Need an all purpose string - difficult, I know...

[douglas81]

Hey,

Until now, most of my bass gigs have been jazz and, over the past year or so, I've managed to arrive at a string combination that works for me - Spiro Mittel E, Spiro Weich A, Pirastro Permanent D, Pirastro Bel Canto G. Slightly odd combination, but one that seems to bring out the best in my bass. I like quite a growly (but not too buzzy) low end and slightly softer (less spiro-ish) top end, and this combination seems to work.

However, I'm doing more classical arco work. So far I've been able to get away with my current set up as the music, though classical, has been quite hybrid (Piazzolla, Gismonti), featuring a mix of pizz and arco. Also, the pizz passages tend to quite suit a more jazzy sound.

However, I'm about to embark upon a project of Bach, Handel, Vivaldi etc. - all continuo type stuff. Although it'll be pizz for some of it, there is going to be a lot more arco and, as such, I'm considering a more arco friendly setup.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) in any given week, I'm likely to playing in a variety of styles, so I'm looking for that wonder-string. I know this is something that is asked here quite a lot, but does anyone have any suggestions for my particular requirements. At the moment, my work is a 50/50 split jazz/classical. For a lot of the classical stuff, I play pizz, but not full on jazz pizz - i.e. I try and get more fundamental and less Spiro bzzzz.

Had a listen to http://www.hervejeanne.de/saitenmatrix.php and, for my tastes, the Eudoxas don't seem unlike the pizz sound I have with my current setup. How do they bow? Also, didn't mind the sound of the Obligatos.

Anyway, would be great to hear your suggestions. You can check out my profile for info on instrument etc.

Cheers,

Douglas.

[MilesC]

Well, when I listend to the string comparision matrix I was really impressed with the Obligatos. I was really amazed with their sustain. My stand partner has Obligatos on G/D and Permanents on A/E and I think it is really good combo. With that, you can get into the higher register with the Obligatos and have the strong Perament base. So, I'd recommend that set up or an entire set of either of those two. I love the Spirocore E as well though...

[bribass]

Originally Posted by douglas81

Hey,

Until now, most of my bass gigs have been jazz and, over the past year or so, I've managed to arrive at a string combination that works for me - Spiro Mittel E, Spiro Weich A, Pirastro Permanent D, Pirastro Bel Canto G. Slightly odd combination, but one that seems to bring out the best in my bass. I like quite a growly (but not too buzzy) low end and slightly softer (less spiro-ish) top end, and this combination seems to work.

However, I'm doing more classical arco work. So far I've been able to get away with my current set up as the music, though classical, has been quite hybrid (Piazzolla, Gismonti), featuring a mix of pizz and arco. Also, the pizz passages tend to quite suit a more jazzy sound.

However, I'm about to embark upon a project of Bach, Handel, Vivaldi etc. - all continuo type stuff. Although it'll be pizz for some of it, there is going to be a lot more arco and, as such, I'm considering a more arco friendly setup.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) in any given week, I'm likely to playing in a variety of styles, so I'm looking for that wonder-string. I know this is something that is asked here quite a lot, but does anyone have any suggestions for my particular requirements. At the moment, my work is a 50/50 split jazz/classical. For a lot of the classical stuff, I play pizz, but not full on jazz pizz - i.e. I try and get more fundamental and less Spiro bzzzz.

Had a listen to http://www.hervejeanne.de/saitenmatrix.php and, for my tastes, the Eudoxas don't seem unlike the pizz sound I have with my current setup. How do they bow? Also, didn't mind the sound of the Obligatos.

Anyway, would be great to hear your suggestions. You can check out my profile for info on instrument etc.

Cheers,

Douglas.

Douglas, That's an intersting combo.

I've been a long time Spiro user -Mittel /Weich w/ different G's, Flexocore, Superflexible etc. Over the years I've flirted w/ Permanents all across, Flatchromsteels, SF's etc.

Like you I've been playing lots of piz AND arco in many different types of situations.

Lately on my Prescott I've really come to enjoy Evah Pirazzis all accross. The best hybrid string I've tried. Warmer and more blossoming tones for piz w/less ping and buzz than Spiros. They do have some growl when needed, however. Outstanding for arco IMHO. Substantially easier to bow than Spiros especially on the lower strings.

The Evah Pirazzi Megathread here on TB has alot of my comments on them.

Right now on my German shop bass I have Thomastic Superflexibles all accross which is new to me. I'm liking that as a hybrid string as well. While a bit less pingy than Spiros they're brighter than the Evahs and bow pretty well too. The sound is a little more cutting than the Evahs, but still warm enough.

Brian

[Marcus Johnson]

I'm now willing to concede, after seven months of using them, that the Evah Pirazzis are the best all purpose string I've tried.... on my bass, for my purposes. YMMV of course. I'd happily endorse them if Pirastro asked me to.

