Double Bass New! Pirastro Perpetual Double Bass strings

[TroyK]

My bass has a 42" mensure and tends to be a bit tighter than some other 3/4 basses, but it's still reasonably "normal".

I don't find Perpetuals to be floppy in any way. Nor do I find them to be thin feeling. They are round core strings which keeps them from feeling stiff and they are metal, so they aren't wimpy feeling.

 

[elmer]

Not as noodley has obligatos. Around the tension of Evah weich maybe a little lighter

I have to disagree here. When have you last tried the Oblis? I have a new set of Obligatos and I tried the A string right after the Perp A. The Obligato A felt stiffer and more tense. You can check the tensions from Pirastros web site, which confirms this. The A strings specs are:
Perp. 28,7kp, EPW 29,1kp and Oblig. 29,7kp. On the E string Obligatos have over two kp more tension than the Perp E.
By the way, I didn´t notice any rolling with the Obli A, so maybe they´ve changed something over the years.

 

[Sam Dingle]

I have to disagree here. When have you last tried the Oblis? I have a new set of Obligatos and I tried the A string right after the Perp A. The Obligato A felt stiffer and more tense. You can check the tensions from Pirastros web site, which confirms this. The A strings specs are:
Perp. 28,7kp, EPW 29,1kp and Oblig. 29,7kp. On the E string Obligatos have over two kp more tension than the Perp E.
By the way, I didn´t notice any rolling with the Obli A, so maybe they´ve changed something over the years.

Had a D and G on my bass a few years ago. My teacher played obligatos on his large 7/8ths bass and they always felt like rubber bands. Goes to show that it depends on the bass I guess.

 

[TroyK]

If they solved the rolling problem with E & A Obligatos, they should tell us, because it is real and a deal breaker for most, including me.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

I feel like my Perpetuals are starting to feel kind of rubbery and have definitely been losing volume and sustain over the last month, or so. I have a recording session in about a month so I might put a fresh set of strings on.

 

[lrhbass]

I was really impressed with the Perp. They felt and sounded great pizz and with bow. Changed all three basses to them over time, however the less stiffness allowed me to overplay them, which caused some hand problems. Went back to Spiro's this winter and all is well.
Too bad, really like the strings a lot. Be careful, you don't have to muscle them like Spiro's to get the same effect if you like to dig in..

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

I was really impressed with the Perp. They felt and sounded great pizz and with bow. Changed all three basses to them over time, however the less stiffness allowed me to overplay them, which caused some hand problems. Went back to Spiro's this winter and all is well.
Too bad, really like the strings a lot. Be careful, you don't have to muscle them like Spiro's to get the same effect if you like to dig in..

Last night I played my first upright bass gig since March: four hours of trad jazz on the porch of a New Orleans-themed restaurant during rainy weather. Even though I've been practicing and recording videos, my callouses have gotten soft. I was expecting sore fingertips, but I had no issues other then the humidity slowing me down. I really appreciated the nice feel under the left had with the Perpetuals. I never felt like they were digging into my fingers like I did with the Spriocores. I would have liked a bit more tension under the right hand, but it's a trade off. I may raise the string height a tad once I'm playing regularly and back in shape.

- Steve

 

[sean_on_bass]

I'd say Perps might be the best feeling steel string out there. One of the strengths of the set.

Also, first gig back and four hours? Ballsy move there. That would destroy me right now. Hope the breaks were long.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

Also, first gig back and four hours? Ballsy move there. That would destroy me right now. Hope the breaks were long.

Actually, we take very short breaks at this particular venue. The owners wife seems to be unaware of the concept of musicians taking breaks and has complained in the past

- Steve

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Florida...

 

[Barcza]

Not as noodley has obligatos. Around the tension of Evah weich maybe a little lighter

Hm, I currently use EP weich G,D with Obligato A,E but I feel the EP weich just slightly stiffer. Maybe I would not feel a lot change in tension with Perps too...

 

[TroyK]

Hm, I currently use EP weich G,D with Obligato A,E but I feel the EP weich just slightly stiffer. Maybe I would not feel a lot change in tension with Perps too...

I think that Perps would be a better match. EP's are stiff, though and they may still feel off.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

Hm, I currently use EP weich G,D with Obligato A,E but I feel the EP weich just slightly stiffer. Maybe I would not feel a lot change in tension with Perps too...

Perps are much lighter and feel different due to the metal Rope core.

 

[Michael Glynn]

Hm, I currently use EP weich G,D with Obligato A,E but I feel the EP weich just slightly stiffer. Maybe I would not feel a lot change in tension with Perps too...

I'm currently using Perpetuals with an Evah Weich G. According to Pirastro the tension is almost exactly the same between the Evah Weich G and the Perpetual G, but the Evah definitely feels stiffer. I actually like this as it seems to respond a little quicker than the Perpetual G. It blends very well with the Perpetuals on my bass. I also really like the Innovation Polychrome G with Perpetuals, but that is a somewhat darker and lower tension string.

 

[Barcza]

Perps are much lighter and feel different due to the metal Rope core.

You mean lighter than EP or Obli or both?

 

[DaveAceofBass]

You mean lighter than EP or Obli or both?

Both, but in a different way. They are probably closer to Obligato than EP.

 

[basss]

I have an Obli G over perps and it matches very well. I do remember the rest of the Obli set feeling spongier though but it's been maybe 10 years since I've used a full set.

 

[TroyK]

I may try that. I have one in my string box and well...I'm bored.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

I've had Perps on my bass for a couple months now. They replaced Jazzers which I found too stiff feeling for my taste. The Perps are a bit looser, have a nice growl, bow well, with kind of a mid-rangy tone. I like them, but I think I prefer the the heftier sound I get with Spiros.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

I just swapped my Perpetuals with a fresh set of Helicore Hybrids. As much as I liked the Perps, the Helicores do seem to open up the sound of my bass a lot more.