PIRASTRO PERPETUAL Double Bass Strings Review (Plus: How do they compare to Spirocore? Hear both!)

Feel free to leave your comment about these strings - either from what you've heard in the video or from personal experience with the strings. Thanks!
0:10 Introduction
1:50 First sound examples Pirastro Perpetual
3:14 My impressions and comments about the Perpetuals
6:48 Sound comparison Perpetual vs. Spirocore Light
9:00 My comments about the comparison
10:10 Solo tune "When I Grow Too Old To Dream" played on Perpetual
13:23 Closing words
14:03 Perpetuals played over the Audio Technica AT4041 mic
Player: Hervé Jeanne
Bass: Rubner 1960
Microphone for bass: Audio Technica ATM35 (AT4041 at the very end)
Microphone for talking: Neumann TLM103
COMPARE THESE STRINGS TO MORE THAN 30 OTHER MODELS ON MY WEBSITE:
www.hervejeanne.de/en/string-m...
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THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

[@Carehuea]

Fantastic video once again Herve. Greatly appreciated...!

[@bccbass]

Thank you so much for this thorough and helpful explainer!! I really appreciate the care and time it took to do this!

[@ivansultanoff6719]

Fantastic demo, thanks

[@77Kaczoszka77]

Thank you Henvre, great work as so far I’m always inspired by your videos. Grear job. Waiting for next ones. 😉

[@bartoszazarski9746]

Thanks for this review Hervé! Great idea with comparing to Spiros :)

[@jagkluke]

An excellent video. Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to do this for us!

[@stringmatrix]

Thank you Jan!

[@christopherharrison4671]

you're the man. those strings sound great. That bass sounds amazing.

[@mingus543]

Great work! Thank you!

[@mingusdingus3310]

Hi Hervè, thanks for your review and the great solo at the end. Very inspiring. If I don't like the combination of Evah Pirazzi and Pirastro olive on my bass any more, I'll give the Perpetuals a try.

[@daveming1]

Thanks, very helpful! On your bass, I like the more earthy sound of the Perpetuals. Always bass dependent!

[@janisnellman]

Great comparison & brilliant playing!

[@stringmatrix]

Thank you Jani!

[@manuelmarches]

Merci . Très instructif , tout particulièrement ce format de comparaison croisée avec une marque connue de tous! Et très bon solo aussi , bravo!

[@stringmatrix]

Merci beaucoup !

[@davidchamberlain8910]

Excellent video thanks!

[@ivofechner8039]

Deine Videos sind so super weil man dabei nicht nur Infos über Saiten bekommt, aber auch noch weltklasse bass playing hört, ein Genuss!

[@stringmatrix]

Vielen herzlichen Dank für dein nettes Kompliment!!

[@wolfganglonien2093]

Now that was by far the best string comparison I've heard so far, thank you very much. The Pirastro sound wonderful, but so do the Spiros which I also use. The question is longevity I think - Spiros last for a very long time, can't say that yet about the Perpetuals...

[@williammannerland1063]

You are a great player, which shows that you know what you are talking about. Your reviews are the best.

[@stringmatrix]

Thank you so much William!

[@BassWhispererTV]

I’m a big fan of your work! And now that I’m getting another base and considering Strings… I’m glued to your channel. Thanks for trying them all so we don’t have to.

[@stringmatrix]

Thank you for your feedback, good luck!

[@mykolfornasero3631]

thank you for all your videos. They are a huge help in making choices on which strings to buy. It would have been nice to hear these Arco. Cheers, MF

[@tallerdepercusionbrasilena7047]

I want to thank you for all the effort you make in each video ,, you show a lot of affection and respect towards the public and also towards your instrument ,, I also wanted to ask you if I could buy you some transcriptions of jazz solos if you have any, thank you.

[@stringmatrix]

Hello, and thank you so much for your message. I have a couple of transcriptions but they are mostly written by hand. I have a bunch of NHØP solo transcriptions. Send me an e-mail to [e-mail] if you are interested. Cheers!

[@victorcitoborge3900]

Thank you for fantastic videos! You are a fantastic db player to👌

[@stringmatrix]

Thank you very much!

[@maxim_hue6089]

Just discovered your channel. great bass channel!

[@stringmatrix]

Thank you very much!

[@MrBassflute]

Great sound, great playing, amazing sounding bass.

