Double Bass Evah Pirazzi strings megathread part I

[RShew]

So my progress is i the same vein as Jeremy. I think these strings are great. Over the past 2 weeks I have went from Oliv G and D to only Oliv G and then to all EP's. The sound is really organic and fat.

I must say thought, I find them muddy amplified. I have both a realist and a FC on my bass . The FC does better but both result in a bit o'mud (using a GK micro or AI Focus).

I also think the tension is getting to me. The G and D are stiff. I threw on a Dominant G and D the other day and I think they are looser feeling than these IMO. I had a bunch of gigs over the past week and my hand is really hurting (left hand). I have been using guts for so long that I have just gotten really used to the feel and flexibility. I think with enough time these would feel good but right now I am going back to Oliv's on G and D. The E and A are tremendous. I also can't say enough about the arco. Very nice and warm.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

I can see where they might feel stiff if one was used to guts. They were stiffer than I expected, but I prefer that to a certain extent. I like to be able to nail a string and not have it just flab out. OTOH, I love plain guts too!

I'm hoping the E will wake up a bit and match the other three strings, I'm sure it will. I'll check in after I do an amp gig (tomorrow). I have a relatively bright bass and PU.

I'll be recording a piano duo CD in the next month, I have high hopes for that with the EPs.

+ a bunch on the arco. Really nice.

 

[jazz bass guy]

I would like to echo some of the last few comments, especially from Marcus and Jeremy. I found the E really opened up after a week or so. I absolutely love it now, whereas I was a bit unsure at first.

somehow more organic and complex, less "giant fretless"

My feeling exactly. Also, like Jeremy said, these are a great all-round string. I have been playing both pizz and arco (including lots of Bach in thumb position) and I love them for both, and for a lot of the same reasons. They have a substantial and robust fundamental that is just knocking me out. One thing that I am particularly impressed with is the E string up high. Most strings get pretty cloudy past the octave, but not these. Again, both pizz and arco. I am surprised every day by how great they sound up there. It's like I keep expecting the notes to sound less defined than they do.

Jeremy, I am also glad to hear that after several months, they are not beginning to go dead yet. Also, it's great they can stand up to being removed once in a while.

They are, as RShew says, somewhat higher in tension, especially compared to gut. That could take some getting used to for sure, if you are used to a substantially softer feel. I found that I could actually lower my action a little bit and it feels good and sounds better to my ear.

I am encouraged by these strings, overall. I have had them on for just over a week now, and they seem to sound a little better each day. Maybe I'm just getting used to playing on them, but I think they are opening up over time.

KL

 

[Pete G]

I would like to echo some of the last few comments, especially from Marcus and Jeremy... I am encouraged by these strings, overall. I have had them on for just over a week now, and they seem to sound a little better each day. Maybe I'm just getting used to playing on them, but I think they are opening up over time.

KL

Plus one. I've had mine on for roughly a month, and I like them more each day I play them. Simply great, great strings.

BTW, I only play arco (classical), and they're great with a bow. But I agree they have a terrific pizz sound too.

I'm coming to the conclusion that these are the best ever all-around strings, without compromising much (if anything) either at the arco or the pizz end of the playing spectrum.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

I'm coming to the conclusion that these are the best ever all-around strings, without compromising much (if anything) either at the arco or the pizz end of the playing spectrum.

I'm thinking the same thing.... I wouldn't hesitate to use these on an orchestral gig, and so far they seem to give me everything I need for the jazz stuff. Imagine that... one string for everything.

 

[Jeremy Allen]

I must say thought, I find them muddy amplified. I have both a realist and a FC on my bass . The FC does better but both result in a bit o'mud (using a GK micro or AI Focus).

I also think the tension is getting to me. The G and D are stiff.

I had exactly the same experience when I first put these on, with the same pickups. The very first gig I did with them I thought "Uh-oh, I don't have the muscle to make these strings work." I found that dropping the action was the solution; just as with Dominants, I think these strings have a sweet spot, height-wise, above which they turn into something too stiff for me to handle, and too dark for me to hear. I guess that goes for all strings, though, except for plain gut (which just keep gettin' sweeter and sweeter the higher they go...).

 

[bassplayer57]

I have not noticed any deadness yet from these, but I think the G is less ballsy than the other strings, a bit more whiny. It was like this from the beginning, though, so I don't think it's a question of wear. These strings are just outstanding, and I would not at all say that they are either "a good jazz string that also bows well" or "a good arco string you can also pizz with"--they're just a good all-around string. The only string I've ever used that was better under the bow is Original Flexocors, but the EPs give 'em a run for their money in an orchestral context. When they become readily available, I may buy another set to put on the other bass (although I don't know that I can live without guts in my life).

It's good to have someone who can compare them to my current strings, the Original Flexocores!! I may have to try the EP's when the come more available!

 

[Wyzird05]

Put the EPs on order from my local store, the distributor said they should ship within a week.

 

[Monki]

I had exactly the same experience when I first put these on, with the same pickups. The very first gig I did with them I thought "Uh-oh, I don't have the muscle to make these strings work." I found that dropping the action was the solution; just as with Dominants, I think these strings have a sweet spot, height-wise, above which they turn into something too stiff for me to handle, and too dark for me to hear. I guess that goes for all strings, though, except for plain gut (which just keep gettin' sweeter and sweeter the higher they go...).

