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Double Bass New! Pirastro Perpetual Double Bass strings
- Thread starter luisraulmunoz
- Start date
That makes sense, and I wouldn't compare them to solos sound wise, because I do think they have a lot more power behind them then that, but feel wise not too far off. That's what I was saying when I mentioned these maybe a good fit if you are used to/want/ would like to try a lower tension feel but maybe feel like you are lacking some punch. It could be that they are just much more flexible strings so that factored with the lower tension (than mittels, not sure the actual numbers on weich) make them feel almost as loose as downtuned solos to me.
I've never like downtuned solos sound or feel. I have only done that as a compromise when I want to switch back and forth between solo tuning and standard without having to switch strings every time.
I think the perpetuals are great strings. I just wanted to share that maybe if you prefer a little more tension for what ever reason, they may not be the right fit even though they are great strings!
I may be one of the few that is not an instant fan.
I tried them on my Laguna and except for the D pizzicato which is just a tiny bit better - I still like the Flexocore Deluxes over all bow and pluck. I got an old German Flatback but did not have time to put them in. Traveling. The flat-back has Spiro Weichs now and may like these. So will give a report in about 2 weeks
The Laguna which is now 15 years old is a 3/4 . scale but with a 7/8 proportions in the lower bout, a really tall bridge and the after length tuning is 2 octaves rather then the 2 octaves + 4th. So I think it really needs stiffer strings to get the top to vibrate. The flatback is 3 octaves + a 5th.
I really am particular about the G and the A string next. I can see why people like this string compared to a Spirocore.
I'd be interested to see how perpetual they really are after a year of us playing them.
I also tried my Pasione solo tuned down I got here and now I see why this would really work great on Cuban jazz and Salsa specially if you are amplified
I tried them on my Laguna and except for the D pizzicato which is just a tiny bit better - I still like the Flexocore Deluxes over all bow and pluck. I got an old German Flatback but did not have time to put them in. Traveling. The flat-back has Spiro Weichs now and may like these. So will give a report in about 2 weeks
The Laguna which is now 15 years old is a 3/4 . scale but with a 7/8 proportions in the lower bout, a really tall bridge and the after length tuning is 2 octaves rather then the 2 octaves + 4th. So I think it really needs stiffer strings to get the top to vibrate. The flatback is 3 octaves + a 5th.
I really am particular about the G and the A string next. I can see why people like this string compared to a Spirocore.
I'd be interested to see how perpetual they really are after a year of us playing them.
I also tried my Pasione solo tuned down I got here and now I see why this would really work great on Cuban jazz and Salsa specially if you are amplified
My Spiro S42 E string is back on my bass. The Perpetual E sounds fine (though I like the Spiro sound better too) but it doesn't have the tension that I like.
I'm still missing the Oliv G thick gauge feel.
I'm gonna give them another week with rehearsals/gigs to make up my mind.
I'm still missing the Oliv G thick gauge feel.
I'm gonna give them another week with rehearsals/gigs to make up my mind.
oh boy guys $188 a set at String Emporium and $198 with the extension string. What a deal!
Can't take it anymore, gonna jump on the deal from String Emporium. Should have never clicked clicked "Watch" on this thread, haha.
- Jul 19, 2000
- 2,014
- 2,224
- Disclosures
- Owner/President, Gollihur Music LLC
An Update:
I really like these strings. They've made my tight feeling bass much more playable and fun. I'm excited that the Perpetuals sound and feel like Spiros on a bass that likes Spiros--which my bass is distinctly not. G string is good, but l might try an Oliv. Pizz and arco are both great. Arco really settled into a comfortable place after a couple weeks, E string starts easier and there's less scratch.
Samples were recorded on my phone roughly the same distance away from the bass. The "Articulation" clip is noodly but as an illustration of stuff that felt MUCH harder to execute on Evahs.
I really like these strings. They've made my tight feeling bass much more playable and fun. I'm excited that the Perpetuals sound and feel like Spiros on a bass that likes Spiros--which my bass is distinctly not. G string is good, but l might try an Oliv. Pizz and arco are both great. Arco really settled into a comfortable place after a couple weeks, E string starts easier and there's less scratch.
Samples were recorded on my phone roughly the same distance away from the bass. The "Articulation" clip is noodly but as an illustration of stuff that felt MUCH harder to execute on Evahs.
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this is my experience. My bass and i like spiro mediums, but I didn't know it was tight till trying these. Great feeling strings.
You guys have tortured me with this thread to the extent that I had to pull the trigger. I’ll let y’all know how they work on my Shen SB80! Thanks as always to the folks at Gollihur music.
The strings got here early this morning (thanks again to @Mark Gollihur for the great service) and I couldn’t help but slap them right on. Even as someone who generally prefers gut and synthetic strings I tentatively like these a ton. They feel very supple out of the pack, and don’t feel like they overload my SB80 the way Spiro Mitts do. I don’t know if I go as far to say as they feel like downtuned solo strings, but they are for sure comfortable to play and have less perceived stiffness to me than say 4/4 Spiro weichs or Helicore mediums imho. Volume is good, and the sound is pretty thick even on the G string. They have a good amount of clarity but no banjo sounds right out of the pack. Arco is pretty darn good for a Pizz-oriented string.
The big test will be tonight when I’m playing a big festival stage with a Krivo magnetic pickup. I have had string balance issues with certain sets through the mag, and I’m hoping they sound just as even through the pickup as they do acoustically. I’ll report back!
The big test will be tonight when I’m playing a big festival stage with a Krivo magnetic pickup. I have had string balance issues with certain sets through the mag, and I’m hoping they sound just as even through the pickup as they do acoustically. I’ll report back!
You are a brave soul to play a gig (outdoors!) with 1/2 day old strings....Make sure the battery in your tuner is fresh.
Good Luck!
Not necessary to be as brave as you may think, Don. I've never seen a set of strings that stabilized more quickly than the 'Perps'.
