Oliv Evah Spiro Combo

[Brennan]

So I'm having trouble justifying $300+ for another set of Velvets. I love the Garbo's but miss being able to bow the G string. Also, the E string seems slightly less powerful than the others. Otherwise, I love the feel and sound.
I've heard great things about the Olive G and I like the Spiro mittle E when it settles in. I was thinking of pairing that with the Evahs on the A and D but I'm not sure that would be a good match in terms of tension, volume and feel.
Another option would be all Spiros and the Olive. Or Permanent A with a an Olive D and G. My bass is pretty dark as well.
Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Geoff.

[MilesC]

A gut-synthetic-steel combo sounds...interesting. If your bass is darker, I would use Permanants because they are considered to be on the brighter side of the spectrum. So maybe and Oliv G with Permanent D/A and a Spiro E.

[Uncletoad]

Permanents are dark compared to Spirocores but Bright compared to Flexocors.

There is a spot where all these string combos point to setup issues rather than string issues.

I understand swapping out a string or two here or there on a bass that has quirks. But at some point if you have 3 or 4 different kind of strings on there something else is amiss.

I'd start with a favorite set of something like all Spiro or all Flexocor or all Evah Pirrazzi and then substitute if something just never settles in or can't be set up around.

For instance, Spiro E EP A/D and Olive G is just a mess. Why not a full set of EP? If that's to dark a full set of Spiros. Ok so you really love the Oliv G, I dig that. Put that on top of a set of Spiros or a set of Evahs.

I'm the poster child for that kind of experimentation and what I am slowly and stubbornly discovering is I should find a set of strings I like and spend several years learning how to play them. Move my technique toward the string rather than keep changing strings to find that elusive thing...

YMMV.

[Marcus Johnson]

I think an Oliv G on top of a set of Evahs would be happening, though the Evah G is fine for me. Some people think the Evah E is weak, but I don't. I guess a well broken in Spiro E would be cool as well.

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

Permanents are dark compared to Flexocor but not to Spirocores.

Hi Uncle.
I guess you meant "Permanents are bright compared to Flexocor but not to Spirocores." ?

The lower Permanents (A&E) are not that bright though.

Best,
François

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by Francois Blais

Hi Uncle.
I guess you meant "Permanents are bright compared to Flexocor but not to Spirocores." ?

The lower Permanents (A&E) are not that bright though.

Best,
François

Yup. Duh. I'll fix that.

[Phil Rowan]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I think an Oliv G on top of a set of Evahs would be happening

I used this set up for a while. The Oliv G worked better on my bass than the EP G.

[Jeremy Allen]

Originally Posted by Brennan

I've heard great things about the Olive G and I like the Spiro mittle E when it settles in. I was thinking of pairing that with the Evahs on the A and D but I'm not sure that would be a good match in terms of tension, volume and feel.

I've done that combo and it's perfectly wonderful.

Originally Posted by Brennan

Another option would be all Spiros and the Olive.

My current set-up. Also totally great. It just depends on your bass--I've had two instruments on which spiro mittels were too light and wimpy, and the Evahs were perfect. On my current bass, spiros are perfect, and I would be hesitant to put the Evahs on because they might be too much for that bass. (Or they might be amazing; I'll try it sometime.)

[Marcus Johnson]

Probably worth mentioning that Brennan, the OP, was reluctant to spend 300-ish on strings. Anytime we start talking about Olivs, the bottom line goes up a bunch. So it depends on what the budget is as well.

That doesn't change the fact that the Pirastro Oliv G is the finest bass string to have ever graced the planet.

[Bobby King]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

That doesn't change the fact that the Pirastro Oliv G is the finest bass string to have ever graced the planet.

It is a fine string! But the rest of the set, save maybe the D is not very usable except for arco. So you always seem to have that G paired with different strings of some kind.

It seems among string fussers, there are the E replacers, and the G replacers. Then there are the "united strings of Benneton" guys who mix and match 'till the cows come home.

Here's a mix someone told they were using recently: Plain gut G, Anima D, Obligato A and Spirocore E.

Whatever people start with on the G, they tend to want to go brighter and with more definition as they move to the lower strings. Pick your starting point and choose your cocktail!

The typical periodic table of string mixing:

gut >> G >> gut-like >> D >> synthetic >> A >> steel >> E

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by Bobby King

The typical periodic table of string mixing:

gut >> G >> gut-like >> D >> synthetic >> A >> steel >> E

That's great!

[Brennan]

The typical periodic table of string mixing:

gut >> G >> gut-like >> D >> synthetic >> A >> steel >> E

True. I want to try the Olive and I like the Spiro E. Its the grade in between that I would like to figure out. I remember (back in the day) not loving the feel of the Spiro D.

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Probably worth mentioning that Brennan, the OP, was reluctant to spend 300-ish on strings. Anytime we start talking about Olivs, the bottom line goes up a bunch. So it depends on what the budget is as well.

After I added it up, it's still a good $80 less than the Velvets. I shouldn't complain given the amount of use I get out of a typical set of strings. it probably adds up to about a dollar a gig. It's actually less about the dough although $300 for strings seems outrageous.

That doesn't change the fact that the Pirastro Oliv G is the finest bass string to have ever graced the planet.

Thanks everyone for your insightful posts. Geoff

[Brennan]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Allen

I've done that combo and it's perfectly wonderful.




My current set-up. Also totally great. It just depends on your bass--I've had two instruments on which spiro mittels were too light and wimpy, and the Evahs were perfect. On my current bass, spiros are perfect, and I would be hesitant to put the Evahs on because they might be too much for that bass. (Or they might be amazing; I'll try it sometime.)

Great Info. I'll have to give one of those a shot. I had a bunch of stuff back to back and i wasn't at liberty to experiment but I just got off the gig tonight and I'm way past due for a change. Thanks.

[bass dan]

i am currently using a spiro mittle E with evah's on the rest. i was swapping out quite a bit to find what works best on my bass. not sure if this is my final solution, but decided to give them a fair shake and leave them on for a good period of time and work with them instead of giving in to string GAS. someone said it earlier in this thread and i am becoming a believer, it's in the hands not the strings. although i will at some point try the olive G just to see what majic that string may have.

[jrlynch]

ok, you weasels talked me into trying the olive G with the evahs. damn, it sounds fabulous. well worth the silly money.

now, what E is wonderful, but doesn't feel like playing a telephone pole like the stark ...

jeff.

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by jrlynch

ok, you weasels talked me into trying the olive G with the evahs. damn, it sounds fabulous. well worth the silly money.

now, what E is wonderful, but doesn't feel like playing a telephone pole like the stark ...

jeff.

My favorite E strings in no particular order....

Stark Spiro
Mittel Spiro
Dominant
Evah Pirazzi
Anima
Permanent.

Hey, interesting thread idea....

[MR PC]

Here's an idea.....get a nice Englehart set up with Spiro Mittles. Become a patron for your local high school or junior college rehearsal band and offer the bass for use there with the stipulation that every 6-9 months you need to remove the Mittles and replace them with a new set. An honest way to let other people break in your string stash.

Oliv, Evah, Spiro combo......I'm getting Vertigo thinking about it.

[AndreasH]

Brennan,

I'm at the same crossroads with my Garbos. I'm going to try Oliv D+G and Evah's E+A next week. I'm getting a used D and G string from my teacher.