Double Bass New! Pirastro Perpetual Double Bass strings

[sean_on_bass]

Checking in to say still enjoying the strings. They amplify a bit differently than the Spiros i had on before in a good way, and cut through a mix. I originally said they sounded darker than the Spiro Weich but no, i think they are slightly brighter actually(on my bass). They are also pretty damn easy to play on from a comfort standpoint. If i were to place them somewhere, i'd say they are a string you would like if you want a slightly brighter and more flexible string than Spiro Weich that is a little easier to start with the bow. Good for "modern" jazz/fusion playing IMO but i wouldn't want them in a style where you want a darker thumpier string. Will have to check in after more time has passed to see how they age after a number of months.

 

[juusokasperi]

I've been playing guts for almost 4 years now, but I just met a guy from Pirastro here in NYC and he gave me a set of the new Perpetuals to try out. It's very much on the other side of the spectrum tonally, but I'm still curious so I thought I'll give them a go anyway. So I slapped them on my bass today, I'll see how I feel about them in a couple of days. First impressions are that arco on them is nice, but at least fresh off the box the G string felt a bit thin & too bright to me.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

Question...I’m thinking of moving my set of Perpetuals to my carved bass for a recording session I’m doing. The string length is shorter on that bass, and I have a compensated “harp” tailpiece which means the witness point or bend over the bridge will be in a different location. I’ve always been concerned that this can wear out the strings prematurely and not sound right. Hence, I don’t normally buy used strings and usually will only reuse the same ones that were on a particular bass. What are your thoughts?

 

[DoubleMIDI]

It has an influence but I’m not sure how much. On the other hand bowing has an influence too in that region, that can wear out the stings there more than in the fingering area.
If you use them only shortly it should have a lot less influence (for your longer scaled instrument) than if you use them intensively for weeks or more.
I would try to avoid that too, but checking for an hour if they work on the shorter scale well is OK and if they do, you might get a second fresh set for your longer scales instrument if needed.

 

[PaperbackRyder]

I just listed a one hour old set in the classifieds:
For Sale - Pirastro Perpetual strings

 

[DaveAceofBass]

Question...I’m thinking of moving my set of Perpetuals to my carved bass for a recording session I’m doing. The string length is shorter on that bass, and I have a compensated “harp” tailpiece which means the witness point or bend over the bridge will be in a different location. I’ve always been concerned that this can wear out the strings prematurely and not sound right. Hence, I don’t normally buy used strings and usually will only reuse the same ones that were on a particular bass. What are your thoughts?

So I wound up taking two basses to the studio to see which one they preferred. They definitely liked the carved bass with Spirocore/Flex Deluxe set better! Interestingly I almost didn’t bring that bass at all but wound up using it the entire time!

 

[Bisounourse]

Has any one compared them to Velvet Compass 180 Orch? Are they in the same ballpark, or totally different?

 

[bassmanbrent]

Has any one compared them to Velvet Compass 180 Orch? Are they in the same ballpark, or totally different?

It's been a while since I've played on Compas 180's, but I'd say they're not in the same ballpark. My memory is that the 180's have a lot less tension and are actually growlier, although other people's findings with Perpetuals will likely be different. The ones I have seem quite dark...

Anyhow, one is a steel core and the other synthetic so fundamentally they are quite different.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

The Compas 180 need a light bow weight on the string. Very different if one is used to bow Spiros.
They are synthetic core strings, but for that they are closer to a Spiro soundwise than any other synthetic string I have tried. (Haven‘t tried Dominants, they may even be closer than the Compas 180.)

 

[bassmanbrent]

The Compas 180 need a light bow weight on the string. Very different if one is used to bow Spiros.
They are synthetic core strings, but for that they are closer to a Spiro soundwise than any other synthetic string I have tried. (Haven‘t tried Dominants, they may even be closer than the Compas 180.)

To me, the fundamental difference between Compas 180's and Perpetuals is tension. They do not feel similar at all to me. Sound-wise, maybe kinda-sorta ish they are similar, but not really that much. Just my take, as always.

 

[Bisounourse]

To me, the fundamental difference between Compas 180's and Perpetuals is tension. They do not feel similar at all to me. Sound-wise, maybe kinda-sorta ish they are similar, but not really that much. Just my take, as always.

Well, I needed to specify 'tonewise', but since my bass really prefers low tension strings, I'll stick to my Compass 180's, no need to go down the rabbithole.

 

[Sam Dingle]

I strayed and came back. Put spiros back on the bass to compare. I played them the last week and went back to the perps an hour ago. Bass just opens up with them. I went back to the spiros because My arms were hurting. I thought I was overplaying the perps, but I'm gonna mess with the action. I lowered the action and I think that was weirding me out haha.

So quick stop but back to perps. The arco is actually...horrid haha. Still super bright and the low strings are hard to start with the bow. Not as bad as zyex but something to work on.

The pizz feel and sound is to die for.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

The arco is actually...horrid haha. Still super bright and the low strings are hard to start with the bow.

Interesting. I find the arco response much better than Spirocores. On par with Obligatos IMO.

- Steve

 

[TroyK]

I'm still getting along quite well with mine. At home, playing out. Pizz and Arco.

Tension is just right for me. I felt with Soirocore Weichs that it was easy to over play them. With perps, I like how they feel and sound whether I dig in or play with a soft touch.

 

[bassically_eli]

I lowered the action and I think that was weirding me out haha.

Aren't the Perps more flexible than most other strings? I would think to raise the action if anything.

 

[Bigbassguy]

I know i need a string more flexible than superflexblies.
could perps be that set?
I need to know! Advice welcomed.
thanks!

 

[Sam Dingle]

Aren't the Perps more flexible than most other strings? I would think to raise the action if anything.

Exactly my thoughts.

I know i need a string more flexible than superflexblies.
could perps be that set?
I need to know! Advice welcomed.
thanks!

Yes these are for you. Super flexible strings are not very flexible in my experience

 

[Bigbassguy]

This may do it for me!
im thinking now to get some perps!

thanks guys!

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Super flexible strings are not very flexible in my experience

The Super Flexibles were developed at a time when all steel core strings had a solid steel core (a single wire).
At that time and compared to the other strings available then they were super flexible, but things have changed over time and they don’t win that comparison with actual strings available.

 

[Jon Mush]

Well, I tried and finally pulled them off my Chadwick after a couple of weeks of tour. They were quite nice, but maybe a bit polite, compared to spiros.

They felt really good. Pirastro really knows how to make strings! They were so smooth, and a felt really nice under both hands. For me, the Spiros projected better, had more helpful and lively overtones and a bigger fundamental. With my super amateur arco skills, I found the perps harder to bow than S42W on my bass. However, in Chadwick/travel bass land, they held up wonderfully. Even after a similar time the silks on Spiros tend to look ratty, but these literally look brand new. I think they’d be nice, robust strings for a travel outfit on the right bass.

I tried so hard to love them, I just feel Spiros are the deal for my bass. I’m going to see if any of my buddies with more serious basses want a go on them, I’m sure they’d shine. I think, unfortunately, I need to lean on the strings too much to get some character out of the plywood. I’d say if Spiros are just a bit too much ‘spiro-ey’ on a bass, these are a great alternative.