Double Bass New Evah Pirazzi slap strings from Pirastro!

[VegasGutPlucker]

Yes the tensions are lower…around 21,6kp for the E and the same for the A.
Solo Evahs tuned down to orchestra is 24,6 for the E and 26,4 for the A.

Hmm, Garbos are 25kg each, I wonder how big the difference will feel under the hands. 3kg? 6.6 pounds? I'll know soon enough and report back. I love those Garbo E and A's but as we all know they are quite fragile.

While I do a google search, anyone have the data on Gamut's?

edit: looks around 16-17 kg for gamut G and D heavies.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Assuming that the Innovation Braided Solo E has about the same tension than the Braided (orchestral) D, a Braided Solo E downtuned to D should have about 20.3 to 20.7 Kg and might be a good replacement for the gut D, since the Braided are quite similar to the Evahs, maybe a little bit brighter, at least in the beginning.

I never had the regular set, but from the tension of the high C (which can indeed differ largely from the regular set) and the description, a synthetic core string that might fit the typical gut tension around 20 Kg is the SuperSensitive Sensicore in orchestral tuning.

Either of them might be worth a try.

 

[martinc]

Assuming that the Innovation Braided Solo E has about the same tension than the Braided (orchestral) D, a Braided Solo E downtuned to D should have about 20.3 to 20.7 Kg and might be a good replacement for the gut D, since the Braided are quite similar to the Evahs, maybe a little bit brighter, at least in the beginning.

I never had the regular set, but from the tension of the high C (which can indeed differ largely from the regular set) and the description, a synthetic core string that might fit the typical gut tension around 20 Kg is the SuperSensitive Sensicore in orchestral tuning.

Either of them might be worth a try.

Double: I tried a regular Braided Innovation with a gut G (Oliv)....but the two did not mix well together. Any gut/gut core I have tried next to a synthetic core string eventually outshines it in terms of sound regardless of any match in tension. Especially with the D and G. I have not used a Braided Solo with a naked gut though.
I'd be interested in how the Pirastro Slap gut D and synthetic A sound together. Maybe the new formula synthetic core will be a better match.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Martinc: I hardly use gut strings at all, but have some in my drawer.
Clarkybass asked me and others were looking for a synthetic core D string that might work with the EP Slap set. I don't have that myself, don't slap, so I just tried to find something that could match tensionwise.

I feel there is always a difference in sound and bow feel going from naked gut to any metal wound strings, even round copper wound gut. I think it's a personal thing to accept that or not.

But the transition from wound A to naked D is less noticeable than the transition from wound D to naked G. So getting a synthetic core D might sound better than the naked gut D, but makes the transition more obvious. Maybe a wound gut core D does the job better, but I'm not familiar with the tension of these strings.

I just once played for a minute on a bass with Garbos and their gut G pizz and the gut G was clearly different. Personally I didn't like that, but a lot of players like that set with the gut G.

 

[martinc]

Martinc: I hardly use gut strings at all, but have some in my drawer.
Clarkybass asked me and others were looking for a synthetic core D string that might work with the EP Slap set. I don't have that myself, don't slap, so I just tried to find something that could match tensionwise.

I feel there is always a difference in sound and bow feel going from naked gut to any metal wound strings, even round copper wound gut. I think it's a personal thing to accept that or not.

But the transition from wound A to naked D is less noticeable than the transition from wound D to naked G. So getting a synthetic core D might sound better than the naked gut D, but makes the transition more obvious. Maybe a wound gut core D does the job better, but I'm not familiar with the tension of these strings.

I just once played for a minute on a bass with Garbos and their gut G pizz and the gut G was clearly different. Personally I didn't like that, but a lot of players like that set with the gut G.

Double:
Yes... I'd say the Garbo's are close enough to the gut sound to be a pretty good match. I used a Gamut G with Garbo's and it worked well. Unfortunately I was not totally comfortable with the Garbo's on my bass. I have heard them on other basses and they sounded fine.

 

[Clarkybass]

I decided to try an EP Solo E downtuned to D with my Slap E/A. With the proviso that the string only arrived today and I have just installed it, my initial impression is that the tension is quite a good match. Two things jump out at me though (1) the Solo 'D' is clearer and brighter sounding than the very gutty/old school sounding Slap set E and A - hopefully thats mainly because it is brand new and it will age to sound more in keeping with the other strings and (2) it is a noticeable gauge step down from A to 'D' as the Slap E and A are pretty fat gauges. The upside is that I can actually intonate on the D now and - on first impressions - its not far off the other strings sonically (and will hopefully settle in to sound more homogeneous).

 

[martinc]

I decided to try an EP Solo E downtuned to D with my Slap E/A. With the proviso that the string only arrived today and I have just installed it, my initial impression is that the tension is quite a good match. Two things jump out at me though (1) the Solo 'D' is clearer and brighter sounding than the very gutty/old school sounding Slap set E and A - hopefully thats mainly because it is brand new and it will age to sound more in keeping with the other strings and (2) it is a noticeable gauge step down from A to 'D' as the Slap E and A are pretty fat gauges. The upside is that I can actually intonate on the D now and - on first impressions - its not far off the other strings sonically (and will hopefully settle in to sound more homogeneous).

