• 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 Why do my new Evah Pirazzi Slap suck?

#63
Has anyone tried the Evah Pirazzi Slap (Gold) synthetic D&G over Spiro Weich E&A? A friend of mine has it on his bass, which I played a week or so ago and I can’t stop thinking about it. I use Perpetual Stark D&G over Spiro 3/4 (3885) Weich E&A on my La Scala Hybrid, but the Spiros are almost dead after only a year…not sure what’s up with them dying so quickly other than possibly needing a soundpost adjustment. I loved that setup, but wondering if I should try 4/4 Weichs or the aforementioned mixed set really soon.
 
#64
I slowly put mine on (coming off of med zyex G, spirocore weich d and a, and a mitt E). It worked well with the G and D synth slaps and the spirocore E and A, but I wound up with the whole set of slaps on my bass. The lower strings I find take some time before they sound right, but I still find intonation a bit more difficult.
 
#65
Recently switched from Presto/Eurosonic Ultralights to EP Slaps E/A + weed-whacker D/G (.105"/.80"), got a very nice woody gut-like sound (I'd say Willie Dixon like), both for pizzicato and slapping. Much softer and easier to play as well.

However I found that in a loud band context (drums + guitars), the bass really gets lost in the mix (specifically E and A) - though the slap click is nice and full. Another thing is that when my right hand warms up after a few songs, I find myself putting more force into the strings to continue on to the next note as the strings do not bounce back to zero as fast steel core strings.

Fiddled quite a bit with volume, eq, even compressor during the last rehearsal with EP Slaps, but could not really get it to where I like it in the band mix. On its own though (or maybe for quieter stuff), just great, it's the smoothest vintage tone.

So now back to Presto Ultralights, much more metallic sounding (which I don't like) but cuts through just right. Considering Innovation Slaps or EP Solo to try next as a middle ground.
 
#66
Alib8 said:
Recently switched from Presto/Eurosonic Ultralights to EP Slaps E/A + weed-whacker D/G (.105"/.80"), got a very nice woody gut-like sound (I'd say Willie Dixon like), both for pizzicato and slapping. Much softer and easier to play as well.

However I found that in a loud band context (drums + guitars), the bass really gets lost in the mix (specifically E and A) - though the slap click is nice and full. Another thing is that when my right hand warms up after a few songs, I find myself putting more force into the strings to continue on to the next note as the strings do not bounce back to zero as fast steel core strings.

Fiddled quite a bit with volume, eq, even compressor during the last rehearsal with EP Slaps, but could not really get it to where I like it in the band mix. On its own though (or maybe for quieter stuff), just great, it's the smoothest vintage tone.

So now back to Presto Ultralights, much more metallic sounding (which I don't like) but cuts through just right. Considering Innovation Slaps or EP Solo to try next as a middle ground.
Click to expand...
Do you have a preamp? I had no problem hanging with a loud drummer and a loud Gretsch-wielding, Fender Twin-Reverb-playing guitarist with my slaps. I’m running a Vic’s Model C into a K&K rockabilly preamp through an AI Clarus two channel head into an AI DoubleShot. I haven’t used compression since the 90s. You shouldn’t need compression for anything now with where pickups and amplification are now with upright bass.
 
#67
Keith Rawlings said:
Do you have a preamp? I had no problem hanging with a loud drummer and a loud Gretsch-wielding, Fender Twin-Reverb-playing guitarist with my slaps. I’m running a Vic’s Model C into a K&K rockabilly preamp through an AI Clarus two channel head into an AI DoubleShot. I haven’t used compression since the 90s. You shouldn’t need compression for anything now with where pickups and amplification are now with upright bass.
Click to expand...

I do use a preamp, and slaps actually come through ok, it was pizz/plucking sound that I was having trouble with - and too low pizz tension for right hand (for slapping tension is great). It is possible my action is too low for EP Slap, around 8-10mm G to E.

Compression - I'm not sure on that either, just tried throwing it in to see if it will "tighten" the sound, guess not.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Keith Rawlings
#68
Alib8 said:
I do use a preamp, and slaps actually come through ok, it was pizz/plucking sound that I was having trouble with - and too low pizz tension for right hand (for slapping tension is great). It is possible my action is too low for EP Slap, around 8-10mm G to E.

Compression - I'm not sure on that either, just tried throwing it in to see if it will "tighten" the sound, guess not.
Click to expand...
Every bass is different it seems. I loved how they sound pizz — very natural and similar to wrapped gut on the E and A. The tension was always to my liking, but I’ve played almost exclusively low tension strings playing mostly rockabilly and old country music over the years.

I hear you on trying anything to make a good live sound. Back in the day I had a compressor and a BBE Sonic Maximizer in the rack mount with my SVT II and was running an Underwood Pickup and it sounded nice and loud; but it just wasn’t woody enough for me. I’d run a Shure 57 to the board or powered mixer (depending on if the club had a sound guy or not) and that picked up more of the nuances of the fingerboard and slap tone. That rig fedback like crazy in certain rooms though. I’m so thankful that technology has advanced so much when it comes to upright bass amplification. It beats the hell out of lugging an Ampeg 810 and a rack mounted SVT II head around.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Sam Reese

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back