Pirastro-Evah Pirazzi

[Ken Smith]

So, what are these Evah Weichs really like as a Hybrid String? For me, Hybrid means I can play full Orchestra or full Jazz with the same set of strings on the same Bass. Add to that using the same set-up as well including string height being the same either way. One exception might be using a Pickup & Amp for Jazz.

Well, I put them first on my Big English Bass (aka Gamba Supreme or 'Big Ben' as it's known to a few, lol) and did just one Orchestra rehearsal with it. This was not the fault of the String. The Neck was too thick and the Heel to high, post-restoration. The Bass was slated for a C-Ext. anyway so I removed the Strings to try on another Bass because the Weichs don't have an E/C currently.

I put them next on my Mougenot which has quite a bit of Camber in the Neck and Fingerboard which will get corrected once it goes into restoration in the future. Why did I put them on a bass that needs work done? Well, one of my Gigs is a Show with a small B'way type Orchestra (25-30 pcs?), no Amp and we have about 10-12 services to perform. I needed a fairly big Bass to cut thru and this one fits the bill. The other reason is that the Weichs have lower tension and with the Camber of this Neck/Fingerboard being way more than 'my' personal norm, the string itself makes it possible to use the Bass. I also had a Combo Gig with Amp to use this set-up on and it worked out just fine. I have a Symphony Gig this week but doing some Ellington & Gershwin. I have all the Jazz parts to play being principal but some of them are Orchestral. I am using an Amp on most of the Concert.

They Pizz great on this Bass with or without an Amp and Jazz pizz or Orchestral pizz. They also Bow fine as well with or without the Amp as it's called for in the venue.

The Mougenot being in some state of disrepair as well as having Neck issues actually works quite well with these Evah Weichs despite its condition.

These Strings actually made me like the Bass better which before I would not even take it out. Now I feel that the Bass could easily be my Hybrid Instrument down the road as it sure has proven itself these past few weeks and gave me confidence to use it for all of this months work.

The Evah Weichs in my book are a great string. I think I like them better then the regular Evah's. The only way to really know is to try them both on the same exact bass. Calvin?

[Calvin Marks]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

The Evah Weichs in my book are a great string. I think I like them better then the regular Evah's. The only way to really know is to try them both on the same exact bass. Calvin?

Ken, do you know the gauge for Evah Weichs?


Thanks
-Calvin

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Calvin Marks

Ken, do you know the gauge for Evah Weichs?

Thanks
-Calvin

You said you had a set there, no? Measure them. That's what I will have to do so just get a caliper and measure them. Simple enough.

The gauge is 'nice'. They feel fine under the fingers so I've had no need to mic them.

If there is a problem of something seems off then maybe I would check the gauges but.. what am I looking for? What good will that do? Only if I felt there was a problem would I bother to measure them. Currently they are on a bass that has gone into repair so I can't get to them to mic them.

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

The Evah Weichs in my book are a great string. I think I like them better then the regular Evah's. The only way to really know is to try them both on the same exact bass.

Ken, I had the Regular, and then the Weichs Evahs on my bass in succession. I really liked the Regulars a lot... but the Weichs have just been better for my purposes in every respect. They have more sustain on my bass, and the sound just seems more open. They feel just great... the regulars used to tire me out a bit on long days of playing, but I can go 24-7 on the Weichs. I feel that they are my "default" string now... I really can't ask for anything more, especially at the price.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Ken, I had the Regular, and then the Weichs Evahs on my bass in succession. I really liked the Regulars a lot... but the Weichs have just been better for my purposes in every respect. They have more sustain on my bass, and the sound just seems more open. They feel just great... the regulars used to tire me out a bit on long days of playing, but I can go 24-7 on the Weichs. I feel that they are my "default" string now... I really can't ask for anything more, especially at the price.

In my opinion, the difference is mainly the tension. I think the Bass is effected the most which in return effects the player. Each bass has it's own 'sweet spot' and that's why we string them differently. Brand, gauge, material, etc. The Bass is happy when it's happy. No one string is best for all basses or all players.

I love the soft feel of the regular Evah's on my big Gamba as much as I did the Weichs. The regular Evah's felt heavier on my Gilkes (Jilkes), the exact same set. Now that they are on the Big Gamba, I can't see much difference either way from the Weichs that were on there before the Extension was made. The Top is very strong and the bass very responsive. At the time, the bass did not have an extension so I put the Weichs on. Now they make a Weich E/C but I already have the regulars on so that's how it will stay for now.

Maybe now that the bass has been played a bit and the Weichs have an E/C, next time I buy strings for it I will try the Weichs again. That's if I still have the bass. It was the 'hot one' at the ISB.

[Srikanth Narayanan]

Do people here still have the love affair with Evah Pirazzi regulars going? Or is this string is sooo 2009?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Srikanth Narayanan

Do people here still have the love affair with Evah Pirazzi regulars going? Or is this string is sooo 2009?

The string is still good and I still buy them as I need. It really depends on the player, Orchestra, Jazz, etc. and what they like on their bass. Not all basses work as well with the same strings.

I have Evah regulars on my Sirleto now and they sound great so when I sell that bass, the strings might stay or go depending on the player and what he needs.

Most new strings make a big splash at first and then they go back to where they work best. Many people go back to the strings they liked on their bass before unless they were not happy to begin with and might need a change.

They are good strings and based on what you have heard or read, they are worth a try if you think they meet your requirements.

[Eduardo Barbosa]

Guys, quick question for those who have tried soft and regular gauge.

Is the difference in gauge, Feel, thickness, really noticeable between both gauges?

I ask because I think my bass likes lighter gauges strings. It responds more openly, but I am wondering if it's worth the investment.
I have tried many strings, I do like these strings a lot. So I am not looking for any other brand, etc. I guess, the question is will my bass like them even more?

thank you.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Eduardo Barbosa

Guys, quick question for those who have tried soft and regular gauge.

Is the difference in gauge, Feel, thickness, really noticeable between both gauges?

I ask because I think my bass likes lighter gauges strings. It responds more openly, but I am wondering if it's worth the investment.
I have tried many strings, I do like these strings a lot. So I am not looking for any other brand, etc. I guess, the question is will my bass like them even more?

thank you.

The Weich gauge is lighter/less tension than the regular gauge. For pizz, you have to play them lighter or put them on a bass that the regulars feel too tight on.