presto strings?

[rob f johnson]

has anyone tried these strings? www.presto-strings.com
and if so what are they like?
they look intresting but not alot of info on them.
rob

[ctxbass]

I think those are the same as Eurosonics. Plenty of info available on those.

[Dave Whitla]

I had a set on my EUB that came with it. For use with a bow the Prestos are not good at all IMHO. They suggest sanding them to make them more bowable, but it only helped a little. I would recommend against them if you use a bow much.

For pizz, they weren't too bad, but they were very different feeling from steel strings. I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt but in the end the bowing issue made it a no brainer and I've put Obligatos on and I'm happy with them. This was for an EUB, but I'm aiming to make it sound and feel as much like my db as possible, so maybe the comments are relevant...

[Francois Blais]

For those interested, Presto are working on new strings with a metal outer wrap.
From the http://www.presto-strings.com/ website:

Upcoming new products:
Presto Balance for double bass

Presto Balance
Our newest developpment, the Presto Balance chromesteel double bass strings, will soon be available. We will offer the Balance strings in two models: Balance Orchestra (optimized for arco playing), and Balance Jazzicato (optimized for pizzicato playing).

==============================================

I got a prototype set of the Orchestra set, in Medium gauge, and these strings are excellent for pizz playing!
The E was somewhat dull but it has been reworked and a new one will be sent to me.
The finish is of outstanding quality; extra smooth and highly polished.

More to come later, but keep an eye on these strings!

François

P.S. I'm not affiliated in any way to the company.

[bassist14]

Originally Posted by rob f johnson

has anyone tried these strings? www.presto-strings.com
and if so what are they like?
they look intresting but not alot of info on them.
rob

hi rob,
i have a set presto light on my kay since yesterday. i´m very surprised. they stay in tune very well, pizz sound and feel is imho very gut like, and they are much better under the bow than i expected after reading in several bassforums.
i like them. (this beeing said at the second day...)

[drurb]

I was reading the little blurb last night on Presto strings in the latest Double Bassist. This description caught my eye:

The Balance double bass strings are crafted with steel rope cores and wrapped with chromesteel. They break in quickly and achieve a stable tuning within a very short time.

Oh my! Steel rope cores. Hmm, could it be like this?

Has anyone tried these? Could something like my Lycons have come back? I know, I'm dreaming.

[KSB - Ken Smith]

JR Music sent me some prototypes a year or so ago and I tested them. They were being made for them by Presto. I don't know if Presto sells the exact same set but I guess it's possible. In America, JR Music has the exclusive from Presto and has their own brand known as Eurosonics. The problem is that they carry the same name as the plastic wrap Strings sold by both JR/Eurosonic and Presto in Europe. The difference in the name is the word "Orchestra" on the package.

I helped them (JR) develop this new Orchestra String last year and have used them on several Basses. My Son has the only medium gauge set on his Shen Bass. I think JR only has what they call 'light gauge'. I prefer to call them 'regular tension' as they don't feel light, they feel normal. The Medium set feels stiffer but with almost the same thickness as measured. I call them 'high tension' instead of Medium. I also has several E-strings made to balance out that 'floppy E' problem we so often find. I don't know exactly what's in the Presto packages but in the sets I get, they balance just fine.

If you are in USA or Canada, you want the Eurosonics. JR's website has a dealer location listing to help you find them. I have had them for over a year now and think they fit right in with all the other great strings. Just a different flavor.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

If you are in USA or Canada, you want the Eurosonics.

Thanks, Ken. Ah, I see that the Eurosonic Orchestra strings on the JR site are akin to the Presto "Balance" Orchestra string ("mediums"). Presto has a set in the "Balance" line called the "Hybrid." They're labeled "light." They are also steel rope-core wrapped with chrome. Those are really the ones that I was most curious about.

[Richard_Ratner]

Originally Posted by drurb

Thanks, Ken. Ah, I see that the Eurosonic Orchestra strings on the JR site are akin to the Presto "Balance" Orchestra string ("mediums"). Presto has a set in the "Balance" line called the "Hybrid." They're labeled "light." They are also steel rope-core wrapped with chrome. Those are really the ones that I was most curious about.

I would just like to set the record straight. Www.presto-strings.com is NOT the website of Presto, which has no website so far as I can see. It appears to be the website of Presto's German distributor. Our company, JR Music, is the distributor of Eurosonic in the US and Canada. Eurosonic is made by Presto. The Eurosonic orchestra strings are the result of significant input by Ken Smith. Ken and I worked together on these strings quite extensively, mostly in 2006. We now carry mainly the Eurosonic Orchestra Lights because Ken felt they were really the medium. We are in a testing phase of a hybrid Eurosonic string. I do not know whether these are the same as the Balance hybrids, or whether they have incorporated the Smith modifications into our hybrid.