Is This the Greatest Bass String EVER?

#bassstrings #pirastro #oliv #giveaway #paulthompson
The #SummerOfGear continues with an examination of one of the great bass strings I'm just now checking out on my bass: the Pirastro Oliv G (cue angelic choir). The Oliv G string has been long adored by Jazz heavyweights like Patitucci, Reid, and Grenadier. I pair it with Thomastik Spirocore bottoms for some low-end goodness. How do they sound? How do they feel? Will they last?
Also, be sure not to miss this channel's AMAZING GIVEAWAY to celebrate 5000 subscribers! Make sure you check out the entire video for a chance to win a brand new Pirastro Oliv G, shipped right to your door! Drawing is THURSDAY, AUGUST 19TH, 2021. Good luck and thanks for watching!!
00:00 Intro
01:41 Weich G vs. Oliv G Comparison
04:13 The GOOD
06:34 The BAD
12:14 Update/Giveaway
Website: www.paulthompson.us
Instagram @pauldavid74

[@jazzbrew68]

I swear this video is about the strings but man... your PLAYING. So full of soul, swing and pure joy. I come back to this one frequently.

[@NicHasegawa]

I know it’s a video about strings and all….but strings aside, your technique sounds so damn good 👏👏👏

[@jazzbrew68]

Totally agree on this one. I spent more time going wooooooo during the comparisons. So good.

[@Dc_94]

You really can hear the diference and the clarity with the Pirastro!! Keep the good work and the amazing videos coming!

[@conormurray-bassist9847]

Congrats Pdbass! Awesome to watch the channel grow this last year! Pirastro are awesome! I play on some Chordas and any issues i've ever had there team has been amazingly helpful!

[@georgebalmont6311]

Great video! Really good to hear such a direct comparison of the strings

[@merrill-el-richmond8649]

Congrats on the 5K viewers! Well deserved, Paul.

[@marshallpeterson6565]

Great video, always like to hear new and different demos of upright strings!

[@MrBassflute]

Awesome as always!

[@mule71]

Congrats on reaching the 5k milestone. Well deserved! 👏👍

[@pietroeliabarcellona]

Stellar playing! Great to hearing your heart out after watching so many vids

[@mr.larrett5197]

I had gut strings on my bass in my University days... got a great deal and loved the sound. I sure do miss them! I'm really enjoying your thoughtful content sir.

[@PabloFlores-qs5mq]

Sounds great, I’ve been a fan for a couple of months now and I really enjoy your content.

[@vondoktor]

Great video, as usual! Man, you give me the urge to work on my blues! Such an inspiration! Thanks for the amazing work!

[@MrDanilop45]

❤️ great analysis of the string. Keep doing this.

[@ScottRanger]

Thanks for the great videos!

[@jhoffmann3015]

You sound great as always Paul. I prefer how you sound on the Weich G. I love Pirastro strings (on my bass I use the Obligato) but what you played on the Weich just got me in the feels.

[@mikebassy]

Thing is I think you are sounding great , it’s you doing it. You are improving every month and it’s inspiring

[@6strbassplayer]

What a great comparison video! Keep on keepin on! P.s...you really can walk it! Love your playing my man!

[@PCKPockyi]

Great review Maestro! Only a bass player and a teacher of your caliber can do it that way. Bravo!

[@aristamanu]

Cheers from southern Argentina, and congrats on the 5k milestone!

[@georgerichardson7560]

Great video!! Very informative and inspiring! I've been wanting to put gut strings on my bass for ages now, just so in love with that beautiful punch so present and in your face from players like Blanton and Pettiford!! But also both players as soloists still manage to make those gut strings sing, Blanton's solo playing on Body and Soul and Pettiford's on Stardust are magic. I'm definitely planning to try Oliv's very soon, I might even try plain gut one day maybe. I'm leaning towards wrapped gut as I'm guessing it might be a little more comfortable when playing arco but we'll see! Thanks fo the great content and playing. Congrats on the 5000 subscribers and big love from London UK! :)

[@ry_guy_]

Nice analysis!

[@alyoshaproductions]

Great review. Thanks for the info!

[@dexterjones4902]

Awesome string! Awesome content as always! :)

[@johnhelman1990]

thanks man...i admire your playing

[@vannave5761]

Both strings are greats to my ears. Nice comparison thanks !