[@jerman4strings]

Vielen Dank, Hervé! Wieder ein klasse Video - und super gespielt! Ich habe unlängst "Perpetual" auf den Baß aufgezogen, auf dem ich sehr lange Zeit immer wieder D´Addario "Hybrid" Medium gespielt habe - bin jedoch nach einiger Zeit wieder zu den D´Addarios zurückgekehrt. Es gab nach meinem Empfinden kleine Unterschiede im Klang und Ansprache, wie z. B.: die PP. sind etwas dünner (woran ich mich gewöhnen müßte), haben etwas weniger "gefühlte Zugstärke" (was ich eigentlich gut finde), sprechen arco etwas besser an, klingen pizz jedoch nicht so rund und scheinen etwas leiser zu sein. Nur meine subjektive Meinung und alle Bässe sind unterschiedlich, was soll man sagen... Auf Deinem Bass klingen die PP. echt gut ;-)

[@johanneskeller4730]

Super Video - wäre spannend zu hören wie die Saiten eingespielt klingen.. Danke Hervé!

[@stringmatrix]

Danke Johannes! Die Perpetuals waren schon 2-3 Monate auf dem Bass vor dem Videodreh. Ich habe zwar nicht intensiv drauf gespielt, aber ich denke schon dass der Sound als "eingespielt" gilt. Die Spiros waren zuvor ca. 9 Monate auf dem Bass. Die Klingen sehr "frisch" und höhenreich, das ist ja immer so wenn man die neu aufspannt.

[@johanneskeller4730]

Stringmatrix ah ok spannend die klangen immer noch so „frisch“. Bin vermutlich gar keinen reinen Stahlsaitensound mehr gewöhnt 😅 liebe Grüße

[@NowOnBass]

Nicely done

[@aryaboustani6359]

Hi Harvé. Thanks for your fabulous string reviews. I'm quite new to double bass but I love the tone when I hear it in the recordings. I played guitar and even a bit of electric bass too. I don't have any trouble moving my hand around and even playing chords with electric bass. I I recently bought a double bass (solid top and plywood for the rest) that doesn't have a name tag. The person I bought it from said it is a middle of the road kind of bass. Sounded better than a couple other options in the string shop based on the comment from the luthier. I feel I'm having a bit of rough road for tone clarity (A and E sound kind of dull), string response and sustain (I know to some extent it is my lack of technique), and tension (hard on my left hand). Luthier inspected it and said there is nothing really wrong with the setup. They said it can benefit from a bit lowering of the bridge for the high side and a tiny bit of dressing the finger board. Still I don't know what could be wrong. Could it be the strings? They have Spirocore Solo with GDAE tuning. I imagine lowering the pitch can perhaps contribute to make it dull sounding or reducing sustain. Do you have any video demonstrating lowering the pitch and comparing the differences? Also I have to wait till Covid is over before I can have real lessons for finger positions and other playing techniques but till then if I find it's hard to do the transition from electric guitar and electric bass to upright bass especially on this bass (assuming there are things inherent to the design and material that it is not very resonating with strings) is there any string set you suggest that I can get good tone and sustain even with my beginner's fingers? Something that also if it can be easier on the left hand tension wise? I imagine there is a proportion of tension to tone but I thought if there is a design out there to offer a great sustain and very expressive and loud tone but with less tension. If so, what do you suggest? Thanks a lot.

[@stringmatrix]

Hi! I think you should have an experienced player take a look at your bass. That's difficult in Covid times of course. But it is not really possible to give you some good advice without having the bass in my hands. I would suggest to start off with standard strings like Spiro Light oder Evah Pirazzi Light. Perpetual would be a good choice too. But all these will be more difficult on the right hand than the solo strings. You have to built up the muscles anyway. For every player at the beginning it was hard! Good idea with a video about solo strings, I'll think about it. You can try what happens if you tune yours a half or whole step up, to see ich the dullness gets better. Good luck and thanks for watching my videos!

[@aryaboustani6359]

@@stringmatrix Hi Harvé. Did you mean they will be more difficult on my left hand (one on the neck)? I know it is part of the learning to develop the muscles but I also like to see if there is any set of strings that have higher ratio of volume vs. tension, i.e. if I get a very light tension and easy on the left hand with a decent tone and volume. I was doing some google search and came across La Bella 7710N black nylon tape wound strings (apparently offers warm gut tone without metallic tone quality of the steel string but with the sustain of the steel string): kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXO7ZZ53bd2qepo Apparently they are very left hand user friendly. Of course I will not develop my left hand muscles as much but it will be a nice treat during the Covid till I can start my lessons in a serious manner after the Covid is over. What do you think about those strings? Also a lot of times I come across Savarez Corelli 370M or 370F www.savarez.com/corelli-tension-medium-370m and I thought I check with you if you can comment on their playability. I read somewhere that they are very thin. Does thin means lower tension? Apparently people don't like very thin strings. Is it because it jabs into the skin too much (i.e. wider string assuming having the same tension spreads the force into bigger area on the left hand finger?).

