Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Double Bass Evah Pirazzi strings megathread part II
- Thread starter bonaventura
- Start date
- Status
So apparently Evahs do last quite a bit.yeah, my solo gauge evahs's after 6 months are holding together better on my folding bass than spiro mittels did in one month, so finally a nylon core string that's durable!
My Evah regulars have been on my bass since last June, and I've taken them off twice to check out other strings. So far there's been no major deterioration in tone. They *might* sound a little warmer, or maybe it is just I am getting better with the bow? What happens when these strings 'die' anyways??
I am noticing that the D and G on my EPW set sound MUCH louder than the E and A. I did a recording of it today, playing the open strings. First G, D, A, E, then E, A, D, G. I tried hard to keep the plucking even, but in the waveform captured in audacity, you can clearly see the big fat D and G compared to the wimpy A and E.
Is this something a luthier can tune with the sound post or some other method, or is it just inherent to these strings with this particular bass?
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Is this something a luthier can tune with the sound post or some other method, or is it just inherent to these strings with this particular bass?
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
While this looks like and objective measure the height of those waveform don't exactly correlate to volume. It's bound to be different at different pitches. If you are feeling it is unbalanced I suggest a soundpost adjustment.
michael: For starters....try (you or your luthier) moving the soundpost slightly towards the E side and check again. That might solve your problem.
Assuming all your strings are the same age.
I wasn't looking so much at the height of the waveform as the amount of energy packed into the note. I can clearly hear it on the sound file too, but thought it easier to post the waveform image than the sound file.
This is an all laminated Shen SB90, btw.
I have attached the sound file to this post. And yes, the strings were purchased as a new set a couple months back.
I almost never play arco, but I tried just now with my cheap fiberglass bow and I still hear that the D & G are louder and the D in particular seems to set up a boomy resonance in the bass's body.
So I would say that within the limits of my capabilities, the imbalance exists under the bow too.
OK, checked last night and mine are even pizz/arco (although I tend to dig in more with the A and E out of habit). Trip to the bass doctor seems in order. The only other thing is that if the bass is new it could still be going through that break in period, maybe.
Visual inspection of the waveforms is likely to be misleading for many reasons. I won't even go into them here. I will say, though, that the attack transient on the E, at least in the picture you posted, is conspicuously small/absent. This is really something that should be evaluated by a luthier and pairs of ears.
Did you experience this with other strings as well? If not, then perhaps your bass just doesn't like the tension of the Evahs. Sound post adjustment may help but you may be kicking a hornet's nest.
Although I realize that you're suggesting that the difference is out of the norm, there aren't many ply basses I've played that really transmit the power of the E, with it's low fundamental, as well as they transmit the vibrations from the higher strings.
Adding to the confusion-- at least on my bass-- the power of the fundamental of the lower strings with Evah weichs was huge. I'm not sure that means much, though given different basses, different "preferred" tensions, etc.
I would say that with many basses, especially cheaper ones, the response of the lower strings is going to be weaker than the upper. The D is often the loudest on any bass. I had many different plywood and hybrid basses where the low strings, particularly the E, were weak, and the D boomed. It takes a better bass to get better response down low, and to respond more evenly. Different strings can make some difference, but not huge. Moving the soundpost might help a little, but it's usually in the bass. So, next bass that you buy, pay attention to the low end response. My opinion anyway.
Agreed. In addition, the height of the strings in relation to each other is also an important parameter which can be adjusted (by a luthier) on any bass, including cheaper ones. In my own case, I keep my D string lower than usual by a custom cut of the bridge to balance the D down in relation to the others, and use a Spiro Stark E to bring the E string balance up in the mix. Very effective, and not prohibitively expensive - much less so than a new bass, at any rate.
Has anyone compared these? I've got evahs on at the moment, but I'm thinking of going for the weich. I find they respond a bit sluggishly when playing fast passages.
Would the weich respond better because they're thinner? Or do I just need a higher tension string???
I should have mentioned - I'm asking as a classical only player!
Would the weich respond better because they're thinner? Or do I just need a higher tension string???
I should have mentioned - I'm asking as a classical only player!
I've tried the both, as has drub. I thought the weichs were too light for my tastes...the orchestral strings have tonnes of oomph, and the upper registers really cut. The weich are finer and more delicate, a tad lower tension, and perhaps are more beautiful in the upper registers. They respond marginally faster...but if you value volume, the regulars may be better for you. I wouldn't think about a higher tension string...evah regulars are as high as many others, maybe more so.
If you're interested in a discounted purchase, I have a weich set just sitting here - played them for 2 weeks before going back to the orchestras. Let me know!
If you're interested in a discounted purchase, I have a weich set just sitting here - played them for 2 weeks before going back to the orchestras. Let me know!
I just took the plunge. Full set of regulars. Actually feels kinda soft on my bass. Seems usable from the get-go. Once you drop expectations of how a string should sound/feel/play, these get real interesting. E & A has a nice deep bassy bloom to it. Don't remember that with the spiro mitts. Seems quieter than the Spiros but it could be that they're simply darker. I can see right now they might sound a little muddy in bad rooms to make intonation hard. Will leave them on and see if they really do brighten up.
I'd be interested to know how your hands fare after playing them continuously for an extended period. On my bass, and with my hands, the Evah regulars were extremely tiring while Spiro mitts are like butter. Go figure...
No string I've ever had on my bass has had the room-shaking fundamentals of the Evah regulars. I'll sure say that for them!
Please keep us posted.
I'll say the Evah's make me work quite a bit harder compared to helicore hybrids but the sound is worth it. I would chalk it up to the higher tension of the Evah's and the fact that I'm using higher action over the heliocores.
I'm loving the strings for pizz but I'm still not sold on the arco tone. The sound is a little bright (though loud) for my tastes, which was a little surprising given all the praise for them being an extremely dark string. I may just need to play them in a little more.
Sorry didn't last long with me. 3 days and I got my hands on a D&G Olivs. Game over. Now to find something that matches the girth and sound.
My comments on the Evahs: They just keep feeling soft. Left hand tires out more than on spiros - prob cuz they're less tense. I can run the string heights way up and every few turns changes the tone. Brighter as you raise them obviously. Overall, kinda not what I'm looking for. I want:
1) A well balanced tone - not nasal like spiros but not super dark
2) Loud cuz I play unamplified when possible
3) High tension doesn't bother me as turns out my Cleve can handle tension well.
After a few days they just keep getting a little more dull/darker. Yes they're usable but probably better for someone who plays amplified alot. For me, they were that inspiring. I prefer something that jumps out and lets you know it's there. The Oliv's seem to do that and have decent volume. Anyways, I'm going to keep my EPs around and try them on my URB.
EDIT: At the moment, I'm running the weirdest string mix ever: Labella black nylons E&A with Oliv G&D. Gonna let things settle down and see how it goes... tho that's something for another thread.
- Status
