Double Bass New! Pirastro Perpetual Double Bass strings

[PBandJazzBass]

Played a wedding gig tonight with a 17 piece Big Band using the Perps over the Weich E and it sounded & felt good to me.

I didn’t notice any differences in tone or feel when moving between the E and the other strings.

 

[Jeff Kissell]

I played a wedding last night as well and had forgotten how well the Perpetuals amplify… Trio hit outside on a patio and man did it sound sweet.

 

[Kai Sanchez]

I have a practically new set that was on my bass the last 24 hours. If any one wants it for $180 I’ll ship them tomorrow. Too dark and tense for my bass. It’s the regular perpetual set. Thanks.

Posted in classifieds.

 

[gkuprightelecbs]

Dipping my foot into the perpetual realm, just put on the full set, but the g sounded much more dead than the ead for some reason, so I swapped it with a gut g and awaiting stark g in the mail. HOWEVER, I am very impressed so far with the e a and d strings, everything other than the g string I liked. they felt and sounded really nice , obviously the sound and feel changed a little bit now with the gut but still happy with them so far. Also great about these strings is I have them pretty jacked up right now to accommodate for the gut g and they still feel good, not stiff like a lot of other strings cranked up high.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

I’ve had similar experiences with the G. Once the whole set breaks in, they even out considerably.

 

[DanL]

Recently put Perpetual Stark G and Stark D on my bass (Mid 1800’s German) A & E are Spirocores)
I am very happy with the results thus far.

 

[gkuprightelecbs]

eh I wouldn't like the g string sound in the full broken in set either, it's like a dead evah sound which I don't care for, maybe I just got a bad one... anyway still awaiting the stark g, will report back my thoughts

 

[PBandJazzBass]

Had a rehearsal for an orchestral gig this morning. Been a while since I’ve played one and first time with Perps on my bass.

I agree with the consensus they’re not necessarily easier to bow than Spiros. But they do sound good under the bow, at least on my bass.

 

[DanL]

Since replacing my Spiro G & D with Perpetual’s I’ve played two different musical theater shows and at least on my bass they do bow easier than Spirocore’s and the G sounds so much better in general

 

[bassically_eli]

Seems like most players find Spirocore Weichs bow significantly better than the Mittels. I know I certainly do. So it probably depends on which flavor of Spiro one is comparing.

 

[Aidan Woodward]

I would say the Perps maybe are a little easier to bow than Spirocore weichs but I think the real difference is the the perps are noticeably less “scratchy” sounding. Especially on the G.

 

[TroyK]

Seems like most players find Spirocore Weichs bow significantly better than the Mittels. I know I certainly do. So it probably depends on which flavor of Spiro one is comparing.

I THINK it depends on what the bass responds best to. I think any gauge might be best for any particular bass.

There is a classical player in the Spirocore challenge who just posted that he has a new set of starks.

 

[Don Hergert]

There is a classical player in the Spirocore challenge who just posted that he has a new set of starks.

My observation is that Spiro Starks seem to get the least press, probably proportional with the number of folks who use them. I doubt that the reasons for this are related to volume, tone or play-ability; I think this is more related to perceived DB/neck condition, hand strength and hand conditions.

Interestingly, as far as I've been able to find, it appears that Spiro Starks are only available in S42 (4/4) lengths; I've not been able to find them in 3885 (3/4) lengths yet.

Note: There are a lot of people who speak of using an individual E or other string from a Stark set.

Questions: Do any of those of you who are using Perps use the Stark D and Stark G? Gollihur's string description mentions they are about the same tension as the normal Perp D and G. Impressions? Regarding tension, are Perps with the Stark D and Stark G more like Spiro Mittels, or Spiro Weich (especially considering that Perps are also available as Solo sets)?

 

[DoubleMIDI]

There is a good reason why Spiro Stark strings are only available for 4/4 scale instruments.

The shorter the scale, the thicker the string needs to be for the same pitch and tension keeping the same string construction design.
And the higher the tension the thicker the string too keeping all the other parameters the same.

A thicker string is less flexible and therefor doesn‘t speak as well as a thinner string.
For that reason Thomastik also has low C strings replacing low B strings for the 3/4 Spiros available.

Also larger instruments may need a higher tension to speak well.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

Questions: Do any of those of you who are using Perps use the Stark D and Stark G?

I’m currently using the regulars. I’ve considered trying the Stark G, as it’s been getting a lot of praise, but don’t feel a strong need to right now.

I think the regular D & G are in the same ballpark as Spiro Weich (S42) in terms of thickness. But, in my opinion, they don’t feel or sound as thin and nasally. The G, in particular, is far more tame than the Weich.

 

[lurk]

Fwiw I've tried the Starks on both G and D and didn't like them. I found them stiffer and more Spiro like. I didn't like the way they felt under my hands. For a while I was using a Superflex solo G (A tuned down) with Perps and liked it a lot.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

For a while I was using a Superflex solo G (A tuned down) with Perps and liked it a lot.

I remember you saying you liked that combo. What are you using now?

 

[lurk]

I remember you saying you liked that combo. What are you using now?

Kolstein Heritage. I'm a little weird about strings, but I think and hope I will leave these on for a long time. It's taken a few months, the longest break in time ever for me.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

Kolstein Heritage. I'm a little weird about strings, but I think and hope I will leave these on for a long time. It's taken a few months, the longest break in time ever for me.

You have more patience than I. That’s one thing I really like about the Perpetuals though.

 

[bassically_eli]

You have more patience than I. That’s one thing I really like about the Perpetuals though.

The Heritage strings settle down and are good to play right away, but then they keep getting better for months to come.