Double Bass Evah Pirazzi strings megathread part III

[Selim]

Not as much noise about these strings nowadays (or so it seems -- but I could be wrong), but I found some old recordings I made with a zoom-type recorder of the E weichs today and I gotta say, whatever deficiencies they may have (and IMO they do have some, arguably every string does), no 2 ways about it: they sure are a lovely sounding set of strings.

 

[Sam Dingle]

Evahs are so bad that I’ve tried them 6 times lol

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

I have them on one of my basses right now, but I'm in the minority as I don't see them as a significant improvement over Obligatos. I find them a bit too dark, but I'm not in a hurry to buy new strings.

- Steve

 

[Treyzer]

For my money, I like the Evah Weichs for The G & D and Spiro Weichs for the A & E. Used to use Mittels for the A & E, but as I've aged, the Weichs allow me to play without pain. This combo, at least for me, works very well.

 

[Selim]

Evahs are so bad that I’ve tried them 6 times lol

that is some funny s$%t

 

[Selim]

For my money, I like the Evah Weichs for The G & D and Spiro Weichs for the A & E. Used to use Mittels for the A & E, but as I've aged, the Weichs allow me to play without pain. This combo, at least for me, works very well.

I agree.

 

[Bigbassguy]

That works!

 

[Fat bob]

Checking in here with you cats, I have been going through the archive and reading up on these Evahs after seeing and hearing them on a couple other players basses. Unfortunately I havent had the chance to play em. Ive been a spiro weich user for the last yr or so since acquiring my 1950's juzek that likes the weich tension for sound and playability over there mittels I used for a couple years before on my Shen hybrid.
The evah weichs interest me because they are darker and thicker, better bowing strings and potentially louder acoustically(?) the spiro mittels feel too stiff on the left hand with this bass, but just fine w right hand... how would the evahs compair with left hand tension?
Also, I guess I fear going too dark- Ive heard that the spiro brightness makes for a good quality when amplifying- helping to avoid too much mud.
Anyways, what do you guys think? Should I take the plunge?

(Iam a 90% pizz player, straight ahead jazz, trad jazz, some slapping, working freelancer and masters student)
Thank you guys!

 

[Sam Dingle]

Checking in here with you cats, I have been going through the archive and reading uping on these Evahs after seeing and hearing them on a couple other players basses. Unfortunately I havent had the chance to play em. Ive been a spiro weich user for the last yr or so since acquiring my 1950's juzek that likes the weich tension for sound and playability over there mittels I used for a couple years before on my Shen hybrid.
The evah weichs interest me because they are darker and thicker, better bowing strings and potentially louder acoustically(?) the spiro mittels feel too stiff on the left hand with this bass, but just fine w right hand... how would the evahs compair with left hand tension?
Also, I guess I fear going too dark- Ive heard that the spiro brightness makes for a good quality when amplifying- helping to avoid too much mud.
Anyways, what do you guys think? Should I take the plunge?

(Iam a 90% pizz player, straight ahead jazz, trad jazz, some slapping, working freelancer and masters student)
Thank you guys!

played evah weich on and off for about 4 years. Going between spiros and evahs. The evah weich may be louder than the spiro lights, but maybe not. The spiro mediums are 100% louder.

Also amplifying evahs is tricky like you said. I think if you want a darker sound and don't play acoustically evahs may work for you, but it depends on your hands and bass. I only know 2 people who have played evahs longer than a year before going to spiros or gut.

Consider buying a used set on here and throwing them on.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I went for the Evah hype three separate times.

 

[Francois Blais]

To me, the Evahs lack personality, color.
They’re too drab.
I much prefer Obligatos for that reason.

 

[Sean Riddle]

Checking in here with you cats, I have been going through the archive and reading up on these Evahs after seeing and hearing them on a couple other players basses. Unfortunately I havent had the chance to play em. Ive been a spiro weich user for the last yr or so since acquiring my 1950's juzek that likes the weich tension for sound and playability over there mittels I used for a couple years before on my Shen hybrid.
The evah weichs interest me because they are darker and thicker, better bowing strings and potentially louder acoustically(?) the spiro mittels feel too stiff on the left hand with this bass, but just fine w right hand... how would the evahs compair with left hand tension?
Also, I guess I fear going too dark- Ive heard that the spiro brightness makes for a good quality when amplifying- helping to avoid too much mud.
Anyways, what do you guys think? Should I take the plunge?

(Iam a 90% pizz player, straight ahead jazz, trad jazz, some slapping, working freelancer and masters student)
Thank you guys!

When I had a Spiro Mittel E paired with Evah Weich on A D G volume wise it was pretty strong. Otherwise without the help of the Spiro, I found the Evah Weich lacking in the volume department. It all depends on the bass though, I just know my bass isn’t too fond of a full set of Evahs. One of my friends uses Evah Weich E and A with gut D G and his E string sounds massive! The D and G might be worth trying out first. Otherwise some of the Innovation strings and, if you can afford it, some of the Velvet strings if you’re into trying out synthetic core strings.
My bass has sounded the loudest though with the full set of Spiro Weichs it wears now.

