow. The G string gives a sweet sound and keeps it in TP playing. Their pizz sound, well, is not my piece of cake since it lacks both volume and sustain, albeit it is well received when amplified. They are permanently on my bass for orchestral work.
The EP Weich, IMHO, are excellent hybrid strings. They have a good arco sound, no rolling problems under the bow and they produce the proper volume. They do no start though as easily as the BC. Their pizz sound is excellent and if your bass likes high tensioned strings they are floor shakers. They represent the best compromise and i use them extensively in my gig bass, for both arco and pizz work. Some days ago i played unamplified with a piano, a trumpet and drums and i hold my own without destroying my fingers. Their only drawback is their lifespan, which seems to be shorter than the competition. My first set died after one year of moderate use. The second set approaches the year next month but for the moment they sound beautifully. Well, we'll see..and i'll keep you informed.
Mike

MaxJohnson · #11 05-03-2011, 01:35 PM

I had been using Evah's for the past couple months and just put on a set of Bel Cantos (minus the E string, because I don't have one) and on my bass the Bel Cantos are clearer, louder, and easier on the bow. Big loud sound on my instrument. I tried them because 3 other bassists in my section were using them. Definitely the best of the Thomastik strings I've ever played.

Fran Diaz · #12 05-03-2011, 11:53 PM

Thanks for your input.

How would you compare their tension?

Have you compare them to the Flexocor? That's what I have on my bass at the moment and I'm not thrilled with the pizz sound, I have to dig hard to get a decent volume and tone.

TheKirkNasty · #13 10-28-2011, 07:52 PM

Don't forget that your "touch" can also affect the tone of the string.

Blakewdm · #14 10-28-2011, 09:48 PM

poundissimo is best attained on flex originals, on my bass, but I am using the belcantos right now on my top two strings, They have a really nice sound, but a low threshold for how far they can be pushed, eva's seem to be fatter and louder, the long e gets a good growl too. But the Evas seem to feel like crap under my left hand so im sticking to flex and belcanto

**Francois Blais** · #15 10-29-2011, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blakewdm

But the Evas seem to feel like crap under my left hand so im sticking to flex and belcanto

Feel like crap?
What do you mean?

Paul New · #16 10-29-2011, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francois Blais

Feel like crap?
What do you mean?

squishy??

Blakewdm · #17 10-30-2011, 07:19 AM

yeah. squishy, not quite enough tension

Hector Wolff · #18 11-03-2011, 03:37 PM

I have been playing the regular EPs (arco in orchestra) for several years - before that I played the more traditional flexicores. I never could understand the complaints I have read about too much tension in the EPs - because compared to the flexicores they were nice and soft.

I just bought, but have not yet used, the Belcantos and was worried that they might be too soft for me.

I also have read quite consistently here that the Belcantos have more fundamental - which should make it easier to judge one's intonation, not harder.

I know the EPs have a loud sound, and a rich but complex tone with lots of overtones and it can be hard to hear the true fundamental with them.

tomshepp · #19 11-04-2011, 12:44 AM

I changed from Evahs to Belcanto and have had them on for only about two weeks. The E string seems very different from the other three. On my bass it's very bright/twangy. Not what I expected from these. Has anyone else experienced this? Could it be a defective string?

Fran Diaz · #20 11-04-2011, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomshepp

I changed from Evahs to Belcanto and have had them on for only about two weeks. The E string seems very different from the other three. On my bass it's very bright/twangy. Not what I expected from these. Has anyone else experienced this? Could it be a defective string?

I've had Belcantos on my bass for six months and the E string sounds well matched with the other three strings.