Pirastro Pizzicato

[dblbss]

Just wondering if anyone has tried Pirasto's Pizzicato strings and how they sound. They seem pretty pricey.

[neal davis]

they are nice but I had some come unwrapped pretty easy, easier than olivs which says alot. nice but weren't that reliable when I had them, maybe they have improved, I also had the metal wrapped ones not the nylon like the old golden spirals

[Phil Rowan]

I used them a while back. They had a nice, dark growl to them (very growly, but in a gut strings way). If they didn't cost my rent I'd probably use them again on my Kay.

[61pollmann]

Are any dealers still carrying the Pizzicatos? I heard that many dealers gave up on them.

[Jeremy Allen]

I use the nylon-wrapped G and D. They're great--like Golden Spirals, and there are no unwrapping issues as there are with the metal-wound ones.

I think Upton has them. I got mine directly from Pirastro; they're very helpful if you're having trouble locating strings.

[Bobby King]

I love the darn things! I've put away all but one of my Gamuts and I currently have Pizzicatos for my E, A and D (all silver wound) and Gamut plain gut G. The only problem I've ever had in the past with Pizzicatos was with an A string breaking (and this happened twice) I've never had any come unwound. For me, they have a true gut sound and feel, as opposed to Anima and Garbo, and they are brighter and livelier than Eudoxa or Olive, their wrap is a little less flatwound, but not roundwound either. Unlike a traditional roundwound E&A/plain D&G set, they produce well-defined notes throughout the whole range and I can use them for everything from jazz to bluegrass. However, they are poor as an arco string, and I imagine that they could be a little too "jazzy" for hardcore bluegrassers or slappers.

I know that Quinn Violins isn't currently carrying them, but several other retailers have them. They are expensive! Southwest Strings had them on clearance and I bought a bunch of them recently. I hope that Pirastro keeps making them and manages to improve the quality control issues.

BTW, for those of you who've had problems with the silver-wound Pizzicatos, which strings came unwound or separated and where on the string?

[Monki]

Originally Posted by Bobby King

I love the darn things! I've put away all but one of my Gamuts and I currently have Pizzicatos for my E, A and D (all silver wound) and Gamut plain gut G. The only problem I've ever had in the past with Pizzicatos was with an A string breaking (and this happened twice) I've never had any come unwound. For me, they have a true gut sound and feel, as opposed to Anima and Garbo, and they are brighter and livelier than Eudoxa or Olive, their wrap is a little less flatwound, but not roundwound either. Unlike a traditional roundwound E&A/plain D&G set, they produce well-defined notes throughout the whole range and I can use them for everything from jazz to bluegrass. However, they are poor as an arco string, and I imagine that they could be a little too "jazzy" for hardcore bluegrassers or slappers.

Just curious..how poor as an arco string? About as Anima/Garbos? better worse? Asking because I might be able to get a set quite cheap... might be a dealer sell-out..

[Bobby King]

Originally Posted by Monki

Just curious..how poor as an arco string? About as Anima/Garbos? better worse? Asking because I might be able to get a set quite cheap... might be a dealer sell-out..

You can bow on them, about like Anima. They have a bowed gut kind of sound, but maybe a little more "hollow" with the bow. OK for practice or a little jazz-solo stuff. Definitely not for orchestral work.

If you can get a set at a good price, I'd give them a try. I really like these strings. I now also have the nylon-wrapped G with my set. They've been on for a few months now and I haven't had any problems with windings, etc.

[wendell]

Can anyone compare the sound of the metal-wrapped vs. the nylon wrapped Pizzicato strings?

[Bobby King]

Originally Posted by wendell

Can anyone compare the sound of the metal-wrapped vs. the nylon wrapped Pizzicato strings?

Only the G and D are available in the nylon wrapped. Those are a lot like Golden Spirals, that is -- much like a plain gut string except a little brighter, and the nylon adds a little tension and protects them from moisture, etc. The metal wrap is going to give you more sustain and brightness. The Pizzicato metal-wrapped G can get a little of the "mwah" sound going and you may or may not want that. I'm using the nylon G because I like the guttier sound on the G. I use the metal D for two reasons -- I like that the pitch stays clear and not too thuddy as you go up the neck, and also the Pizzicato nylon-wrapped D is very thick in diameter and may require some bridge slot widening/lowering.

[Monki]

That low price was a typo on the dealers webpage..darn!

Anyway, any thoughts on how that plastic version G behave under the bow? Want something in the place of a obligato G - too thin-sounding for my taste. Or an Olive G maybe? Or getting a set of Animas.. Almost wish I was broke..no money no problems...

[Bobby King]

The Olive G is great, thicker diamater, thicker tone and great for arco.

[Monki]

Originally Posted by Bobby King

The Olive G is great, thicker diamater, thicker tone and great for arco.

Yeah, the Oliv G is tempting..only thing I'm worrying is about it breaking...

[Bobby King]

I've had Olives last a long time with no problems. Try to avoid taking it off and back on a whole lot and keep the bridge and nut slots lubricated with graphite.

[Bobby King]

I now have the silver wound G on my bass as well so it's a full set of silver wound Pizzicatos. Previously I had a plain gut G and then the Pizzicato nylon wound G. Amplified, there was a noticable difference in tone with those, generally more boomy, and the silver wound is working better. It still sounds plenty "gutty" too. I continue to really like these strings! I haven't had any problems with them this time around either.

[Monki]

OK, not the subject of the thread, but I did get the Oliv G. Love it. Careful instalation and I see no reason to remove it ever (), so I hope it will last..