Double Bass New! Pirastro Perpetual Double Bass strings

[Fran Diaz]

The Perps are the first strings that don’t have me thinking about the Oliv G. Very happy.

Greg, tonewise the Perp G was great, even out of the box, it sounded like a bass G string should or at least how I like them to sound: full, with body and weight but i couldn't get used to the small diameter and I gave up after a month. When I put my old Oliv G back it blended with the Perps and I'm loving the combination.

 

[Sam Dingle]

My only major complaint is the thinness. Not a deal breaker by any stretch but I notice it a little playing other basses and strings. I don't have a plan for an olive as I don't trust them so i'll just stay happy with these.

 

[elmer]

Well, Passiones got the stark version. I heard a rumour about plans of heavier Perpetuals. So maybe we´ll get a bit thicker version someday.

 

[Sam Dingle]

Well, Passiones got the stark version. I heard a rumour about plans of heavier Perpetuals. So maybe we´ll get a bit thicker version someday.

Where did you hear that?! I was told that wasn’t part of the plan

 

[Fran Diaz]

Anyway, I'd like thicker Perpetuals but with the same, or almost the same, tension.

 

[elmer]

I heard it from a bassist in a major European orchestra. I think Pirastro is their supplier. Section players seem to consider Perps too light for the orchestra... But let´s see what happens.

 

[Sam Dingle]

I heard it from a bassist in a major European orchestra. I think Pirastro is their supplier. Section players seem to consider Perps too light for the orchestra... But let´s see what happens.

thats awesome. I can see that being an issue. All basses are different, but on a few basses now, i've noticed they don't punch as much, I think a higher tension will fix that. My theory is that the higher tension would be perfect for my shen making it feel more like the juzek.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

All things considered equal, @Jake deVilliers is my luthier of choice by a huge margin, but I heard the boarder crossing is much worse that it used to be, so I'm just going to play on.

Just rumours Troika, rumours. The border's fine - you just have to pick the right time and place.

WSDOT - Canadian Border Area Traffic

 

[TroyK]

Anyway, I'd like thicker Perpetuals but with the same, or almost the same, tension.

If they were thicker, though, they'd have more tension.

 

[Fran Diaz]

If they were thicker, though, they'd have more tension.

Yeah, but maybe they can also design the new set with a different string lengths in mind as Thomastic's Spirocore so we can get less tension on a heavier set by installing a 4/4 version on a 3/4 bass.

 

[Sam Dingle]

Man this E string kills. Playing in a big band rehearsal and I play descending chords A, Ab, G, Gb, F, E and I’m gettin alll good looks. Growl and tone!

 

[Selim]

I’m giving these strings another chance.

I saw no reason to change out the old Spiro mitt E that pretty much stays on the bass no matter what — not only does it seem to go with everything, curiously it also appears to make the other strings sound better — but changed out all the others.

I’m liking them better on this go around, — they’re dark and full and clear — but a question —

When will the G ever settle down? It’s much more frisky than the others and sounds like it needs a spanking lol. Or maybe the question is, will it?

I’m already thinking about what might go with 2 Perps and a Spiro. Which calls to mind the old joke: “have you heard the one about ... 2 Perps and a Spiro were walking down the street and ...”

thanks for your input

 

[rickwolff]

I’m giving these strings another chance.

I saw no reason to change out the old Spiro mitt E that pretty much stays on the bass no matter what — not only does it seem to go with everything, curiously it also appears to make the other strings sound better — but changed out all the others.

I’m liking them better on this go around, — they’re dark and full and clear — but a question —

When will the G ever settle down? It’s much brighter and more frisky than the others and sounds like it needs a spanking lol. Or maybe the question is, will it?

I’m already thinking about what might go with 2 Perps and a Spiro. Which calls to mind the old joke: “have you heard the one about ... 2 Perps and a Spiro we’re walking down the street and ...”

thanks for your input

Yeah, they ran into a set of Eudoxas who took one look at them and said

"You guys ain't got no guts".

"and how'd you lose your G string?"

 

[basss]

I’m giving these strings another chance.

I saw no reason to change out the old Spiro mitt E that pretty much stays on the bass no matter what — not only does it seem to go with everything, curiously it also appears to make the other strings sound better — but changed out all the others.

I’m liking them better on this go around, — they’re dark and full and clear — but a question —

When will the G ever settle down? It’s much brighter and more frisky than the others and sounds like it needs a spanking lol. Or maybe the question is, will it?

I’m already thinking about what might go with 2 Perps and a Spiro. Which calls to mind the old joke: “have you heard the one about ... 2 Perps and a Spiro were walking down the street and ...”

thanks for your input

IME the G never settled after several months of regular play. I swapped it out for an obligato which balances better for me. You should try the perp E - It's got a really nice dark growl

 

[Selim]

You should try the perp E - It's got a really nice dark growl

I did but it came up a little short for me (not enough depth).

