Double Bass New! Pirastro Perpetual Double Bass strings

[TroyK]

Try Jazzers. They're not the same, but they will seem similar and have a bit more tension.

I would love to know if there are plans to release any higher tension/gauge versions of the string(medium/heavy).

 

[sean_on_bass]

Try Jazzers. They're not the same, but they will seem similar and have a bit more tension.

Thanks for the rec...so many strings, so little time, hah.

 

[Mark Gollihur]

Mark, thank you for the heads up!!!

Any idea what the tension of these solo strings will be at standard (EADG) tuning? Also, their gauges would be very interesting.

No idea at all, as yet. The gauge difference will likely be negligible, and since most manufacturers design solo strings to emulate the tension of their "regular" strings, it's usually pretty informative to just take the existing medium gauge strings and detune them to DGCF tuning, to get an idea of what the solos at EADG would feel like.

 

[Don Kasper]

TMI -
OK - the Perp E/C is coming off... I'm going back to a Spiro Mittel E/C. (The Perp A,D,G are acceptable.)
The Perp E/C is unbalanced - too much Growl, not enough FUNdamental - ON MY BASS. And, it is still pissy & hissy under the bow.
Just ordered the Spiro from Lemur Music - $119.00 worth of Pure Teutonic Fundamental Awesomeness. (I'll keep the Perp as a backup, or a hang it on the wall as a constant reminder of my past transgression(s).)
Thanks.

 

[Sam Dingle]

TMI -
OK - the Perp E/C is coming off... I'm going back to a Spiro Mittel E/C. (The Perp A,D,G are acceptable.)
The Perp E/C is unbalanced - too much Growl, not enough FUNdamental - ON MY BASS. And, it is still pissy & hissy under the bow.
Just ordered the Spiro from Lemur Music - $119.00 worth of Pure Teutonic Fundamental Awesomeness. (I'll keep the Perp as a backup, or a hang it on the wall as a constant reminder of my past transgression(s).)
Thanks.

Glad you're liking the top 3. I love the whole set.

 

[rickwolff]

TMI -
I'll keep the Perp as a backup, or a hang it on the wall as a constant reminder of my past transgression(s).)
Thanks.

I'm thinking that's getting to be a very crowded wall.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

Okay, I can see why people couldn’t tell the difference between these strings and Obligatos in the other thread by @rickwolff

I installed the Perpetual strings on my Wunderlich hybrid today, replacing an eight-month old set of Obligatos. I immediately noticed how flexible the Perpetuals were when I took them out of the package, but once I installed them the tuning stabilized almost immediately. They are very similar in sound and feel to the Obligatos, but without any rolling on the lower strings. The pizzicato sound is clear and growly with good sustain, but they don’t have the punch and brightness of a new Spirocore. The arco response seems similar to Obligato as well. The real test will be on a gig. If they perform similarly to the Obligatos but with better durability and clarity when amplified, I think these may be the new standard for a hybrid string.

- Steve

I'm still happy with the Perpetuals on my Wunderlich and I just purchased a set for my carved E.H.Roth which is currently strung with Spirocores that installed in August of 2017. The Spiros still sound great pizz, but the softer feel and better arco response of the Perpetuals is compelling me to make a change.

- Steve

 

[Sam Dingle]

pardon my french but I %&$#!ng love these strings.

Threw a set on my new shen sb150 7/8ths bass and they are awesome. Bouncy tension but good resistance, plenty of volume, sustain everything. Great ping at the front of the note. Try these people.

 

[rickwolff]

pardon my french but I %&$#!ng love these strings.

Threw a set on my new shen sb150 7/8ths bass and they are awesome. Bouncy tension but good resistance, plenty of volume, sustain everything. Great ping at the front of the note. Try these people.

Hi Sam,

I'm still loving the perps on my Gemunder. Here's a little clip I just made with them. The XY mic has one element aiming at my bass and the other element aiming at the Genzler amp which is set flat and I'm running the Xlson mic into it.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

It seems like there's less marketing out there for these string than some of Pirastro's previous offerings. There's not much talk about them outside of this thread and not all of the usual retailers are carrying them yet. Only Gollihur Music provides information outside of Pirastro's description. Pirastro really needs a Facebook page too. The one on there now does not seem to be official and has nothing but unanswered questions and user videos.

- Steve

 

[rickwolff]

Maybe I should pick up and extra set or two just in case. I'd hate to see them end up going the way of Lycons just because Pirastro didn't market them.

 

[Sam Dingle]

Maybe I should pick up and extra set or two just in case. I'd hate to see them end up going the way of Lycons just because Pirastro didn't market them.

With the solo version coming out I doubt they'll be leaving any time soon.

 

[Sam Dingle]

Maybe I should pick up and extra set or two just in case. I'd hate to see them end up going the way of Lycons just because Pirastro didn't market them.

Only heard 1 person talk about Jazzer strings and using them often, and those are still around. I assume these are here to stay.

 

[sean_on_bass]

Confessional: I started to get obsessive thoughts about needing more tension on my bass so compulsively replaced my Perp D/G with Spiro Mittel, Perp A with Zyex Medium and left the Perp E. I went ahead and ordered a Spiro Mittel E/A which i will install when they arrive. I really think my Upton Ply likes medium strings and gets roaring from the increased tension. We will meet again Perps. Going in the string drawer for now. I may try them on my Upton Bohemian Hybrid when it arrives later in 2020 although i am getting it with Evah's first because i want to use that bass for more arco.

 

[Sam Dingle]

I’m excited to say that Pirastro has sent me a set of their solo strings for testing. Since they don’t have a low C extension solo string I’ll be testing these on the Shen. I’m out of town and away from the Bass and strings till after Christmas. I think I’ll play the Shen with the mediums on the bass for now and maybe throw the solos on down the line to see how they work out.

Wondering if @damonsmith will check out the solo strings. Would love to hear his thoughts

 

[bherman]

Just had my first chance to play these strings out with others; jazz trio (guitar, bass, drums). I used a Doubleshot with a Genz Benz Streamliner head. Full Circle pickup on my Shen 190 plugged directly into the amp, sounded great - nice and fat, warm, plenty loud with headroom to spare. These strings sound and feel exceptionally good to me. Very happy camper here.

 

[Sam Dingle]

looks like the solo F#/E string is designed to be heavier tension than the B/A string (talking the two low strings here). This seems to be different than the spiro solos where i'm told the E is the same as the A (or F# and B)

 

[Bigbassguy]

sam, with the regular perps can you explain how you adjusted for arco? can you describe any techniques you use to help the perps to sound nice?

thanks, jc

 

[Sam Dingle]

sam, with the regular perps can you explain how you adjusted for arco? can you describe any techniques you use to help the perps to sound nice?

thanks, jc

With arco I recommend ear plugs lol

I find them the same as spiros so consider that.


I switched back to pops and focused on where my bow was in relation to the bridge. Took about a month to be better. Only issue was the A was harder to speak at first

 

[Selim]

IMO these strings start pretty easily with the bow and produce clear pitches — similar to Spiro weichs, albeit a little darker and fuller.

I’m currently satisfied using the Perpetual EA with Innovation polychromes on top for both pizz & arco. The Innovations are louder.