 

[martinc]

Checking in here with you cats, I have been going through the archive and reading up on these Evahs after seeing and hearing them on a couple other players basses. Unfortunately I havent had the chance to play em. Ive been a spiro weich user for the last yr or so since acquiring my 1950's juzek that likes the weich tension for sound and playability over there mittels I used for a couple years before on my Shen hybrid.
The evah weichs interest me because they are darker and thicker, better bowing strings and potentially louder acoustically(?) the spiro mittels feel too stiff on the left hand with this bass, but just fine w right hand... how would the evahs compair with left hand tension?
Also, I guess I fear going too dark- Ive heard that the spiro brightness makes for a good quality when amplifying- helping to avoid too much mud.
Anyways, what do you guys think? Should I take the plunge?

(Iam a 90% pizz player, straight ahead jazz, trad jazz, some slapping, working freelancer and masters student)
Thank you guys!

Fat bob: the quick answer is no. Save your money. If your Juzek likes the Spiro Weichs keep 'em on....who are you to argue with your bass? Evah's (even the Evah Weichs) definitely have more tension and a thicker sound than the Spiro Weichs. I've been there.

 

[Fat bob]

Dang, so you guys are saying these strings don't come with the Countdown and Moments Notice changes? Seriously thank you guys for talking me off the ledge. Maybe I'll find an inexpensive d&g sometime to try, but in the meantime it's back to the shed!

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Innovation Polychromes might be a synthetic core alternative to Spiro Weich 4/4.

 

[Selim]

Dang, so you guys are saying these strings don't come with the Countdown and Moments Notice changes? Seriously thank you guys for talking me off the ledge. Maybe I'll find an inexpensive d&g sometime to try, but in the meantime it's back to the shed!

Some good feedback here, but only you can know how these strings will sound on your bass. This is a very large thread on the EPs, and there must be a reason for that.

 

[pmad_bass]

NBD. So....I finally popped for a set of Evah Pirazzi Weich. Still waiting on shipping.

Wondering what to expect; coming from having mostly only used Helicore Hybrid Mediums for arco...which I (sadly) seem to be focusing the bulk of my limited practice time on. I say "sadly" only in-so much as I miss playing jazz etc but am focusing on the bow/orchestral playing.

The set I have on now is of mixed age...have probably had the D & G on for 3 + years (maybe I've forgotten/am being kind) and the E & A are prob about 2 + years old.

Pizz wise, I think they are still *ok and prob have some life left.

Arco wise, as I recall the G and D were initially fairly bright (even after the break in period). They have tamed down considerably at this point. Could be my bass, my technique but have always thought that the E was difficult to start consistently...especially on short up strokes or Sforzando. They do give a LOT of power and volume for sustained fff notes.

I think the Helicore Hybrid Mediums have served me well...my bass and those strings on it are loud....which I do like...though I think my bass can be a tad on the bright side (which I do not love). My main objective with the Evah Pirazzi Weich purchase is getting more warmth/authority (more volume is always a good thing) and playability from the arco side of my playing.

Not having tried these before, I was concerned in regards to getting the Weichs (as opposed to the *Mediums)....which, from what I've read; the Weichs seem to be more like a medium (than a light) and the Mediums seem to be stiff/significantly higher tension. Not sure if the stiffness of the mediums would work better here. T

 

[BassinCT]

I think you will like the more “burnished” arco tone of the EP weichs- they are easy to start under the bow and are somewhat forgiving-but the EP’s are not going to have a wide palette of colors. To me, they sound good for what I do.

The weich set definitely feels like a medium set in terms of stiffness and the regulars were a bit of a chore for my left hand.

In terms of perceived power potential, you will have to see how they interact with your bass. Please share your impressions! I have a loud but mellow sounding hybrid, and I find that the EP weichs allows me to blend well with others without sounding like a foggy drone.

 

[Scott Lynch]

I just took a set of EP regulars off of my bass after giving them a month or so.

After having tried both EP regulars and weichs, on my bass I’ve found that they’re about the most perfect string ever while they’re out-of-the-pack fresh, then after they settle in for a couple of weeks they’re too dark and I can’t hear myself at all on the gig/rehearsal/concert etc.

I’ve also noticed the EPs seem to favor slightly higher action than steels, as though they are designed for high impact, short decay, old school type of pizz. My Shen came with EP weichs set at 7-10 mm from G to E, which is where they sounded best. I found myself lowering the adjusters to find what felt best, and just couldn’t find a compromise I was happy with.

Long story short it’s back to FDs over Spiros again. I need to get it through my head that I am a steel string guy...

One of my section mates in my community orchestra, however, has EPs on his Kolstein and they sound and feel fantastic. As always it’s a bass-dependent thing.

 

[martinc]

".....I need to get it through my head that I am a steel string guy."

Scott: Wish I had seen this 15 years ago! I could have saved a ton of money.
The only thing left over from those free-spending days when I tried just about every string that did not have a steel core, is the very playable pizz combination (on my bass) of Zyex G and D mediums with a Spiro Orch E/Weich A. The Weich D is a tad livelier than the Zyex D but the Zyex's have more punch but over the long term I have lived happily with the Spiro Orch E with A, D and G Weichs.
I also had a brief encounter with Helicore Hybrid lights on my new Eminence EUB. They were OK but when I tried a spare set of all Spiro Weichs I found a big improvement in the sound and feel for pizz.
So, even though I ranted on this forum many times about the Weich G being thin and tinny, I am now happy to admit that these Vienna string makers do know a thing or two about making a wonderfully-matched steel string set with comfortable tension.