 

[Sam Dingle]

I’m giving these strings another chance.

I saw no reason to change out the old Spiro mitt E that pretty much stays on the bass no matter what — not only does it seem to go with everything, curiously it also appears to make the other strings sound better — but changed out all the others.

I’m liking them better on this go around, — they’re dark and full and clear — but a question —

When will the G ever settle down? It’s much more frisky than the others and sounds like it needs a spanking lol. Or maybe the question is, will it?

I’m already thinking about what might go with 2 Perps and a Spiro. Which calls to mind the old joke: “have you heard the one about ... 2 Perps and a Spiro were walking down the street and ...”

thanks for your input

G string settled in nicely for me. No issue or real thought of ever mixing this set (other than the thoughts of an Olive I have every few months).

Give it some time and a good amount of playing under the bow

 

[DaveAceofBass]

I had the Perps on my King Mortone, but they were too bright so I took them off and went back to my Spiro/Obligato mixed set. I loved the Spiro/Obligato set...it feels great and it is warmer than the full Spiro set or a Perpetual set. The problem with rolling on the Obligato doesn’t seem to be an issue with the 1st and 2nd strings. I like this set so much I ordered a new one to replace my old ones. The Perps are on my Kolstein carved bass. I like them a lot on that bass. I previously had Spiro 3885 Weich E and A with a Flex Deluxe D and G on that bass. That said, I like the Spiro / Obligato mixed set so much I’m thinking of getting two more Obligatos for that bass and putting that on there, as well as a Yamahiko pickup like the one I just got on my King.

 

[labravajazz]

I’ve finally installed the set of Perpetuals from Pirastro after several months looking at them whenever I opened the string drawer. I’ve put the on my circa 1820 large 7/8 bass which I have mostly played the last few years with all gut set Chorda and then Gamut. This bass likes a lower tension and most metal strings seem to choke it up. The only set that ever really worked was old LYCON but these are hard to find... Anyway for my taste gut can’t be beat for jazz pizz and for Arco too (as long as you are not in an orchestra requiring homogenous tone).
So... my review starts with replacing the gut one by one from the lower string up.
The E I had on for a few months before this was Pirastro Eudoxa and it sounded tremendous for me - full rich easy to bow or pizz and just the sustain and tone I love most.
So, the Perpetual E had a high bar to meet!
Initially my impression was mixed. Brighter but not overly bright. Sustain very good maybe a bit over the top for my taste compared to Eudoxa and not as deep.
The Eudoxa comes close to my favourite E for tone and response. The perpetual E came pretty close in both respects and improved after playing in. Certainly lively but not extremely metallic like spirocores for Arco or pizzicato but also not dull pizz and over hyped lows like many orchestral metal strings.
Arco got better and better over a couple of days of light practice and a couple of jazz gigs.
Somewhat thinner diameter than Eudoxa and a bit more tension (just going by the feel).
After a week the comparison is favourable - surprisingly so... not necessarily better than Eudoxa but very good IMHO.
Fat good pizz tone and natural sustain, plus easily playable with the bow and they blend well with gut strings above.
Disclaimer ! NB I am not an orchestral player but have done time in orchestra work half a lifetime ago and still have a fair idea of what is needed for classical work.
Step 2 : swap out the Eudoxa A for Perpetual A
To be continued!...

 

[Selim]

I have to say, I'm really liking these strings a lot more the 2nd time around.

Still using them with an old Spiro mitt E.
My only issue is (still) the G. It's not a deal breaker, but -- although the perp G gives a very full sound for a thin gauge, the pizz is still a bit too twangy in thumb position for my tastes and too bright with the bow. I'm hoping these G string issues will go away with more play.

But otherwise, on my "Schnitzer & DeSola special" (Germany/USA): an enthusiastic thumbs up: responsive, full & pretty loud with good sustain that isn't exaggerated; dark yet clear tone; and comfortable to play.

They check a lot of boxes.

 

[Sam Dingle]

I have to say, I'm really liking these strings a lot more the 2nd time around.

Still using them with an old Spiro mitt E.
My only issue is (still) the G. It's not a deal breaker, but -- although the perp G gives a very full sound for a thin gauge, the pizz is still a bit too twangy in thumb position for my tastes and too bright with the bow. I'm hoping these G string issues will go away with more play.

But otherwise, on my "Schnitzer & DeSola special" (Germany/USA): an enthusiastic thumbs up: responsive, full & pretty loud with good sustain that isn't exaggerated; dark yet clear tone; and comfortable to play.

They check a lot of boxes.

give your bridge adjuster half a turn, giving the G more room to move is a good call.