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Double Bass EUB String question: Evah Pirazzi type string, but with steel core

kumimajava

kumimajava

May 19, 2010
604
821
Tokyo, Japan
#1
I got a well-used set of a Evah Pirazzi 'weich' strings to try, and really liked the sound they made on the NS CR4M.

However, since the core is non-magnetic, the magnetic pickups on the CR4M don't add any additional sound flexibility.

Since I have very limited experience of EUB/DB strings, would be curious to hear recommendations as to which strings would sound/feel the most simliar to the Evah Pirazzi, but with a steel core, so that the magentic pickups could be used.

And - as a follow-up question: would there be any 34-inch / Omni lenght strings, which you'd deem as having a similar sound to the EP's?

Any input warmly welcome :)
 
#3
kento said:
Have you ever tried pirastro Perpetual? They are skinnier than Evahs so you’ll love Starks on G and D.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response.

I also emailed Pirastro directly, and they suggested the Perpetuals, or the Obligatos. I'm in the process of trying to find out a bit more about both of these strings, before maing a decision :)

It is slightly confusing, though, since the Gollihur website says NOT to use Obligatos on magnetic pickups - whereas Pirastro themselves seem to think it's ok (including their wesite, and their email to me).

@Mark Gollihur : would be curious to hear your experience with the Obligatos, and why you'd not recommend them for magnetic pickups :)
 
#4
Perpetuals are a lot brighter.
I would try Eurosonic/Presto Nylonwound or Jazzicato. They have a steel core and are more damped due to the synthetic windings. But not if you seriously want to bow.
As a bowed string perhaps Jargar or another damped string developed primarily for bowing.
It won’t be the same, but probably as close as you can get with a steel core string.

For the 34” BG strings a synthetic (tape) wound string. But again it would not come as close as with the larger scale.
 
#5
Obligatos have a synthetic core just like Evahs, you might get some signal on a mag pickup from the wrap, but it’s not ideal.

You might consider solo gauge steel strings tuned down to standard. They would have the softer feel and darker tone closer to the Evah weichs than what you’ll get on most standard tuning strings.
 
#6
I have a Yamaha EUB and I love using Thomastik Superflexible solo gauge strings with this instrument.

They have a steel core, but they are very flexible and can give you a bit more of a gut like response. They sound and respond well with the bow too. Not toozingy but great definition in the sound, and they are cheaper than most strings.

Before the Superflexibles I had a set of Eurosonic strings on the Yamaha that I thought sounded good too but they didn’t work well with the bow.

If you are interested I’m selling the Eurosonic set in the classifieds here:

For Sale - String clearance - Oliv, Perpetual, Evah P. Slap, Permanent, Eurosonic

The best strings for an Omni bass I used to own were the GHS Precision Flats light gauge 45-95. Sounded very upright like and bowed well too.
 
#7
Dr. Love said:
Obligatos have a synthetic core just like Evahs, you might get some signal on a mag pickup from the wrap, but it’s not ideal.

You might consider solo gauge steel strings tuned down to standard. They would have the softer feel and darker tone closer to the Evah weichs than what you’ll get on most standard tuning strings.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the idea of downtuning 'solo' strings - I was wondering whether that might be possible, but wasn't sure :) So now I know!
 
#8
hensonbass said:
I have a Yamaha EUB and I love using Thomastik Superflexible solo gauge strings with this instrument.

They have a steel core, but they are very flexible and can give you a bit more of a gut like response. They sound and respond well with the bow too. Not toozingy but great definition in the sound, and they are cheaper than most strings.

Before the Superflexibles I had a set of Eurosonic strings on the Yamaha that I thought sounded good too but they didn’t work well with the bow.

If you are interested I’m selling the Eurosonic set in the classifieds here:

For Sale - String clearance - Oliv, Perpetual, Evah P. Slap, Permanent, Eurosonic

The best strings for an Omni bass I used to own were the GHS Precision Flats light gauge 45-95. Sounded very upright like and bowed well too.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions. I would like them to work with the bow too, so I'll have look for the superflexibles.

Luckily, for the Omni scale, the precision flats are easy to find :)
 
#11
kumimajava said:
@Mark Gollihur : would be curious to hear your experience with the Obligatos, and why you'd not recommend them for magnetic pickups :)
Click to expand...

It's because IME, they don't work. The chromesteel alloy used for the windings doesn't seem to have enough ferrous material to get them to register worth a darn on a mag pickup. A somewhat similar string - the Zyex from D'Addario - uses a chromesteel winding as well, and apparently it's either thicker or has more iron, because they work (but with significantly less output than steel strings.)

YMMV, but we didn't feel they provided usable output.
 
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#12
Mark Gollihur said:
It's because IME, they don't work. The chromesteel alloy used for the windings doesn't seem to have enough ferrous material to get them to register worth a darn on a mag pickup. A somewhat similar string - the Zyex from D'Addario - uses a chromesteel winding as well, and apparently it's either thicker or has more iron, because they work (but with significantly less output than steel strings.)

YMMV, but we didn't feel they provided usable output.
Click to expand...


Thanks for writing back - I have a feeling that you have a lot more experience with 'magnetic' uprights than Pirastro themselves, so I'll take your word for it :) No need for me to YMMV-the-wheel again ;)

Curiously, though, the Pirastro Chromesteels DO seem to work on the magnetic pickups, though the output is a bit less than the D'Addarios. But within the bounds of what can be balanced wihtin the onboard trim, it seems
 
#13
The Chromesteels have a steel core that has a lot more ferrous material than the windings. If this is replaced by non-ferrous material like synthetic, not much is left.
That steel strings can differ in ferrous material depends on the (inner) windings that are often not made of ferrous metals or the amount of nickel that is more ferrous than steel/iron.
 
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#15
DoubleMIDI said:
The Chromesteels have a steel core that has a lot more ferrous material than the windings. If this is replaced by non-ferrous material like synthetic, not much is left.
That steel strings can differ in ferrous material depends on the (inner) windings that are often not made of ferrous metals or the amount of nickel that is more ferrous than steel/iron.
Click to expand...

Thansk for highlighting this - indeed, the steel core would add a lot to the magnetic output :)
 

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