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Double Bass New! Pirastro Perpetual Double Bass strings

Just put a set on my bass, at the recommendation of Bob Ross, Denver luthier. I had been using Spiros (Weich A-G, Med E) but the E was muddy and not even output with the other strings. So far, I really like them! Nice and even volume across all 4 strings, nice growl on the E. Off to a jam this afternoon, will see how they do
 
Just put a set on my bass, at the recommendation of Bob Ross, Denver luthier. I had been using Spiros (Weich A-G, Med E) but the E was muddy and not even output with the other strings. So far, I really like them! Nice and even volume across all 4 strings, nice growl on the E. Off to a jam this afternoon, will see how they do
Just got back, 2 hrs with a trio (guitar, bass, drums). These strings are really nice, completely opened up the sound of my bass and they respond well to hard playing as well as soft, "fat note" playing. Very impressed with them.
 
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@bherman What kind of bass? Are you in Denver? I’m in the Springs, but may be interested in checking out the Perpetuals if you are open to that.
Hi Jim - I'm in Grand Junction - if you're ever in my corner of the state, you'd be welcome! The bass is a decent quality Carved Chinese bass. I bought it about 10 yrs ago and have had Bob Ross do a bunch of work on it, he's really got it's voice out now.
 
Instructor and I both have tried these on a few instruments now (2017 Golia, 2018 Scarameli, and one of his other students basses). I had them on the Golia for two weeks. Probably around 40 playing hours between orchestra rehearsal, a cabaret style gig, some chamber rehearsals, and solo practice time.

I think these are very clear while retaining a pleasant, organic warmth (after broken in!)- pizz sustains for days, arco sound is lovely and full, and again “clear” comes to mind before “bright”. Good volume on them. Competes with OFC, though not quite as meaty/midsy/throaty.

They are very soft, at least at 104.5 and 104 cm string lengths... both pizz and arco. I’m primarily a classical player with solo and orchestra and pick up a fair amount of musicals fwiw. I also only played the long E/C on two basses.

I was tempted to try and manage the softness, especially on the D and G where is gets close... but I felt it was difficult to get a dry and articulate sound with core/pitch on any sort of quick passage... just lost too much definition.

A and E were even more so... bowed beautiful once they were going, but it was easy to choke them out with too much weight—once they were sounding they were gorgeous though.

I think the would make a fantastic orchestra tuning solo/recital string, or a great string for musicals/hybrid stuff, but won’t take a beating like -I- need an orchestra strings to, maybe longer string length or better technique than I have ha

If you’re a jazz guy with a lighter touch and looking for the above sound, I think you’d really like them. If you have a heavier hand or like to dig in you might find yourself getting stuck in them a bit on up tempo things if you aren’t careful.
 
Folks,

I just installed the Perpetuals. I removed my 8-month-old EP Weichs. I think I came to the sad conclusion that the Weichs were dead this week. The volume decreased, and the sound was flat.

The Perpetuals pretty much live up to the hype. They sound great on my bass. The E string growl is crazy. To me, the tension is similar to the EP Weichs. They are bright. I am sure this will regulate as they break-in.

With the bow, they sound really good.

I did develop a buzz on the pizz"F" on my E string. Not sure what that is about. It doesn't happen with the bow. Weird.

I am excited to hear what these string sound like at the gig!
 
Folks,

I just installed the Perpetuals. I removed my 8-month-old EP Weichs. I think I came to the sad conclusion that the Weichs were dead this week. The volume decreased, and the sound was flat.

The Perpetuals pretty much live up to the hype. They sound great on my bass. The E string growl is crazy. To me, the tension is similar to the EP Weichs. They are bright. I am sure this will regulate as they break-in.

With the bow, they sound really good.

I did develop a buzz on the pizz"F" on my E string. Not sure what that is about. It doesn't happen with the bow. Weird.

I am excited to hear what these string sound like at the gig!

Buzz may be unwanted growl that’s what happened for me at least for a bit on the E string pizz. So double check you’re not confusing it for that. welcome to the club!
 
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I just replaced a dead set of Zyex lights tonight with a used set of Preps just to see what they're all about. My string history has been Spiro/Eudoxa in the 80s > Dominant solos > Obilgato weich > Evah weich > Zyex lights, so Perpetuals seem like they'd be a great fit for me.

From what has been described here on TB, their reputation indeed proceeds them! Even this used set has a solid fundamental, nice growl, and great touch. Im excited to see how they feel on the gig tomorrow.

High hopes for these strings!
 
Do the strings get substantially warmer and less-bright after broken in? I gave up on the strings after 4-5 days 'cause I wasn't feeling the pizz sound but I'm wondering if I should give them a solid go again..

Not Evah warm but they mellow down like spiros. If you like the broken in Spiro sound but this feel change them. If not I’ll pick up your set in the classifieds...
 
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thoughts from last nights test of a used-set (jazz trio):

I swapped in a used set of Preps the night before the gig, no other adjustments.

As someone pointed out earlier, they are a very soft touch. I found myself digging in (with ease) way too much—so much so I started a blister on my middle finger, I haven't done that since my Spiros days. so that'll be an adjustment on my part.

The general 'presence' of the bass was increased, the string has a solid fundamental and a nice 'bloom' to each note, without being overly 'complex' (if that makes sense). On this bass, the E string had the most 'growl' *maybe too much (very Spiro like IMO). The D was amazing with all the things im looking for; bottom thump/mid growl/great ping to the attack (reminds me of the feeling I got from Obligatos—without the roll:roflmao:). A and G were ok (with the A being closer to the D response). I like the feel of the G, both in tension and flexibility—Spiro Weich G always felt wimpy/nasally/thin to me—Preps feel solid under hand, thick in tone all the way up the neck (reminds me of Oblis again).

With that said I like the feel/tone and the general 'presence of the bass' in the room. I just need to recalibrate my attack, maybe raise my bridge a touch as I like to dig in, and adjust the post to see if I can get the same D str response across all four strings with a bit more focus.

Overall, I'd say that they live up to the descriptions/experiences here on TB. These may be my new string—if their popularity doesn't raise the MSRP.
 
I put the set on my juzek on June 13th 2019. As of today October 12th they have been on for 4 months, with a week off to test spiros again. Here is a quick video of how they sound. I am sorry for the "mouth clicking" while walking Theres no greater love. I've been working on and failing at not doing that when I play. I really love this set of strings I truly, truly don't consider another set for this bass at the moment. Since I started bass that hasn't happened. Might be helping that I have to experiment on my shen to find what it likes still. Enjoy:

 
I put the set on my juzek on June 13th 2019. As of today October 12th they have been on for 4 months, with a week off to test spiros again. Here is a quick video of how they sound. I am sorry for the "mouth clicking" while walking Theres no greater love. I've been working on and failing at not doing that when I play. I really love this set of strings I truly, truly don't consider another set for this bass at the moment. Since I started bass that hasn't happened. Might be helping that I have to experiment on my shen to find what it likes still. Enjoy:



That low growl!! Nicely done! Hmmm.. I think I am convinced.
 
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