Double Bass New! Pirastro Perpetual Double Bass strings

[RBrownBass]

I put on a full set a couple of days ago, coming from Obli GD and Mitt AE. I'm extremely happy with them early in. The E and A are definitely more comfortable than the Mitts, and growlier without venturing into whine or even much mwah. I've finally come to the realization that I'm pretty much the opposite of a tension junkie, but I could not get much warmth out of the Animas I tried for a while before I put the Mitt/obli combo. These Perps are warmer and more... solid/immediate/deeper than the Velvets. The Perps are closer in sound to what I've come to expect from the Mitts but aren't killing my fingers. The Velvets had great flexibility and were comfy at a reasonable height (7-11 mm), but on my bass under my fingers, they were almost twangy. These Perps are a great medium between the sound of Spiros and the playability of the Velvets, while not quite reaching either string's best characteristic. They also seem to be more consistent positionwise. I can't really feel a huge difference between the tension of the Oblis and the Perps on the GD, but if I had to guess, I'd say the Perps are slightly more comfortable. Using them now at 5-9mm and not tearing my hands to bits.

 

[sean_on_bass]

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.

Light or Mediums? Do you think it is the increased tension that caused the difference in sound?

 

[PBandJazzBass]

Light or Mediums? Do you think it is the increased tension that caused the difference in sound?

Mediums. I've used HH lights on and off for years but wanted to give the mediums a try in an attempt to get more volume. I honestly think the Perpetuals had less tension than the HH lights that preceded them. The HH mediums are definitely louder and have more bottom. The biggest advantage that the Perps had, at least on my bass, is that they handled the bow better than the HH's probably will.

 

[Bisounourse]

I put on a full set a couple of days ago, coming from Obli GD and Mitt AE. I'm extremely happy with them early in. The E and A are definitely more comfortable than the Mitts, and growlier without venturing into whine or even much mwah. I've finally come to the realization that I'm pretty much the opposite of a tension junkie, but I could not get much warmth out of the Velvets I tried for a while before I put the Mitt/obli combo. These Perps are warmer and more... solid/immediate/deeper than the Velvets. The Perps are closer in sound to what I've come to expect from the Mitts but aren't killing my fingers. The Velvets had great flexibility and were comfy at a reasonable height (7-11 mm), but on my bass under my fingers, they were almost twangy. These Perps are a great medium between the sound of Spiros and the playability of the Velvets, while not quite reaching either string's best characteristic. They also seem to be more consistent positionwise. I can't really feel a huge difference between the tension of the Oblis and the Perps on the GD, but if I had to guess, I'd say the Perps are slightly more comfortable. Using them now at 5-9mm and not tearing my hands to bits.

Which Velvets are you referring to?

 

[sean_on_bass]

Mediums. I've used HH lights on and off for years but wanted to give the mediums a try in an attempt to get more volume. I honestly think the Perpetuals had less tension than the HH lights that preceded them. The HH mediums are definitely louder and have more bottom. The biggest advantage that the Perps had, at least on my bass, is that they handled the bow better than the HH's probably will.

Thanks, i've only used the HH lights but would agree with everything you said on their comparison to the Perps. I switched from Perps to Spiro Mediums and definitely saw an increase in loudness/fullness/punchiness of the sound.

 

[Slim Pickins]

I switched from Perps to Spiro Mediums and definitely saw an increase in loudness/fullness/punchiness of the sound.

Unfortunately me too. Love the feel of the Perps though.

 

[RBrownBass]

Which Velvets are you referring to?

Sorry, Animas. I can't believe I left that out.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

I put on a full set a couple of days ago, coming from Obli GD and Mitt AE. I'm extremely happy with them early in. The E and A are definitely more comfortable than the Mitts, and growlier without venturing into whine or even much mwah. I've finally come to the realization that I'm pretty much the opposite of a tension junkie, but I could not get much warmth out of the Animas I tried for a while before I put the Mitt/obli combo. These Perps are warmer and more... solid/immediate/deeper than the Velvets. The Perps are closer in sound to what I've come to expect from the Mitts but aren't killing my fingers. The Velvets had great flexibility and were comfy at a reasonable height (7-11 mm), but on my bass under my fingers, they were almost twangy. These Perps are a great medium between the sound of Spiros and the playability of the Velvets, while not quite reaching either string's best characteristic. They also seem to be more consistent positionwise. I can't really feel a huge difference between the tension of the Oblis and the Perps on the GD, but if I had to guess, I'd say the Perps are slightly more comfortable. Using them now at 5-9mm and not tearing my hands to bits.

I’ve been using Spiro Weich AE w/ Obligato Solo DG on my 43.5” scale King Mortone, and love that combo. On my carved bass I’ve had the Perps for a a while and like them a lot, but they didn’t sound as good on the King. Prior to Perps I had the Spiro 3/4 Weich EA and Flex Deluxe DG on my carved bass...this combo sounded quite good. However I think I’m curious how the carved bass would sound with Obligato DG and Spiro 3/4 Weich AE....I have a feeling I’ll eventually get around to trying it when I get some gigs again!

