Pirastro-Evah Pirazzi

[Marcus Johnson]

Okay, played the first gig last night, an unamplified duo. When compared to Obligatos, the Pirazzis feel much more substantial, slightly higher in tension. They feel quite a bit like Olivs to me. No roll at all. Nice strong fundamental when pizzed, and very even throughout their range. Just bigger overall sound than Oblis. The E may be slightly lacking at this point, but I need to give them a chance to get used to the bass and vice versa. Maybe play with the string height a bit.

I can't address the orchestral arco issue, but my early impressions of the jazz arco capabilities are very positive. Lovely, complex tone, and they respond very quickly on my bass. I actually found myself looking forward to bowing improvised solos, and going for ideas that I might have balked at on other strings. I'm looking forward to exploiting this aspect of these strings.

I think they're a winner. They aren't Olivs, but they're pretty close for a fraction of the price. We'll see how it pans out, I have lots of gigging and recording coming up.

[Charles Federle]

Pirastro sent me a set to test yesterday, put a set on last night. For my bass they are nice and dark, and a decent response once they got enough rosin on them. Also a very loud string with good punch, I do also like how well they reflect accents (both left and right hand). Compared to the Bel Cantos and Orig Flexs they are much thicker. Going to try them out in the real world here soon and hopefully they will be a string I am very happy with.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Charles Federle

Pirastro sent me a set to test yesterday, put a set on last night. For my bass they are nice and dark, and a decent response once they got enough rosin on them. Also a very loud string with good punch, I do also like how well they reflect accents (both left and right hand). Compared to the Bel Cantos and Orig Flexs they are much thicker. Going to try them out in the real world here soon and hopefully they will be a string I am very happy with.

This is a Bowing String mainly?

[Charles Federle]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

This is a Bowing String mainly?

For me they are, though it seems to be fairly popular with those using gut as well (for pizz). I keep meaning to try them out and see how they are pizzwise, but I keep getting distracted. Granted I am most likely not the best person to judge a string's pizz qualities.

[Ken Smith]

I emailed Pirastro about these Strings as I have in the past tested and judged many of their sets over the last few years. This is the description attachment he emailed me back. I will also post results after testing the orchestra qualities with the Ext E/C string which is on the way to me.

From Pirastro:
Evah Pirazzi Double Bass;

The tremendous success of our Obligato strings for double bass has encouraged us to further develop double bass strings with a synthetic core.
The result is our new double bass string set Evah Pirazzi „BASS“. This set is a hybrid set, suitable for both Arco and Pizzicato playing. Evah Pirazzi strings offer outstanding tuning stability, a very short playing-in-time and an astonishing resistance to rolling. Similar to the Obligato bass strings, Evah Pirazzi ’BASS’ Strings are resistant to changes in humidity and temperature. All strings are wound with chrome steel and smoothly polished.
The big, powerful, warm and round sound of the strings is combined with an accentuated low frequency spectrum and an exceptional resonance with a good sustain. The response is quick allowing for easy left and right hand articulation. Due to the phenomenal projection of the Evah Pirazzi bass strings the beautiful richness of the range of colors and nuances can be heard even in big concert halls. The development of these bass strings was aimed at producing a sound that is as close to gut strings as possible.
Evah Pirazzi ’BASS’ is an ideal string for musicians playing both Arco and Pizzicato. First and foremost the bow response is excellent and when playing pizzicato the long sustain fully and freely evolves.
Pirastro’s color code:
Evah Pirazzi “Bass” colour code at the tailpiece end: black spiral on light green
Tone colour at the peg end: G – brown; D – red; A – black; E – green; H5 – yellow; E 2.10m - green

There it is straight from Germany. Each player and each Bass must be tested for the optimum string match. I use more than one String type for various Basses or musical needs. If you play one Bass and one style you may be able to use only one String type but everyone gets the 'itch' from time to time to taste 'other fruits'!

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

http://www.pirastro.com/homeset.html

scroll down for DB

I've settled on Mittels on the bottom and Obligatos on top. These do look interesting though.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Greg Clinkingbeard

http://www.pirastro.com/homeset.html

scroll down for DB

I've settled on Mittels on the bottom and Obligatos on top. These do look interesting though.

Yes, I know it's from the website but it came to me from the guy that is in charge there so it's the final word.

He also added this comment in his email; These strings are perfectly balanced for both styles - pizz and arco. Dark and powerful sound in a way like modern gut strings but with more punch.