I know not everyone will agree with me.

[salcott]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I'm now willing to concede, after seven months of using them, that the Evah Pirazzis are the best all purpose string I've tried.... on my bass, for my purposes. YMMV of course. I'd happily endorse them if Pirastro asked me to.

I know not everyone will agree with me.

Me, too.

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

the Evah Pirazzis are the best all purpose string I've tried

I agree. For my bass and my style I'm not so sure, but having played them on 3 different basses and listened to them both arco and pizz I think the compromises for all around playing are as good as I've seen.

[Francois Blais]

And what about the E string, guys?
The Obligato was weak, and often the case with Pirastro E's.

[bankerwithabass]

What about Helicore Hybrids-Medium I found them stiff in the beginning, but they have come around and I get really good sustain and growl but responds well to the bow. Maybe the E string might be the weakest one.

[Illbay]

Originally Posted by douglas81

Need an all purpose string

Like, for a washtub bass?

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by francois

And what about the E string, guys?
The Obligato was weak, and often the case with Pirastro E's.

I don't really like the E as a single string however as a set the whole set works together very well. Sort of a sum is greater than each part thing. I tried them as single strings in a couple spots and didn't like the way they worked with anything else but as a system they are very compelling.

...but yes the E string sucks as per usual with pirastro. Nice to know they are consistent.

[Wilbyman]

I was just in Bob Beerman's shop in Greensboro and he had Obligatos on every bass. I think they sounded great on most of the basses. The E-string (and whole set) sounds excellent on the plywood I got from him, which is alot bigger and boomieer sounding than my carved bass. I got a set of Obligatos for my carved and I really liked the A, D and G over the weichs it had previously been wearing. The E-string seemed kind of low tension and didn't speak very well on the carved. I put a Mittel E and A on instead. The E was a big improvement and the A was about the same. YMMV I guess.

Will

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by francois

And what about the E string, guys?
The Obligato was weak, and often the case with Pirastro E's.

You mean with the Evahs? Very nice on my bass. It seemed weak at first, but it blossomed pretty quickly. Now, it's as close to a perfect balance with the rest of the set that I've ever experienced. Big full fundamental with just the right amount of growl.

I'm not really after that super-aggressive, invading small countries E string thing. I like it to be balanced with the other strings in the tone and volume department. On my bass, the EPs are getting it done. They're a great level playing field, a neutral canvas that you can really work with. I can get plenty of sound out of the E string.

[Francois Blais]

Thanks for the comments, Marcus.
I don't like agressive E's either.

Best,
François

[douglas81]

Thanks for all the comments - much appreciated!

Interesting to see a lot of you mention the Evah Pirazzi strings. I didn't think much of them based on the string matrix (http://www.hervejeanne.de/saitenmatrix.php) thingy. They seem to have a nice strong fundamental, but I reckon they would lack something for straight walking, no? Anyone care to comment on whether the recording is a fair representation of the sound compared to the other strings (it seems like it was recorded a bit further back?).

Anyone directly compared the Evah Pirazzi strings to the Obligatos or Eudoxas?

Cheers,

Douglas.

[Don Higdon]

Originally Posted by douglas81

it) ... so I'm looking for that wonder-string. Cheers,

Douglas.

Why can't you be like the rest of us and own one of every string ever made?

[douglas81]

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

Why can't you be like the rest of us and own one of every string ever made?

[douglas81]

Another angle I've been toying with...

Oliv G & D and Spiro A & E

As mentioned, I currently have a Spiro A (weich) and E (mittel), so I'd only need to replace the top two.

I'm pretty happy with the sound of the bottwom two strings (they have been on there for a year, so they're nice and dark sounding.), but I find the A quite reluctant to start (arco). I doubt a Spiro Mittel would be any better...?

[Reuben]

You might be surprised.

[douglas81]

Originally Posted by Reuben

You might be surprised.

At what?

[bribass]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

You mean with the Evahs? Very nice on my bass. It seemed weak at first, but it blossomed pretty quickly. Now, it's as close to a perfect balance with the rest of the set that I've ever experienced. Big full fundamental with just the right amount of growl.

I'm not really after that super-aggressive, invading small countries E string thing. I like it to be balanced with the other strings in the tone and volume department. On my bass, the EPs are getting it done. They're a great level playing field, a neutral canvas that you can really work with. I can get plenty of sound out of the E string.

I agree. I have no problem w/ the Evah E at all. I might add that it seems to put out viable tones higher up the neck as compared to Spiros and other E's.
On my German carved I did try it next to Superflex A,D and G and it was very different sounding than the other 3, but in the Evah set it works great. I find the Evah E and A way more bowable than Spiro Mitts.

Oh, and playing time on them is a gas!

BG