 

[Selim]

Why wait? It seems to me that this is the perfect time to experiment.

And practice. It’s really not funny, but all my musician friends and I are joking about how the level of musicianship (technique) is going to go up a few notches — nobody’s working, everybody’s at home practicing

 

[AGCurry]

... all my musician friends and I are joking about how the level of musicianship (technique) is going to go up a few notches — nobody’s working, everybody’s at home practicing

Well, practice is good ... but one hour of performance is worth several hours of practice.

 

[Selim]

True — some things can’t be achieved thru practice

 

[sean_on_bass]

Why wait? It seems to me that this is the perfect time to experiment.

And practice. It’s really not funny, but all my musician friends and I are joking about how the level of musicianship (technique) is going to go up a few notches — nobody’s working, everybody’s at home practicing

That's been my joke too, but i have hard so many folks say they lack the motivation to practice so i think alot will come back rusty, hopefully with an evolved perspective.

I've actually been trying to work on a number of things and have been practicing multiple hours most days since this all began. It felt like i wasn't getting anywhere until i got the call for a gig in July, at which point it started to come together. Something about that gig on the horizon forced me to make all the things i was working on a bit more cohesive. It also got me to think about what matters most, which is my rhythm chops.

 

[RBrownBass]

I’ve been using Spiro Weich AE w/ Obligato Solo DG on my 43.5” scale King Mortone, and love that combo. On my carved bass I’ve had the Perps for a a while and like them a lot, but they didn’t sound as good on the King. Prior to Perps I had the Spiro 3/4 Weich EA and Flex Deluxe DG on my carved bass...this combo sounded quite good. However I think I’m curious how the carved bass would sound with Obligato DG and Spiro 3/4 Weich AE....I have a feeling I’ll eventually get around to trying it when I get some gigs again!

I do want to point out that I'm very happy with the balance of the E with everything else- I didn't mention this in my earlier post, but everything else I tried ended up with me putting the Mitt E back on (Zyex mediums, Preludes, Animas, Oblis). I don't feel any need to do this with the Perps.

I really, really wanted to like the Mitts, but I like these more. They actually sound just a bit like Spiros that have been broken in, and the ability to raise them a bit higher seems to compensate for what I expected to be a drop in volume. Yeah, I'm willing to buy a new set every year or so...

Why wait? It seems to me that this is the perfect time to experiment.

Agreed totally. It's not going to tell you exactly what you'll sound like in different places/with different people, but it gives you time to let the strings settle in, both on the bass and under your fingers. When you do gig, the variables of newness and familiarity are no longer a factor.

 

[logdrum]

I might try these strings. I have been using Flexocor deluxe with a Spiro E and everything feels stiffer these days after I moved back to drier climate or maybe the FDs are done? They have been on over a year and played a lot.

 

[logdrum]

I hate changing strings but I want to try these soon. Already have them on my cart st String Emporium but then I see some played solos also. Paging @Sam Dingle -- pages back you also tried solos. How are they bowing and volume wise but it seems you also had a big or even longer bass - was that a 7/8. I have a standard 41 3/4 with a high overstand (higher than al 3/4 I had or tried) but low saddle. Other's too like @Selim who used Flexocor Deluxe. Sorry to revive this thread but appreciate helping a brother out.

And if anyone wants to part with one. Shoot me a PM

 

[Sam Dingle]

I hate changing strings but I want to try these soon. Already have them on my cart st String Emporium but then I see some played solos also. Paging @Sam Dingle -- pages back you also tried solos. How are they bowing and volume wise but it seems you also had a big or even longer bass - was that a 7/8. I have a standard 41 3/4 with a high overstand (higher than al 3/4 I had or tried) but low saddle. Other's too like @Selim who used Flexocor Deluxe. Sorry to revive this thread but appreciate helping a brother out.

And if anyone wants to part with one. Shoot me a PM

So my bass that i tried the solos on was a 7/8 shen and they felt cool. I would say get the orchestra gauge first and see. Theres a set for sale on here with an extended E string, I may take that E if you want the ADG...

 

[logdrum]

So my bass that i tried the solos on was a 7/8 shen and they felt cool. I would say get the orchestra gauge first and see. Theres a set for sale on here with an extended E string, I may take that E if you want the ADG...

I have a mittel Spiro E on it now - would that ADG work well under that - yeah we can do that.

 

[Sam Dingle]

I have a mittel Spiro E on it now - would that ADG work well under that - yeah we can do that.

yeah a spiro E would do fine i think. i do love the perp E though

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

I got a new set of Perpetuals for Father's Day

I'm happy. No desire to try anything else at this point.

- Steve

 

[Sam Dingle]

Lets see if they come back to life, but I think the strings are dead. few weeks over a year old. Threw the G back on real quick and it was lifeless. day or 2 and the olive went back on and it sounded brighter and better. The E suddenly stopped having any sustain. Super dead. Bowed like a dream though! I threw a spirocore on the E and its much better. The A/D strings are very thuddy though. I'm not super upset though. I can justify these once a year because they're my favorite. The spiro E, perp AD and olive G is nice. I may just let it last till august and then throw a new full set on in august.