• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass New! Pirastro Perpetual Double Bass strings

#1,541
So I just got my regular G and D Perpetuals to go with the regular A and E. I am really digging the complete set. To me, they sound and feel now like a cohesive, consistent set. I can definitely see why some would prefer the Starks, but for me presently I’m into the looser feel of the regulars.

Probably not surprisingly, I’m coming from a mixed set of solo strings tuned down (Evah P and Flex Dlx), and these regular Perpetuals are pretty close to the solo string tuned down vibe. That said, Pirastro is nuts to not put out a whole Stark set. That would surely find many fans.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HateyMcAmp
#1,545
dfp said:
Edit from my last post: I remembered incorrectly, my envelopes for the Starks did NOT say “Perpetual/Oliv”. I know I saw that written somewhere, maybe on the sales invoice… regardless…
Click to expand...

when they were being tested they were marked as Perpetual/Oliv because of the oliv like rings on the peg ends. that name has pretty much gone away and I assume they are just considered stark now
 
#1,546
Got a pair of Starks in the mail (D&G).
Honestly, I thought the tone would be darker, but to me, it's about the same as the originals, with a bit more meat.
I get the same nasal character, particularly on the G, which I don't like at all.
I get a similar nasal character from Spiros, FWIW.
Mid or high mid emphasis?
I rather play a set of Superflexibles with a Spiro Mitt E, thanks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sam Dingle and Selim
#1,547
Francois Blais said:
Got a pair of Starks in the mail (D&G).
Honestly, I thought the tone would be darker, but to me, it's about the same as the originals, with a bit more meat.
I get the same nasal character, particularly on the G, which I don't like at all.
I get a similar nasal character from Spiros, FWIW.
Mid or high mid emphasis?
I rather play a set of Superflexibles with a Spiro Mitt E, thanks.
Click to expand...
How would you compare the Perpetual Starks' tone colour to Evah Pirazzis? Do you find the Superflexibles to be darker, or just preferable?
 
#1,548
Francois Blais said:
Got a pair of Starks in the mail (D&G).
Honestly, I thought the tone would be darker, but to me, it's about the same as the originals, with a bit more meat.
I get the same nasal character, particularly on the G, which I don't like at all.
I get a similar nasal character from Spiros, FWIW.
Mid or high mid emphasis?
I rather play a set of Superflexibles with a Spiro Mitt E, thanks.
Click to expand...

Give them a month to settle. The nasal thing goes away, (for me, on my basses).
 
#1,550
BassBurns said:
How would you compare the Perpetual Starks' tone colour to Evah Pirazzis? Do you find the Superflexibles to be darker, or just preferable?
Click to expand...
I see no comparison between the Stark Perps and the EP.
Please note I'm a pizz player only.
But I'd say the Stark Perps have a much more complex tone.
I always found the EPs somewhat bland to be honest.
Superflexibles are much harder to play, they have more tension and are less flexibles than Perps.
JBarz said:
Give them a month to settle. The nasal thing goes away, (for me, on my basses).
Click to expand...
Oh, cool!
I'll put them back on the burner then, and pray that they settle in fast. :)
TroyK said:
Tension wise, Perpetuals and Superflexibles are very different strings. I think that it's tough to compare them in a way that would apply to most basses.
Click to expand...
Indeed!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fat bob, Povl Carstensen, BassBurns and 1 other person
#1,551
TroyK said:
Tension wise, Perpetuals and Superflexibles are very different strings. I think that it's tough to compare them in a way that would apply to most basses.
Click to expand...
Lots of people seem to compare the regular Perpetuals to Spirocore Weichs though. Are the Superflexibles that different a beast to the Spirocores? I was thinking about the 4/4 versions on a 3/4 bass in particular (so the tension difference wouldn't be quite so great).
 
Last edited:
#1,553
BassBurns said:
Lots of people seem to compare the regular Perpetuals to Spirocore Weichs though. Are the Superflexibles that different a beast to the Spirocores? I was thinking about the 4/4 versions on a 3/4 bass in particular (so the tension difference wouldn't be quite so great).
Click to expand...

Superflexibles are significantly stiffer and higher tension than Spirocore Weich. Probably close to 3/4 Mittel, but check the data. More or less tension is a big factor on some basses, others seem to do well with whatever. A bass that needs tension is probably not going to like Perpetuals and a bass that doesn't handle tension well won't be happy with Superflexibles.

BassBurns said:
I only ask because in one of Hervé Jeanne's videos he suggests the regular Perpetuals and Evah Pirazzis are quite similar:
Click to expand...


I agree with Francois that Evah Pirazzis acheive that "warm gutlike tone" at the expense of clarity and neuance. It's a tradeoff that some people like. Perpetuals are more like Spirocores, but with their own character.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Povl Carstensen, bassfiddlesteve, Francois Blais and 1 other person
#1,555
Watching his video, but it makes more sense understanding that he is using Perpetuals for E and A and Pirazzis for D and G. Lower pitched strings are always darker and can be muddy. I find Evah Pirazzis especially muffled on the lower strings, so he's using brighter (Perpetuals) to compensate on E and A. It sounds like a nice mix on the bass he's using.

Hervé, if you see this post nice playing! Thanks for all of the string info that you share.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mjt0229, Martin Spure, Povl Carstensen and 1 other person
#1,557
I tried perpetuals again, this time on my Shen hybrid bass. They really feel great and sound very good, lots of pitch definition without feeling or sounding too metallic. Tension is a comfy medium light, although they felt tighter on my old Shen ply. The arco feels like a step down from Evah Weich but I’m a primary pizz guy so I’m not sure how much of it is user error. They seem slightly looser than the Evahs, but due to the steel core they’re a little more fatiguing to my left hand. All and all they seem pretty similar feel wise, which was a pleasent surprise. Some steel strings feel really tight and wiry on this bass.

I tried the stark D and G and like them. The G is a winner, the D is very thick and I’m not sure it’s the best on my bass. I tend to like thicker G strings but I can get tripped up on heavier D strings. With the stark D the set reminds me a bit of superflexibles, which have a D and A that are pretty much the same gauge. It has a great meaty sound though.

Ordered a standard perp D to try, if it’s not too whiny on my bass I suspect I’ll like it a lot. The brightness on the E and A are perfect on this bass so if it’s similar I’ll be very happy.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Drew Tanner and bassfiddlesteve
#1,559
Fat bob said:
Has anyone compared the Perpetual Stark G (and D) with the beloved olivs?? Similar? I really liked the olivs but if these starks are similar and offer better tuning stability than Iam interested!
Click to expand...

Starks are a great alternative I think. I had an olive G with the perpetuals on for a bit and went back to the perpetuals for tuning stability and i didnt like the short decay of the olive. when i got the stark it had best of both strings to me
 
  • Like
Reactions: TroyK and Fat bob

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back