The Pistoy Gamut Gut Thread

[Marcus Johnson]

Oh! Well, Bill, it was a figurative "minute"... I actually played a gig with the Pistoy on the bass. (not amplifed.... using Gamuts of any kind vastly expanded the number of gigs I could play without the amp) I've no doubt that I could live happily with the sound of the Pistoy G. In fact, its superior arco response might very well tip the scales in its favor. I think it's possible that I would choose a slightly heavier gauge if I did.

For me, choosing between a Pistoy or Lyon is sort of like being forced to choose between a Rolls Royce and a Bentley.

[engedi1]

Just a quick update. I am trying a new rosin, Oak soft. Bowing the Gamut pistoy is hugely improved (and my velvets as well) over using the Pops I was using. Smoother, more powerful, better clarity, all around better. Of course my pops was a little older and not quite like new condition, but I am notice big results with the Oak rosin.

[shwashwa]

im going to make this exact post in 2 or 3 different threads that ive been involved about the gamut strings so that people can an example of what they sound like on my bass just to get an idea. i got to hear a brief recording of them before i bought them and it helped with my decision alot. im only going to leave the clips up for a few days because i feel weird about having clips of me practicing out there on the interwebs. the bass is a chinese snow bass, fully carved round back. i have Gamut Pistoy Medium G and light D strings and corelli 370 F A and E. the both clips were recorded with flat EQ but with the high pass filter in the middle position on the Headway Preamp that i was using. I used 2 different Mics incase the mic added too much color. the first clip is with a cheapo carvin condenser, and the second clip i used the DPA clip on without the high pass filter built in. if this were a real recording for an album or something i would have adjusted the EQ alittle on both clips.
i played alot in thumb position because the problem i was trying to solve on this bass was a weak thumb position volume and i wanted to hear how it sounded. i have not played any gigs with them yet, but so far at home im quite happy. please excuse the playing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBCU3ioIYhM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5I75Gwq9kY

[engedi1]

Nice tone Steve, especially on the first clip. The sustain you are getting, and the singing tone is very nice, very much the tone I am looking for. Thanks for posting.

[Mark Perna]

That was great! You should leave them up. Put more up as the strings settle in. You could chart the sonic difference over time.

mark

[shwashwa]

thanks guys, im pretty happy with them so far. i cant really detect when im playing on the steel strings versus the guts in the recordings. im thinking they blend pretty well. did you guys notice a big difference in the tone of the different strings?

[MarkH]

Hi,

I'm thinking of buying a Pistoy light D string to replace the D string of my Carlos Chorda set.
Do you guys recommend varnished or unvarnished?

Thanks,

Mark.

[William Hoffman]

Originally Posted by MarkH

Hi,

I'm thinking of buying a Pistoy light D string to replace the D string of my Carlos Chorda set.
Do you guys recommend varnished or unvarnished?

Thanks,

Mark.

Hi Mark

Here's what Dan says about the advantages of varnished/non-varnished. Varnished Strings - Gamut Music, Inc. | Early Music Strings and Historical Instruments

I have tried both and cannot say it made much difference for me, except that varnished feel a bit smoother and seem to have almost zero maintenance issues like hairs needing trimming. But then, neither did the unvarnished. I guess for someone with PH sweat issues, acid, etc., it would make a difference.

Cheers

Bill

[MarkH]

Thanks Bill,

Very kind of you respond.

Mark.

[JayB]

So, against my better judgement, I am curious about trying the pistoy A once again. How are you guys who have recently tried the high-end plain A strings hanging in there? How quick is it compared to, say, the pistoy D or an Anima?

[DC Bass]

I got my medium Pistoy A in the first week of the new year- LOVE IT!!!

Sometimes it's it little "thunky"- is that a word? IDK- lacking definition when compared to the D and G Pistoys- but not all the time- it's tough to nail down too, cause it's unpredictable as to when I might experience the phenomenon...but it's not a big deal.

It's pretty pitch stable- it may vary as much as a quarter tone up or down depending on temperature or humidity- but no more or less than the D and G.

It's nice arco too!!!

A few weeks after the A I had to replace my used Gamut silver wound E- I went with copper just to try it. It sounds great and balances well with the Pistoys- I would buy a Pistoy E if Dan would make one though!

To sum up- it's GREAT!!!

Joe

[shwashwa]

still loving my pistoys as more than ever. i was anti-gut for so many years too. now im trying to decide which of my other basses to put them on next

[JayB]

Yeah, I really love the light+ Pistoy D. It was really a game-changer on my bass. I (generally) go for a more old-school sound, so I pair it with a Chorda G and it matches great in pretty much every way. Love my Anima E and A, but the idea of more gut is always intriguing because its so loud, warm, and easy on my hands. I like more tension on the E, so a gut E will always be out of the question.

Joe, could you speak to the "quickness" of the A? A slight lack of clarity is fine, but if its too slow for fast stuff I'm toast. I do a lot of gypsy jazz and stuff thats requires walking at psychotic tempos.

The last time I tried the Pistoy A, I had my Lyon Gamut guts and a Garbo light E. I have found better strings for my bass now in Animas, Pistoys, and Chordas so maybe its time for another go and have it respond better than the last tour of service?

[DC Bass]

Jason,

I haven't noticed it being significantly slower than any of the other strings in the set- I have a gig in a few hours, I will try to be mindful of it and get back to you.

Joe

[William Hoffman]

Originally Posted by DC Bass

...Sometimes it's it little "thunky"- is that a word? IDK- lacking definition when compared to the D and G Pistoys- but not all the time- it's tough to nail down too, cause it's unpredictable as to when I might experience the phenomenon...but it's not a big deal.

It's pretty pitch stable- it may vary as much as a quarter tone up or down depending on temperature or humidity- but no more or less than the D and G...