[@bassocanario]

Great string review.... Your playing in this video is stank-nastily wonderful ! Love this channel, keep doing your thing!!!❤👍🏽

[@alexanderliljeberg7628]

Sounds great!!!

[@lucianoquezada22]

Awesome video! I’m playing pirastro perpetual strings currently and I’m a big fan of both arco and pizzicato sound. Congrats on 5k!

[@carloszagal1934]

big ups to the perpetuals, I am using them with an Olive G and I am so happy with this set

[@keithrawlings7741]

Great comparison video - the Oliv sounds glorious! I bought a used one once and it was unbelievably great sounding, but the windings were giving out at the nut. It was pretty well used though.

[@richardstaving3594]

Never tried the Olivs (or any Pirastro) but have heard all the fuss as well. Thanks for the A/B and your pros and cons!

[@cotehall9434]

Sounds really great!! I feel that the combination of Spiros Weich and Pirastro Oliv really lands itself on your bass! makes me wanna try it someday. I'm currently putting Gerold Genssler "Gut-like" strings made of silk on all 4. Used to play Spiros Weich set and they sang very well, and blightly, but when I changed them to GG strings, I felt the body of my german bass resonating literally 50％ more. It's all about affinity of the bass for the strings...

[@zubrycky]

These Oliv G strings have a really lovely sound!

[@grahamkozak2315]

sounds great! always wanted to try the oliv g on my bass to see how/if it resonated differently

[@craigs19721972]

Be great to try this string!! Greetings from New Zealand!

[@monz7951]

Sounds beautiful. I've been thinking about trying a naked gut G and looking for one of those Golden Spiral Charlie Haden used to play. Anyways love how you play the blues, pure fire!

[@50CJAZZ]

Sounds great.

[@gabrielpreusse8421]

Looking forward 👌🏽

[@BankruptBassplayer]

Already subscribed.. you are a really great you tube content provider! i Play professionally for over 40 years, and can honestly say you are giving the truth, i especially liked your Leon Sylvers video.. congratulations on your subscribers.!

[@johnloehrke1161]

This vid pretty much sums up my experience. I bought a used one, loved it, and you summed up perfectly why. It came unwound in a few weeks. I'm now about 6 months into one I bought new. So far, so good. I'm not an endorser, so if I can't get a year out of it, no dice. I'm itching to try a D if this G makes it for a year.

[@DaveVergato]

Great to hear your opinion on this string. I’ve been interested in trying one myself! Maybe I’ll get lucky and win the drawing haha!

[@spank2424]

Sounds good P love it... I could never get into upright bass I’m a straight electric bass player my fingers always felt funny playing one... I guess I never was patient enough to give it a chance but u make it look easy 👍🏾!

[@davidhadley370]

You caused me to finally give the Oliv G a try. I decided to put it on my 1940 Juzek... And I'm sold... The string really IS that good. I've been on the wall for a few years, but your video was spot on... It's only been a day, but the tone... It's altered my thinking. An Oliv D or even a full set may be next...

[@SaltyMusicOne]

cool video- it also makes me think that a vid on those double triplet drops would be really great :)

[@pablomillas]

Loving my neighbor and your videos. Thank you PD

[@benjaminlavoie-doyon4002]

I’ve had a E A spiro and D G evah pirazzi combination for the last two years, similar experience, the two types of string realy complement each other, plus the evahs are way cheaper.

[@luccas_bracco]

Your channel is awesome. I'm sure you get far beyond 5000 subs.

[@lownessfunk4932]

Great video and great string. I used this string for many years. I did however go to plain gut G string at some point and since then have not gone back. Bowing takes a bit of getting used to bit worth it for that tone..

[@Markperna1]

Sounds great! I like the gut-like “thup” attack. I tried one a bunch of years ago but didn’t stick with it. I ended up using a Gamut Pistoy medium gut G with Spiro D,Aand E and have never looked back. I don’t do much arco though and while the gut complements the Spiros beautifully pizz, not so much arco. It lasts longer than the Spiros though which is saying something.

[@albertotravagli]

You're truly wonderful!

[@ianaldridge227]

great vid. ive been super impressed with a spiro weich EAD and a medium zyex G for a beefier G string. just wish the G was like 0.002" thicker

[@mark-stefaniw]

WRT unraveling you want to make sure bridge and nut grooves are right sized and pencil lined generously so that the winding moves with the core. My Olive G is in great shape after 2 years of service. I'm primarily an orchestra player who also plays jazz and bluegrass.

