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Double Bass Pirastro Pizzicato
- Thread starter dblbss
- Start date
they are nice but I had some come unwrapped pretty easy, easier than olivs which says alot. nice but weren't that reliable when I had them, maybe they have improved, I also had the metal wrapped ones not the nylon like the old golden spirals
I used them a while back. They had a nice, dark growl to them (very growly, but in a gut strings way). If they didn't cost my rent I'd probably use them again on my Kay.
I use the nylon-wrapped G and D. They're great--like Golden Spirals, and there are no unwrapping issues as there are with the metal-wound ones.
I think Upton has them. I got mine directly from Pirastro; they're very helpful if you're having trouble locating strings.
I think Upton has them. I got mine directly from Pirastro; they're very helpful if you're having trouble locating strings.
I love the darn things! I've put away all but one of my Gamuts and I currently have Pizzicatos for my E, A and D (all silver wound) and Gamut plain gut G. The only problem I've ever had in the past with Pizzicatos was with an A string breaking (and this happened twice) I've never had any come unwound. For me, they have a true gut sound and feel, as opposed to Anima and Garbo, and they are brighter and livelier than Eudoxa or Olive, their wrap is a little less flatwound, but not roundwound either. Unlike a traditional roundwound E&A/plain D&G set, they produce well-defined notes throughout the whole range and I can use them for everything from jazz to bluegrass. However, they are poor as an arco string, and I imagine that they could be a little too "jazzy" for hardcore bluegrassers or slappers.
I know that Quinn Violins isn't currently carrying them, but several other retailers have them. They are expensive! Southwest Strings had them on clearance and I bought a bunch of them recently. I hope that Pirastro keeps making them and manages to improve the quality control issues.
BTW, for those of you who've had problems with the silver-wound Pizzicatos, which strings came unwound or separated and where on the string?
I know that Quinn Violins isn't currently carrying them, but several other retailers have them. They are expensive! Southwest Strings had them on clearance and I bought a bunch of them recently. I hope that Pirastro keeps making them and manages to improve the quality control issues.
BTW, for those of you who've had problems with the silver-wound Pizzicatos, which strings came unwound or separated and where on the string?
You can bow on them, about like Anima. They have a bowed gut kind of sound, but maybe a little more "hollow" with the bow. OK for practice or a little jazz-solo stuff. Definitely not for orchestral work.
If you can get a set at a good price, I'd give them a try. I really like these strings. I now also have the nylon-wrapped G with my set. They've been on for a few months now and I haven't had any problems with windings, etc.
Only the G and D are available in the nylon wrapped. Those are a lot like Golden Spirals, that is -- much like a plain gut string except a little brighter, and the nylon adds a little tension and protects them from moisture, etc. The metal wrap is going to give you more sustain and brightness. The Pizzicato metal-wrapped G can get a little of the "mwah" sound going and you may or may not want that. I'm using the nylon G because I like the guttier sound on the G. I use the metal D for two reasons -- I like that the pitch stays clear and not too thuddy as you go up the neck, and also the Pizzicato nylon-wrapped D is very thick in diameter and may require some bridge slot widening/lowering.
That low price was a typo on the dealers webpage..darn! 
Anyway, any thoughts on how that plastic version G behave under the bow? Want something in the place of a obligato G - too thin-sounding for my taste. Or an Olive G maybe? Or getting a set of Animas.. Almost wish I was broke..no money no problems...
Anyway, any thoughts on how that plastic version G behave under the bow? Want something in the place of a obligato G - too thin-sounding for my taste. Or an Olive G maybe? Or getting a set of Animas.. Almost wish I was broke..no money no problems...
I've had Olives last a long time with no problems. Try to avoid taking it off and back on a whole lot and keep the bridge and nut slots lubricated with graphite.
I now have the silver wound G on my bass as well so it's a full set of silver wound Pizzicatos. Previously I had a plain gut G and then the Pizzicato nylon wound G. Amplified, there was a noticable difference in tone with those, generally more boomy, and the silver wound is working better. It still sounds plenty "gutty" too. I continue to really like these strings! I haven't had any problems with them this time around either.
), so I hope it will last..
