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Double Bass New! Pirastro Perpetual Double Bass strings
- Thread starter luisraulmunoz
- Start date
I used Spirocore solos for a while during an injury. It was fun, they sounded great. I kept them in case I ever needed or wanted them again, but I've never been tempted. They didn't feel THAT MUCH different than weich, but I can't really make a good case for the average player using solo strings at orchestral pitch for normal use. I have thought about doing it with strings that I liked, but thought were too stiff or heavy like say...Superflexibles.
But, I really can't make a compelling case for doing so unless you had a very specific reason or you just wanted the experience.
Curious about this also.
Herve Jeane mentions in his video when comparing the medium Perps with Sweichs that they have a similar feel/tension.
I didn't care for the Perp EA when I tried the whole set. And even though I don't mind Sweich DG, I'd prefer something a little darker and rounder on top. So, this combination sounds like it could work.
I had the same experience with solo Dominants tuned down. Really fun to play, but the essential qualities of what makes a bass sound like a bass (to me) were missing.
I also kept mine - I might need them later on in life.
I've been hoping that a string at some point would be so right for my bass that it would just be super clear the moment I put them on. I really liked the perps when I tried them, they sound great. But on my bass the Perp solos are crazy great sounding. On my old 7/8 they would be a mess but on my small bodied bass the solos are just brilliant. The solos tuned down a step are an excellent separate string from the med. What I like? The fact that the lower strings sing all the way up:THe C on the E string is not a dull thud but a real singing note which makes playing across the stings so much more lyrical. The tension across is even and the notes jump off the strings. Not a twangy nightmare but nice darkish but singing strings, that are super easy to play. I like em.
Yes the ARCO! also being able to press the low strings down effortlessly when you are walking (in first position) and keep them down a tad longer for the sustain, so that the legato lines have more note to note connectivity, also sliding into notes all of it is just more musical...what I mean by that is that if I am able to use more musical devices (slides, legato, octaves, pulloffs, etc) comfortably and fluidly then the music is enhanced.
I think that these strings are the right diameter and tension for this bass, they are in proportion and suddenly everything is better. If I had 6 in fingers maybe I could do the same with spirocores and a 7/8 bass but these strings feel so right. Also the G: I thought I would be looking for an Olive G because I was expecting a buzzy worse then spiro G. Not so. The G is OK.
That look of Edgar's left hand when he is caressing all those fabulous articulations out of his bass (even when accompanying) is partly because he is able to not fight the tension and diameter of the strings. Yeah these (again ON MY BASS) are great strings.
I think that these strings are the right diameter and tension for this bass, they are in proportion and suddenly everything is better. If I had 6 in fingers maybe I could do the same with spirocores and a 7/8 bass but these strings feel so right. Also the G: I thought I would be looking for an Olive G because I was expecting a buzzy worse then spiro G. Not so. The G is OK.
That look of Edgar's left hand when he is caressing all those fabulous articulations out of his bass (even when accompanying) is partly because he is able to not fight the tension and diameter of the strings. Yeah these (again ON MY BASS) are great strings.
41.5 regular 3/4 size. He can make them (Andrea Spada) shorter....I think the Machado is 1/2 size and I think @Kristian's is shorter too but I wanted it to match my other bass.
I have tried lighter strings on bigger basses and it can sometimes sound like a thong on a big butt looks (some people dig it I guess) but on this bass (which is carved and designed for maximum resonance) the lighter gauge is an enhancement
I have tried lighter strings on bigger basses and it can sometimes sound like a thong on a big butt looks (some people dig it I guess) but on this bass (which is carved and designed for maximum resonance) the lighter gauge is an enhancement
I like, Obligatos, so much, It has some similar growl like, Spiros, but better feel under finger, and lacks the metallic edge, what I don’t like in Spiros...I can deal with the rolling...My only problem with, the Obligato is the lasting...This Perp strings, reminds me to Oblis, based on Hervé’s video, how compared the lasting of Perps to Oblis?
Much longer. You should try them. Mine are over a year old and are still okay. Granted, I've had maybe 2 gigs this year, but they are a much more stable and durable string than Obligatos.
The "rope core" construction produces a similar feel, though they are less similar than Perps would be compared to other steel, rope core strings.
TMI, FYI, IMFO.
The ironically named Perpetuals (G,D,A) have been replaced by 3 Spiro Mittels to match the Spiro Mittel E/C. (I'm trying the Spiro Mittel G, as I HATE the Spiro Weich G. I usually use a Weich A and D, and some other G.)
We'll see how they feel and sound under the bow, after they sit for a day or 2, and I've consumed a pot or 2 of coffee - intravenously.
The Perps were on for 11 months and were beginning to sound a bit dull (on my bass.) I usually get at least a year and a half, or two, with Spiros.