[@Sprongles95]

For what it's worth, and this is on a very, very old set of Weichs (w/ an equally old mittel E) on my hybrid bass, I strung the Weich G so that the ball end is facing out at the tailpiece, and it makes the whole set way more even feel wise and tonally.

[@TheRainmanBachelor]

Always awesome when a black bassist installs an Olive g string.

[@jlmoses16]

Congrats on the impending landmark!

[@bassnut57]

I think that I prefer the Spirocore here. They sound a bit brighter. More articulate Nice growl.

[@robertcamp1606]

That is simply one gorgeous instrument!! Any possibility of some info & some closeups of it(front & back)??😮Thanks for that & for what U do here!!❤

[@I.O.M.]

Oliv G is golden but Spiro Weichs will never let you down. The issues you mentioned is why folks give up on it.

[@Zeesboy]

Thanks. Never heard of this string. I can't detect a superiority over the Spirocore G. I prefer Spirocore mediums

[@AlexHallbom]

I play a set of spiro weichs and I'd love to try out the Pirastro Oliv G.

[@tildeberriogarcia2634]

Yeahhh!

[@rickwilliams3412]

Great video. Hard to believe how much any of these strings cost!

[@mikebassy]

Just posted some videos of a jam session between me and a pianist called Robbie Taylor. This is a cassette tape from 1986 , it was probably February. Me and Rob used to go to see people like McCoy Tyner every month. I really wished he had become a full on jazz pianist because he had it then . I was 18 in this jam . Rob was a session keys guy with Chaz jankel and Imagination. He knew Norman Watt Roy a favourite bassist of mine from the Ian dury band. I want to get my message across to Rob that mate , your brilliant

[@dfybyn]

and longevity - I've been using the Eudoxas for 2 years - maybe the silver wrap makes them last better

[@FongJazz]

I haven't had any durability trouble with Olivs. I put on Oliv D & G in September 2016 and gigged a couple times a week (not much arco) into 2020. In June of 2021 I switched to Perpetuals as I got tired of the constant tuning up of the Olivs (interesting how they go sharp when the air is dry and flat in humidity). Then in Spring of 2023 I put the Oliv G back on 'cause I craved the beef. No unwinding yet after almost 7 years! Maybe I just got a good one!

[@dfybyn]

happy to compare an Oliv though :-)

[@seanriddle6408]

I tried a near death Oliv G on my Shen hybrid strung with Spiro mittens during lockdown and man did it make my bass sound deeper. I just got a new bass and it would be interesting to hear how it sounds with an Oliv G and Spiros.

[@MrBrainsquash]

Man, I would love to play that free string my bass, but I am a little late here. Recently bought Obligatos and not happy with that G string. Anyway, great video, keep going.

[@paulnicolosi4792]

I love gut strings. For 30's 40's 50's and 60's music, they are the 'only' way to go. My E string is gut as well. Thump city and deeper than the Mariana trench...

[@sebuteo]

Loved this. I’m already a subscriber. But here’s my comment, in a bid for the Oliv-G: I don’t play arco! Pizz’/finger-style only. Making me the perfect candidate for your very generous giveaway. 🤓

[@ibassnote]

Great string. I used a g and d for a few years. Unwound at key note positions. Lovely but I’ve come to the conclusion that you either go gut or go steel with the g and d. I don’t think there is a better all-around string than a Spirocore. Does so many things well.

[@willb3698]

Was about to ask “why no arco?” Now I know. Blast. I play A LOT of HARMONICS so thank you for telling me that it does not sing so well or at least in comparison. Beautiful stuff going on in that heArt of yours.

[@EmanueleValente]

Oliv strings are spectacular but sadly too expensive. Your video is very interesting even if I believe that Spirocore strings are not the winning combination with this type of string. The best "budget" combination IMHO is with Evah Pirazzi strings. Thanks for your videos are always very interesting.

[@badscrew4023]

I'm perfectly happy with Spirocore Weichs. These are ALREADY expensive enough so yeah, Oliv is not what I'll be ever buying :D

[@marcobojorquez9467]

Man, give the Perpetual Stark G. It has a great punchy tone and since it’s a steel string the playability is very close to Spiros but warm closer to Oliv territory. I’m pairing it with the .3885 Weichs. It’s butter.