Joe, I had the same experience.

"Thunkiness" -- I don't know if it is the string settling in or if it's my ear getting used to its sound, but the Pistoy does not sound thunky anymore (it has been on my bass since October). It sounds clear and precise to my ear. It could be that the proportionately greater fundamental on the A (compared to say a Spiro) is what gives the initial thunky impression, sort of an ear-illusion.

Stability -- I have had very little tuning to do this winter on the Pistoy A due to fluctuations in humidity, just a tweak maybe once a day, but even then only an 8th of a turn at most. The Pistoy GDA and Gamut wound E sounds great and is the best gut set I've ever had. The E needs tuning, but the rest are fairly stable. If anybody is hesitating to try a plain gut A only because of tuning issues... don't.

Responsiveness -- the Pistoy A (like the G and D) responds immediately under the bow.

Tension -- My bass likes the low tension of this set, too. More response, volume, better sound.

Cheers,

Bill

[DC Bass]

Hey Jason,

Just got back from a great straight ahead trio gig! I tried to pay close attention to the Pistoy A- and I gotta tell ya, I really don't notice it being any slower than the rest of the set pizz. It's definitely slow compared to the steel on my classical bass- but once I adjust to the whole "gut thing" I don't feel it standing out in any way- it matches the set in just about every regard- I guess there is a little variance between the wound E and the A- but nothing that bothers me.

Bill,

Funny you mention the Thunk- I was really digging the sound of the A on my gig- no Thunk at all! Everyone is behaving in the tuning department too- well, except for the wound E, bless it's heart. It will go a half step up or down depending on the weather- but the change is slow- I notice the drift first thing in the morning or after I get back from the day job- I don't notice it freaking out on gigs.

Arco- Holy Cow!!! The A is SWEET!!! They all are actually! The guys in the group didn't want me to put the bow down at all today!

At first I had the Pistoy D and G on my bass, and they could do no wrong arco- but when I put the A on- they got a little squirrely on me. The A was cool, but the D and G would squeak a little every now and then at times they wouldn't have prior to the A making the scene...psycho somatic? Tension weirdness? IDK- but it's working itself out- or I'm learning how to compensate. I think I'm starting to enjoy bowing gut more than steel!!!

Anyhow- Jason, be careful listening to me- I'm all punch drunk on Pistoy Kool-Ade!

Joe

[William Hoffman]

Joe

oh yeah, lovin the sound of the Pistoy ADG too. I've got a copper wound "heavy" E on there. It is a big sound and matches the Pistoys tension wise, sound wise a bit brighter because of the winding, but for an E that extra brightness is nice.

I do not understand why the new A makin' the scene would make the D and G squeak. their maybe jealous of the new girl in town? never had that and don't see the connection, unless it is a set up issue or maybe the way you bow is a bit different now? you gotta explain that one a bit more.

be well

Bill

[DC Bass]

Bill,

Yeah, it didn't make a lick of sense to me either! Here is the chronology:

I bought the bass from a friend, and he had it set up with a Spiro Weich E and Eurosonic lights. Fun set up, but I couldn't bow the Eurosonics to save my life.

In my gut (lol!) I kinda knew that I needed to go with gut to get a string that would let me pizz and slap that I would still be able to bow- but I tried Spiro Solo's tuned to orch pitch first- nice, but they didn't move air the way the Eurosonics did.

So, after some meandering around I decided to give some plain guts a shot- bought various things from the TB classifieds and knew I was on to something when the first Pistoy arrived! That was the light G. Sweet heaven! It was everything I wanted, and bowed like like a steel string- never a peep out of it that wasn't musical.

Then after trying some D's I settled on a used Pistoy medium- again, sweet heaven! I found "normal" guts to be harsh under the bow- even the Gamut Lyon- they all sounded like a Paul Chambers arco solo- and I don't mean that as a negative! I LOVE PC, but if I can have gut that bows like steel as the Pistoys seemed to, sign me up!

I tried a new DD plain A- it didn't work for me- it was like "all the other guts" on my set up.

Then I got the new medium Pistoy A- and while it was great in every way, the D and G got weird in the arco department.

Jealousy? Maybe!!! lol!

I figured it would pass, so then I got a Gamut silver wound medium E used- sadly, the windings came loose after a while, so I replaced it with the copper medium E after unsuccessfully begging Dan to make me a Pistoy E.

With this set up, the D and G slowly started to settle back in to where they are today...they still will let out a screach if I am not careful. All the while, the E and A strings bow easily and never squeek at all!

Joe

[William Hoffman]

Originally Posted by DC Bass

...so I replaced it with the copper medium E after unsuccessfully begging Dan to make me a Pistoy E.

Joe, what did Dan say about making a plain/Pistoy E?

[DC Bass]

When I first got my Pistoy A, I tried tuning it to E first- just to see if it would do it. It would hold the pitch okay- but it was kinda flabby, and didn't have a lot of volume.

I reported this to Dan, and asked if he made Pistoy E's. He said that he had made a few in the past, but that they were poorly received- that the buyers weren't happy with them, and that they were cost prohibitive to make.

I sent him another email asking if he would consider making me one anyway- telling him that I didn't care about the cost, and that I would not hold it against him if I didn't like it- cause I knew I would- but even if I didn't, it would be my problem, not his! I went on to tell him that I really believe in the Pistoy design- which I do!

He responded first with thanks- but he said that due to the way they make strings, he couldn't just make one- that he would have to make "a run" of them to make it viable. He didn't say how many constituted "a run"- but he apologized, and invited me to check the web site periodically just in case he ever did decide to make some of them.

SO- maybe if we get a bunch of people who are seriously interested in buying them to inquire- Dan will make some!!!

Joe