No Regrets. Live and Learn. The Grass is Always Greener. Prodigal Son. You Don't Know What You've Got, Till It's Gone. Don't Reinvent the Wheel.
You get the point.
Thanks.
The ironically named Perpetuals (G,D,A) have been replaced by 3 Spiro Mittels to match the Spiro Mittel E/C. (I'm trying the Spiro Mittel G, as I HATE the Spiro Weich G. I usually use a Weich A and D, and some other G.)
We'll see how they feel and sound under the bow, after they sit for a day or 2, and I've consumed a pot or 2 of coffee - intravenously.
The Perps were on for 11 months and were beginning to sound a bit dull (on my bass.) I usually get at least a year and a half, or two, with Spiros.
No Regrets. Live and Learn. The Grass is Always Greener. Prodigal Son. You Don't Know What You've Got, Till It's Gone. Don't Reinvent the Wheel.
You get the point.
Thanks.
11 month is not that bad, i think. It is just the pricedifference. In germany 170 (spiro) vs 230 EUR (perpetual).
ill start with every bass is different and this story may not happen to you:
My professor Rodney Jordan has 3 basses, a high end kolstein that is his main bass, an old kay (id guess 40s) and a 90s german made carved bass. the Kolstein is a huge sounding bass. I've heard it with every spiro set after i convinced him to try starks and each one is just loud. right now he has a stark E and light ADG...feels weird but sounds awesome.
On the kay he has pollychromes because he says he likes the dull sound and lack of sustain
on the german hes never found a set he likes. he calls(called) it his old man bass. every string sounds ok but the bass never has a good sound. everything from evahs to spiros to zyex bottom out and the bass has a short dynamic ceiling. he calls it the old man bass cuz thats what he'll use when he gets older. Jump to last week when we're doing a zoom lesson and he says he needs a new set. Being the known string geek he plays it for me, tells me about it and I say why not try the perpetuals. he orders a set, throws them on...
AND BOOM!! The bass roars! he says unlike anything he's ever heard before. played side by side with the kolstein if i'm not looking volume wise i can't tell a difference (tone yes). Bass has come to life. No more babying it. The sound is there. i assume something with the tension and looseness of the perpetuals help open it up.
Just to prove AGAIN that each bass is different and they MIGHT work for you.
My perpetual update. Went back to a full set letting go of my olive G. It was super nice but under the bow i can tell the difference between the bottom 3. pizz no issue and tuning was fine. Full set is great though. For some reason I haven't been getting called for gigs lately so I'm just practicing. Took longer to break them in but yesterday I played a live streamed concert with my combo and the sound was good. I can link to that if anyones interested.
My professor Rodney Jordan has 3 basses, a high end kolstein that is his main bass, an old kay (id guess 40s) and a 90s german made carved bass. the Kolstein is a huge sounding bass. I've heard it with every spiro set after i convinced him to try starks and each one is just loud. right now he has a stark E and light ADG...feels weird but sounds awesome.
On the kay he has pollychromes because he says he likes the dull sound and lack of sustain
on the german hes never found a set he likes. he calls(called) it his old man bass. every string sounds ok but the bass never has a good sound. everything from evahs to spiros to zyex bottom out and the bass has a short dynamic ceiling. he calls it the old man bass cuz thats what he'll use when he gets older. Jump to last week when we're doing a zoom lesson and he says he needs a new set. Being the known string geek he plays it for me, tells me about it and I say why not try the perpetuals. he orders a set, throws them on...
AND BOOM!! The bass roars! he says unlike anything he's ever heard before. played side by side with the kolstein if i'm not looking volume wise i can't tell a difference (tone yes). Bass has come to life. No more babying it. The sound is there. i assume something with the tension and looseness of the perpetuals help open it up.
Just to prove AGAIN that each bass is different and they MIGHT work for you.
My perpetual update. Went back to a full set letting go of my olive G. It was super nice but under the bow i can tell the difference between the bottom 3. pizz no issue and tuning was fine. Full set is great though. For some reason I haven't been getting called for gigs lately so I'm just practicing. Took longer to break them in but yesterday I played a live streamed concert with my combo and the sound was good. I can link to that if anyones interested.
I've had mine on for about a year. I bought a new set and keep meaning to change them but the old ones still sound good enough to play. I do miss the killer growl these strings had when new. FWIW I kept my last set of spiros on for several years and oblis lasted about nine months for me.
I am trying the Perp G with well broken in Spiros and also trying to adjust to the thinness. It’s only been a couple of days on the bass and while the Perp G sounds fine on it’s own, it doesn’t blend with the Spiros. I’ll give it some more time, hoping 1) it will blend in better with more play in time and 2) I’ll get more used to the thinness.
I’ve reached a point where the G is the only variable for me — the Spiros (weich DA, mittel E) aren’t going anywhere.
p.s I did try the full Perp set a while back. Nice, but not enough oomph on my bass.