[@OriginalTLab3000]

You could get a brand new bass guitar for the price of that string 😮 Can't believe I haven't subscribed earlier!

[@silphium5510]

Great comparison -- the playing ain't half bad either ;-). I'm one of those who's looked around for alternative to spiros. I'm using Perpetuals now, and liking them. The Oliv sounds great. But I wonder: is it a realistic, practical option?

[@peepsieD]

Oliv G a little dry vs the Spirocores to my ear. Eudoxa G or a plain gut G is a great option too. Or a Spirocore G one gauge up from whatever gauge your DAE are is also sometimes cool.

[@peepsieD]

Love your playing btw! On any strings!

[@mikebassy]

When will the recording with the olive G string come out ?

[@mikebassy]

We jam the chicken ha ha , the Jaco vhs tutor had come out Xmas 1985 and I bought it despite not having a video cassette deck . I used to just turn up at peoples houses and ask if I could watch the Jaco tape for a bit . Hilarious

[@gssong7111]

Dig this setup...once had the great Dave Carpenter play my bass with this set up on a willow shen, He loved it and sounded incredible! I had that string on there for at least 2 years! What do you think of the old spirocore/velvet anima G set up? I still have that string...

[@boobsax]

I’d give some real lettuce for a transcription with fingerings of that Frankie and Johnny… It’s brilliant

[@pdbass]

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 Copied from Ray Brown: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJKpl5yEp9aYa6M

[@boobsax]

Congrats and now as of February 2022 you are nearly up to 25K subscribers🥳🥳. I borrowed bass with gut A and D string years ago… Thinking of trying it again… Have you ever tried Gut? I do a lot of Bluegrass and jazz …I’m a little worried it will not work so well with jazz?

[@pdbass]

I have, but I just bow too much. Too inconsistent when you’re playing arco everyday IMHO

[@jamesrichardson3322]

​​​​​@@pdbassove the sound of your bass, with the new G string, it's beautiful. The bass beautiful, love the craving around the bass. This guy or woman who crafted upright double bass is extremely talented guy or woman. Does the Pirastro Bass Oliv strings come out of tune after long use on gigs daily?? You remind of John Clayton, what a badass bassist. I wouldn't spend $150 bucks for a new G string, but you would!! You are crazy, no offense!

[@dfybyn]

and my eudoxas d and g took nearly 3 weeks before the tuning settled

[@MrDanilop45]

What about the Ron Carter’s Labella strings? I cannot understand if they are great or not. A lot of people says that are great but unfortunately not useable with the bow. But there are very few tests on them

[@dfybyn]

try the Eudoxa - pretty sumilar but much nicer on the hands (shame about the price though

[@Gangster_Club3]

I'm a newbie, my question is if you always change the G string only? , the other three strings are not changed as often? I play only pizzicato, thank you

[@pdbass]

Many upright bassists mix-and-match different brands of strings. Some produce great bottom but maybe not-so-great top. Some people like to pick strings based on their instrument (i.e. bright strings for a dark bass, etc.). I prefer to change the set, but people often find that a lot of 'G' strings don't match the volume/resonance/balls of the rest of the set--especially the brand I use: Thomastik Spirocore. The Oliv G is really wonderful and has this amazing ability to blend in with the rest of the set. It's just too darn fragile for my tastes. Thank you for watching!

[@evancarley5359]

Oliv sounds great but spiros just strike such a balance for me it's hard to be compelled to switch.

[@johnclement7473]

Hay thank you for your you tube videos just what I need to see and hear from you. I play electric bass and would love to play upright bass can't afford one at this time but will in the future. But I just want you to know your show is awesome and I'm learning so much from you and I'm so glad that the bass was calling me to come and give it a try. Bass is a great instrument and I hope you do a show on electric bass strings and how to set up a bass for playing. Like the bridge the strings and how to tune your bass. And let us know what name brand upright bass you play and what's the most expensive upright bass you've seen and who are the best upright bass makers in business. Hay keep bassing man and thank you again.🎸

[@pdbass]

Thank you for watching, John! I will definitely follow up on some of your questions 🙏🏽

[@jamesrichardson3322]

@@pdbass what is your on opinion the D' Addario Helicore Orchestra Series Double Bass Strings Set 3/4 Size Medium. I am having my double upright bass repair, because the fingerboard and bridge fall off. This is the second time I am having my fingerboard repair. I am going to put D' Addario Helicore Strings Orchestra Double Bass Strings.