Clarky: Thanks for the info. I would be interested to hear your impressions after a month or so with the EP Solo.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

You can run the string bent over your thumb over the whole length and rotate it a bit each time you start again. This should make the string more flexible and darker. I did this with the orchestral Braided A and E because they were too stiff out of the sleeve and had a short sustain.
A wheel with a groove/nut can do that a lot faster and saves your thumb.

You might also think of replacing the A and E with Braided Solos.
Given the rather high price of the Evah Slap set, a Braided Solo set with a gut G might be even more balanced than the Evah Slaps mixed with the downtuned Braided Solo E and a lot cheaper than the Pirastros. At least in the UK ...

 

[ArcoPlayer]

I use EP Slap set E and A, with Eudoxa D, Oliv G, and Oliv high C. The Eudoxa D has slightly more tension than the EP Slap Set E and A. Oliv G and high C also have lesser tension than the Eudoxa D, about the same as the EP Slap set E and A. All of these strings match each other well in terms of sound. I tried the gut D of the EP Slap set briefly but re-installed the Eudoxa D right away.

 

[Clarkybass]

I emailed Pirastro about the possibility of them making a hybrid D for this set but it doesn't sound likely: "At the moment there are no plans to develop an additional synthetic D but we will forward your mail to our R&D department."

 

[HateyMcAmp]

I agree with @martinc on mixing synthetic core with gut core, it has never worked on either of my basses. I find it particularly stark through the amp. While Velvet Anima/Garbo aren't a perfect match, at least the silk core plays well with gut. I've ways got the best sound by using string sets with 1) all steel core 2) all synthetic core 3) all natural core.

This may sound insane, but I'm actually thinking of the Slap E+A with a Goldenslap on the D and a superior deluxe (neo-cordes lambert) on the G. I'm running a similar setup now, only with Blues on the bottom. The Blues are pretty good, but they feel a little thin and sound a little bright when slapped. I honestly kind of like nylon slap bass strings on the uppers (even for pizz and some light arco) but the lower strings are always gigantic and dead. The Slap E+A sound like they may be the secret ingredient for the most balanced fake-gut set yet....

 

[martinc]

I use EP Slap set E and A, with Eudoxa D, Oliv G, and Oliv high C. The Eudoxa D has slightly more tension than the EP Slap Set E and A. Oliv G and high C also have lesser tension than the Eudoxa D, about the same as the EP Slap set E and A. All of these strings match each other well in terms of sound. I tried the gut D of the EP Slap set briefly but re-installed the Eudoxa D right away.

Arco: How would you describe the diameter of the EP Slap E and A? Fatter than Spiro Mittels? Same as Silver Slaps? Or any other comparison you could suggest. Thanks.

 

[ArcoPlayer]

Arco: How would you describe the diameter of the EP Slap E and A? Fatter than Spiro Mittels? Same as Silver Slaps? Or any other comparison you could suggest. Thanks.

The EP Slap A is about the same diameter as the Eudoxa D, and the EP Slap E has just a trifle larger diameter - not as large in diameter as the Obligato E which it replaced on my bass. I am not familiar with the other strings you mentioned.

 

[martinc]

The EP Slap A is about the same diameter as the Eudoxa D, and the EP Slap E has just a trifle larger diameter - not as large in diameter as the Obligato E which it replaced on my bass. I am not familiar with the other strings you mentioned.

OK....thanks!

 

[Clarkybass]

How nice is this (and what amazing customer service)? In response to my email, Pirastro's R&D dept are going to manufacture a prototype synthetic Slap Set D to match the E/A and expect to send it to me in the next week or so. I will report back once its arrived and installed on my bass.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Must be a popular request...Kent Blanton and Nic Dubouchet were discussing this on facebook yesterday; Kent said he asked Pirastro for D&G strings that are like the EP Slap E&A, and was told his request would be forwarded to their R&D department.

 

[HateyMcAmp]

This is really cool news. If the complete set ends up being like a thicker, darker Velvet Blue they might just be my set.

 

[Sam Dingle]

How nice is this (and what amazing customer service)? In response to my email, Pirastro's R&D dept are going to manufacture a prototype synthetic Slap Set D to match the E/A and expect to send it to me in the next week or so. I will report back once its arrived and installed on my bass.

Wow! Thats awesome. If thats the case then I'll have to give these a shot.

 

[martinc]

How nice is this (and what amazing customer service)? In response to my email, Pirastro's R&D dept are going to manufacture a prototype synthetic Slap Set D to match the E/A and expect to send it to me in the next week or so. I will report back once its arrived and installed on my bass.

Clarky: Can't beat that for responding to their customer requests! I assume the G will still be a gut?

 

[JLubinsky-Mast]

The Slap set is stabilizing for tuning, but the D is still a sonic freak among it's siblings. If the whole set sounded like this D, I would dump them. Maybe just a poor match with this particular instrument? I have a lesson scheduled for next Monday. Will see what my teacher has to say about this D string. He is a gut guy. Also I wrote to Pirastro, they asked me to send the D back. I may do that based on what my teacher recommends.

+1 - Agreed!

Hi Sir,
Wondering if there's any developement on how the D sting is treating you? These seem like they could be a great option for my "new" '57 American Standard I just brought home.