I’ve played on Spirocore weichs for a long time, mainly jazz and pizz, but I’m hearing good things about the Perpetual Starks. Has anyone here gone from Spirocore weichs to the Perpetual Starks? If so can you describe the differences and whether you like one more than the other?
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Double Bass Spirocore Weich vs Perpetual Starks
- Thread starter peskatore
- Start date
In my experience they feel very similar under the hand, with the Perpetual Starks a bit friendlier to bow than the Spirocore Weichs. I was lucky to get to try the Stark G & D when they were still in prototype and they were described to me by a Pirastro rep off the record as an attempt to make a Spirocore that didn’t need such a long break-in period, and, yeah, I think that’s a pretty decent description.
But, why not both? Perpetual Stark G & D with a Spiro Weich A & E is a great combo—it’s the set I use on my little bass when it’s not wearing guts. Distinctly modern jazz sounding (to my ears) but plenty capable of hanging in an orchestra section in a pinch.
But, why not both? Perpetual Stark G & D with a Spiro Weich A & E is a great combo—it’s the set I use on my little bass when it’s not wearing guts. Distinctly modern jazz sounding (to my ears) but plenty capable of hanging in an orchestra section in a pinch.
Sounds good. Does playing across the strings from Weichs to the Perpetuals feel natural? Any feel difference?
If you took a black Sharpie to the silks and told me they were all from the same set I’d probably believe you.
Truthfully, I think this combo is better balanced than some actual production sets (e.g., Peter Infelds).
You’re selling me on the idea! But have you also played on a full Perpetual Stark set?
I use the full Perpetual stark set. Tension is between Spirocore weich and solos tuned down. My old German bass likes lighter tension, so I did a lot of experimenting in this range. I agree Perps are better to bow than weichs, minimal break-in, and they have more weight and presence, I think. Spiro solos at orchestra bowed even more easily, but didn’t provide as much power. I tried the standard (mittel) Perp and Spiro EA (weich and mittel). I prefer the full Perpetual stark set on my bass, but I would be very happy with the standard Perp or Spiro weich EA. I don’t get the reason to use Spiros, unless you have them and don’t want to buy a full set. Gollihur (no connection other than being a customer) will sell a full standard, stark, or stark GD/standard EA set of Perpetuals.
I have, and think they’d be a great choice across the board, too. The bass I mostly use for pizz-forward work just worked a little better with the bit more zing on the bottom that the Spirocores gave.
Zingier is exactly how I would describe the Perpetual mittel E and the Spiro weich. I actually thought I preferred that at first, but missed the thunder.
I had to play back in a corner and into a corner from 8’ away and in the bathroom, and all over the place to really settle. Anywhere in the range we are discussing is great, and would be perfectly satisfying to me if I didn’t have the ability to completely nerd out and over-analyze!!!
I had to play back in a corner and into a corner from 8’ away and in the bathroom, and all over the place to really settle. Anywhere in the range we are discussing is great, and would be perfectly satisfying to me if I didn’t have the ability to completely nerd out and over-analyze!!!
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I also did this combo (Spiro Weich E & A with Perpetual D & G) for a while, though it was with regular Perpetuals and not the Starks. I personally think it sounded great. The Spiros blended perfectly with the Perps. All other bassists who heard me perform couldn’t tell that I was using a mixed set.
haha -- I love my Spirocores now that they have broken in for 6 months ..... this has me interested.
Oh, man. Wait until you hit two years; that’s when they start getting good.
I decided to revisit the Perpetual Stark D.
I play 5 string fifths with gut on top and Spiro on bottom. Whatever I put on the D string seems to set the timbre for the whole instrument, though. I’ve been back and forth between preferring Spiro D and Gamut Pistoy D (and every bass has different preferences), but this Perpetual Stark D has earned a permanent place on my Shen flatback willow 5’r. The transition from the tension of the spiros to the flex of the plain gut high strings is now seamless, even arco!
I play 5 string fifths with gut on top and Spiro on bottom. Whatever I put on the D string seems to set the timbre for the whole instrument, though. I’ve been back and forth between preferring Spiro D and Gamut Pistoy D (and every bass has different preferences), but this Perpetual Stark D has earned a permanent place on my Shen flatback willow 5’r. The transition from the tension of the spiros to the flex of the plain gut high strings is now seamless, even arco!
Perpetuals are going to be a little less bright and bow easier like others said. They also feel nice under the hands. Personally i still preferred Spiros at the end of the day as they have a certain presence i didn't get from the Perps.
Been a while but I remember thinking the Stark version of the perpetual d string gave solid Oliv d string vibes.
If you can work around the Stark E/A bloom into their abundant sustain, then they match pretty well.
This is my current setup for the last couple months. The stark perpetual EA replaced regular perpetual EA. They are a great match both pizz and arco on my bass. The starks have a bit more bloom paired with the gut DG.
I generally agree that this is good advice. I often tell my students and contemporaries the same thing. But for myself…I’ve never been able to make a full set of Spiro Weichs work on my bass. I’ve tried them several times. New sets. Used sets. 4/4, 3/4. Different setups (string heights, soundpost placements, etc). But they're just not for me.
The Spiro sets that have sounded the best on my bass are regular old S42 Mittels and detuned 4/4 Solos. The S42 Weich E & A with Perpetual regular D & G worked great as well. But at the end of the day, while a full set of Weichs may work for most people, I know from experience they’re not for everyone.
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