[@pdbass]

@@jamesrichardson3322 I'm not a huge fan of Helicore Orchestral, but I dig the Hybrids. The Orchestrals are VERY dark and thuddy for jazz--if that's your thing. The Hybrids have more ping and sustain.

[@jamesrichardson3322]

@@pdbass The Helicore Orchestra Strings aren't good for Jazz? Hybrids are good for Jazz and classical music & other types of music and bowing??

[@pdbass]

@@jamesrichardson3322 it depends on what you're looking for. IME, the orchestras had more "thump" than "bwah" for my tastes. There's a reason they're called "orchestral", but you'll have to try them out to form your own opinion. Don't base your opinions on KZbin COMMENTS. 😉

[@CarlosRibeiroJr]

me!!! i want it!! please

[@bustabass9025]

Spirocore Weichs make my $500 Chinese laminated starter bass sound like an old world master's hand carved creation, from 1930's Czechoslovakia!

[@fabiogutierrez8319]

Had my heart broken by the Oliv G twice...not going back for thirds.

[@bassmonk2920]

Spiro G just sounds better but sucks on the bowing so that would be my decision to switch....

[@paulfonseca1389]

Do you know what strings ron carter uses

[@pdbass]

www.labella.com/artists/ron-carter/

[@mendibasko]

I played a baroque gig with a sinthetic set and an oliv g up top and it lasted 3 days 😔

[@pdbass]

Alas. Write Pirastro. They were quick to send me a replacement!

[@jamesoconnell7443]

Hello PDBASS. I’m wondering about making a suggestion. I won’t unless you reply as I don’t want to waste your time. Thanks for all that you do. It’s easily the best education I’ve gotten on bass. Since everything and everyone’s already covered there’s not much more that I can say.

[@pdbass]

Always open to hear them, James!

[@parahycodan]

Hello PDBASS. I'm astounded by everything you've ever said no matter who or what you choose to cover. It's rare enough to say that i've not heard anything like it before. The content aside, the experience is preternatural-uniquely yours along with very fine craft. Absolute Dynamite. It's like a PBS special or if not that then it exceeds that. I haven't told anyone except my sister. So, there's these two songs that are pretty rare I think. They were written and performed by a folk singer who was once famous for his having known and played with Bob Dylan. Dave Van Ronk's his name and he decided to do something more along the lines of a Pop record. It's called "Dave Van Ronk and his Hudson Dusters". There are two songs on the LP I always loved but mostly for the Bass playing of a guy known as Gregory Williams. The songs are called "Keep off the Grass" and, "New Dreams". To hear the Bass, I have to be in my car for whatever reasons as it can be heard much much better. I expect nothing nor even so much as a listen but if you do and have something to say then that's cool. When I listen to this guy in these two songs is utterly amazing. Even to this day. Kindly, James

[@TokyoTraveller]

I prefer your original strings. The Oliv strings sounds a bit muddled to me....

[@dfybyn]

lastly - there is a guy on talk bass from Oz that has old new stock and is selling sets for $200 AUD - so cheap!!!!!!

[@markhospodar4433]

you are The (Jerome Bettis) Bus of the bass...

[@pdbass]

And you are the Tom Brady of neurologists!

[@daviddaniel3126]

1) I love your swing. 2) I have had the same issue with Sprirocore's G. 3) What does the rest of the Oliv set sound like on your bass? * Bonus question: I love the sound of the bass on the theme for the Monk TV show. I have been unable to find out who the bass player is, let alone his setup. Can you find out the strings used on that bass? * I just heard the whole Oliv set vs the Eudoxa. The Oliv EAD don't match the appeal of the G. The EAD don't speak nearly as well. (check it here kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJ-clX-BprmLl5Y)

[@pdbass]

Thank you! Unfortunately, I can't afford to buy more than one Oliv string at a time. They're $$$$! I'm also pretty happy with my Spiros, and "if ain't broke, don't fix it." I did some looking and I can't find out who the bass player is on "Jungle Out There" myself. I'll let you know if I come across it. Keep in mind, Jeff Beal is in LA and it's more than likely one of the LA session cats (I believe)! Thanks for watching.