Just curious, what string height did you settle on? Looked mine up and found it was higher than I whould have thought: G at 8mm D&A at 9, E at 10.. so maybe I should drop it a bit. Maybe time to install some adjuster.

Were a bit unsure about the strings at first (now been using them for +1 month), changed back and fourth with spiros and corellis a few times, only to come to the conclusion that I liked the Pirazzis the BEST. Thougth at first they sounded a bit muffled/muddy but now I don't... dunno if it's the strings or I've gotten used to the sound?! Sometimes they feels a bit to stiff, but I haven't played too long so my strenght, stamina and skills should only improve.

 

[RShew]

I had exactly the same experience when I first put these on, with the same pickups. The very first gig I did with them I thought "Uh-oh, I don't have the muscle to make these strings work." I found that dropping the action was the solution; just as with Dominants, I think these strings have a sweet spot, height-wise, above which they turn into something too stiff for me to handle, and too dark for me to hear. I guess that goes for all strings, though, except for plain gut (which just keep gettin' sweeter and sweeter the higher they go...).

Yeah...my hand feels very tired after a 3 hour job. This is unusual for me. Never had it before. Not at all used to it. MAkes me not want to practice as well which is a bad thing. I am a new dad (he's 5 weeks) and suppose that has something to do with it as well! About where is your sweet spot especially for G and D? I haven't taken the G and D off yet and maybe I should experiment a bit more before I do. The E and A don't have the tension issue w/my bass. They are loose and open sounding.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

Weird... I didn't have any fatigue at all. I just wanted to keep going! Says so right on the package ... "I'm so happy, I just want to to keep playing!" Maybe the cheesiest ad line in history...

My string height is probably around 7mm on the G.

 

[Uncletoad]

So....

Does the E string suck like every other Pirastro E string ever made?

 

[Marcus Johnson]

So....

Does the E string suck like every other Pirastro E string ever made?

I have to get back to you. It's the weak link on my bass so far, but I have exactly three sets of music on them, so in fairness I have to wait a bit.

The first night playing unamped, I was thinking that a well-broken-in Spiro Stark E would be cool. Everything else was speaking, and the E-P E string is very nice, but like a lot of Pirastros, it does seem to take a bit more work to get it talking.

Give me a few gigs, I'll let you know.

 

[Uncletoad]

The first night playing unamped, I was thinking that a well-broken-in Spiro Stark E would be cool.

I haven't found much that sounds better pizz on an E. I've gone back to a Mittel as I can't take the Stark punishment at the moment but I keep threatening a return....

See, if I can't use the E and I'm not ready to loose the guts I can wait for just an A string....

 

[Marcus Johnson]

It seems that maybe the Spiro Stark is the Uberstring... works with anything, and balances the whole set sonically. I think I could handle it... I played the whole Stark set once, and it didn't kill me.

 

[Hampton]

Some times it's worth remembering there's a notion called setup.

I've never changed strings - even to the point of substituting just one from a different brand - without having to see my luthier to make it balance via sound post, bridge, tailpiece or other adjustments. The deltas in tension, diameter, bridge and nut bite... they all affect response.

My frank opinion is the string quest, as evidenced in our talkbass community, is a flawed process. It is _much_ more complex than swapping moustaches on Mr. Potatohead. Maybe my instruments are fussy, or maybe I'm fussy. I prefer to call it careful. In the end, I need to do more than change a string, or a set, to decide if it drives my instrument well.

Cheers,

 

[TroyK]

Some times it's worth remembering there's a notion called setup.

...

My frank opinion is the string quest, as evidenced in our talkbass community, is a flawed process. It is _much_ more complex than swapping moustaches on Mr. Potatohead.

Right on, brother!

 

[Uncletoad]

It is _much_ more complex than swapping moustaches on Mr. Potatohead.

Nice line.

Perhaps it's different with a very high end carved bass as I have more time on my plywood than a multi thousand dollar carved bass.

For me I think I can get a pretty good idea if I'm going to like something or not weather my nut and camber and soundpost is tweaked or not. I have moved the soundpost around between string sets and that makes the most difference of all (unless the strings are buzzing somewhere). Even that is a subtle change compared to the differences between strings like Gut vs. Steel.

Having said that once I settle on something I like or think I might like, having the bass set up around them is a good idea.

 

[Francois Blais]

Yes, I agree it's a great line!
I also found out that changing the scoop on the fingerboard makes a world of difference on the tone.
The tone gets darker and thumpier with increased scoop.

 

[jazz bass guy]

Thank you , Hampton. I concur. For what it's worth, the Pirazzi E sounds great on my bass. This bass is quite balanced and that seems to be true regardless of string brand. On the other hand, my previous bass was a 7/8 French bass that just roared on the bottom, and regardless of string type was even a little overpowering on the E string. I have also played on many basses where there was seemingly nothing down there. Sometimes a good setup will do it. Other times not. It's like eveyone's Mr. Potatohead is made by someone diferrent.

Comparisons between string brands and types is relative. Like Uncletoad says:

I have moved the soundpost around between string sets and that makes the most difference of all

Also as Francois points out, the scoop of the fingerboard makes a huge difference to the feel and sound. It's not just about the strings.