Double Bass New! Pirastro Perpetual Double Bass strings

[DoubleMIDI]

In general I prefer a lighter and synthetic core string on a solid body EUB. Since the bridge does not move as much as on an acoustic double bass, a steel core string might feel rather stiff.
Go one step less tension (medium to light or light to downtuned solo) and try a synthetic core string. Innovation Polychromes might be good if they are still available somewhere. But don't use a low action with synthetic core strings or they might rattle. Should be comparable to the double bass. Obligato might work too, but I dislike the high stretching of those.

I'm not sure about the tuners. If they are smaller diameter than DB tuners and less wide, synthetic core strings might not fit.

 

[Mark Gollihur]

Innovations are still available; GHS has purchased Innovation and has started sending out newly minted sets (I've already received several shipments.) That said, Innovations don't fit the NS basses well; they're 3/4-specific strings and come up a little short, with silk over the nut.

We just got the Perpetuals, and haven't tried them on the NXT yet. But I'd be prone to agree, they might not work as well as synthetic cored strings on the NXT. I like the Obligatos on the NXT; they work well.

 

[Francois Blais]

Got a sample set for testing yesterday from Pirastro.
I get a lot of core sound, they are quite supple despite having probably some tension, but they don't feel tight.
Put the G on this morning but it sounded quite shrill right after installation.
I hope it gets warmer when it settles in.
To be continued...

 

[Sam Dingle]

Got a sample set for testing yesterday from Pirastro.
I get a lot of core sound, they are quite supple despite having probably some tension, but they don't feel tight.
Put the G on this morning but it sounded quite shrill right after installation.
I hope it gets warmer when it settles in.
To be continued...

it gets a lot warmer after about a week of playing. I've been meaning to post an update. Maybe I'll do that now....

 

[Dave Zegna]

Innovations are still available; GHS has purchased Innovation and has started sending out newly minted sets (I've already received several shipments.) That said, Innovations don't fit the NS basses well; they're 3/4-specific strings and come up a little short, with silk over the nut.

We just got the Perpetuals, and haven't tried them on the NXT yet. But I'd be prone to agree, they might not work as well as synthetic cored strings on the NXT. I like the Obligatos on the NXT; they work well.

Thanks for indications... a little question: Is the Obligato set more "flatwound" than the d'addario ns base string? I know, it's a strange question but the base ns string are not so flat as IE the sadowsky set on my bongo 5 fretless

 

[Mark Gollihur]

Yes, Obligatos are VERY smooth and flat; you almost can't find the seams in the windings.

 

[Sam Dingle]

3 week old Strings. Just compaired to the 1st video G has calmed down slightly and the E/A start much easier. Maybe they broke in, maybe I learned how to deal with them. Who knows.

 

[Deleted member 132197]

In my experience (key point here ) the NS Contemporary strings are also quite flat. The biggest difference is that the Obligato is very flexible in comparison to the NS string.

See attached picture for a side to side between the two E strings (black winding NS Contemporary, green winding Obligato)

 

[Hoyt]

Short video demo, these were literally put on the bass 15 minutes before we shot it. Also, meet the new guy, Sam!

Thanks for doing this Mark!

To me, they sound like Spiros with a more pleasant arco tone.

That said, I think I’ll stick with my EP slaps for now...

 

[DaveAceofBass]

To me, they sound like Spiros with a more pleasant arco tone.

That said, I think I’ll stick with my EP slaps for now...

Spirocores with better arco sounds is EXACTLY what I want on my carved bass. I was considering the Evah Slaps on my plywood. It currently has Spiro S42 Weich E and A with Obligato Solo D and G (because it has a longer string length / more tension than my carved bass) Are you using the synthetic set?

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Holy Hell, the difference in arco response is shocking!

 

[Sam Dingle]

Holy Hell, the difference in arco response is shocking!

On mine or marks video?

 

[Mark_T]

Well, the pizz sounds awesome Sam - if I were a jazz player I'd be sold. The arco sound in your second video is very nice, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to jump ship from my Flex Deluxe GD and Permanent AE. It might be worth a try next time around, though.

 

[Sam Dingle]

Well, the pizz sounds awesome Sam - if I were a jazz player I'd be sold. The arco sound in your second video is very nice, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to jump ship from my Flex Deluxe GD and Permanent AE. It might be worth a try next time around, though.

Yep. I'm not 100% sure they'd be great for orchestra unless you like spiros in a section.

 

[Hoyt]

Spirocores with better arco sounds is EXACTLY what I want on my carved bass. I was considering the Evah Slaps on my plywood. It currently has Spiro S42 Weich E and A with Obligato Solo D and G (because it has a longer string length / more tension than my carved bass) Are you using the synthetic set?

I’m using the full synthetic set and love everything about them except the G string. It has an aluminum wrap that I just can’t bond with. I’m still experimenting with different options for the G though.

Mind you, I mostly slap, pizz, and occasionally play arco.

 

[Mark_T]

Yep. I'm not 100% sure they'd be great for orchestra unless you like spiros in a section.

I did use Spire Weichs for orchestra playing for a hot minute; they projected well and had a lot of clarity, but I never loved the tone - not much warmth or richness. I could bow them well enough, though - not much harder to handle than Original Flexocores.

 

[Sam Dingle]

big price difference at quantum bass center. $279 for an extension set. Wondering how this will play out...

 

[rickwolff]

Short video demo, these were literally put on the bass 15 minutes before we shot it. Also, meet the new guy, Sam!

WOW! Nice sounding strings. Both Pizz and Arco. And that on a laminate bass LOL.

I bet they sound awesome on a nice carved bass.

Nice playing, too!

 

[rickwolff]

3 week old Strings. Just compaired to the 1st video G has calmed down slightly and the E/A start much easier. Maybe they broke in, maybe I learned how to deal with them. Who knows.

Sam, thanks again for all the great videos.

I had to turn down the volume when you bowed the low C. I think the foundation of my house was about to crack.

 

[Don Hergert]

3 week old Strings. Just compaired to the 1st video G has calmed down slightly and the E/A start much easier. Maybe they broke in, maybe I learned how to deal with them. Who knows.

I think the foundation of my house was about to crack.

My glasses cracked.