[@MarkRoman386]

great playing, Hervé - thank you for contributing so whole-heartedly to the bass community! As someone playing a mixed set (Efrano G & D + Innovation braided nylon A & E) I was surprised at how much I liked the sound of these strings. I'm beginning to look around for some other 'old school' sounding alternatives (to D'addario Zyex) for my removable neck bass that will hold up to wear & tear better than gut strings... looking into synthetics such as Gut-a-Like & co. as well, but this is an interesting option - albeit something completely different, in terms of the higher tension steel rope core. Are they much higher tension than Innovation's braided strings?

[@stringmatrix]

Thanks! I can't answer this with certainty but as far as I remember, they don't have a much higher tension than Inno braided.

[@elrioviolino3549]

As a long-time bass player who has defaulted to Spiros for decades, but who has only recently tried the D'Addario Pizz and Hybrids, I confess I never tried the Perpetuals. I find them preferable (at least on your bass) to the Spiros by a good margin....warmer, more bouncy/bubbly/plucky, whereas the Spiros sounded quite hard and less forgiving. I will definitely check out a set of Perpetuals for my 1870 French Quenoil-style bass.

[@johnmontalvo9537]

This is great, I have Helicores on and wish to switch to Spiros on my 2003 Otto Glaesel 3/4 and soon Piastro Perpetuals on a 1937 Kay I'll own soon enough. This program is very valuable. We get enough of the sound and critique to know which directions we'll pick up from here. Thanks. Vedersein !!!

[@stringmatrix]

Thank you very much!

[@Rui1982]

Nice channel 👍 thanks

[@hansitozari]

Thx for your very helpful comparison! And great playing too! I enjoyed this review a lot! One question: Which Microphone are you using? thx in advance! kind regards Hajo

[@danielgreen4225]

Giving this the headphones test, I have to say that I've been hereby convinced more, than by any other means so far...good work! From me, the Perpetuals now get the nod, all things like timbre and versatility considered. Yes, I'm yet another now-defunct Velvetstring Animas/Blues fan, forced reluctantly into what seems this nearly vain treadmill search for the 'best' substitute replacement. At present, it's orchestra tuned solos Thomastik Spirocore F# and B, Belcanto E, and a Superior Basswork dirty gut G, which have served me reasonably well on the Saxony flatback, both pizz and arco. The next set to try now will most likely be the Perpetual solos, despite any question about product longevity ...🤔😉

[@samuelgelfer8857]

Thank you for mentioning the Velvet Blues! I'm using Belcanto and Spirocore Solos in orchestral tuning and it has been good, although the Spiros are noticeably closer to what I want than the Belcantos. Should I try the Orchestral strings or the Solo in standard tuning with the Perpetuals next? I do want more volume when I'm playing unplugged, but at the same time I don't want to have to work too hard.

[@danielgreen4225]

@@samuelgelfer8857 - IMHO, given my 1800s flatback (with its 42.5" active string length), to closely emulate well the total string tension/suppleness that mimics what we both apparently loved with the Velvets, (for me) the trick is: solo gauge strings, orchestral-tuned (EADG). Altho' I really like what I have now (per above), after holding off for a few years taking in others' review impressions, I'm definitely ordering the solo gauge Pirastro Perpetual string set next. Btw, if you haven't already, here's another vid that could be worth your time to check out, esp. if arco playing for you is important: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5a9mp2jqqx0e80 ~~~ An update: after installing and playing these, it's a definite "yes" for the Perpetuals solo gauge, for me. The A (G orchestral-tuned) is a tad thinner than I'd prefer, but this is unavoidable, given its being primarily engineered for solo tuning use. To address your above question more directly, I could either go with the Perpetuals solo gauge or the Thomasik Spirocore set, solo gauge; either way, you should be reasonably satisfied. (However, if at least half of your playing is arco, IMHO the nod definitely goes to Pirastro). Regardless, this treadmill search for the closest substitute for the now ended Velvetstring Blues or Animas is DONE, finally...laid to rest! 😔

[@bobderosa4079]

Very nice! Thank you. Are you now using one of these as your regular strings?

[@mdspman000]

I'm not sure which string is better but your playing is great. Okay, I liked the perpetual a more but they both sound great for different reasons.

[@philrowan4657]

Great stuff and great playing, Herve! Out of curiosity, what string length is your bass? Might be good to know for those shopping around for strings.

[@stringmatrix]

Thank you very much! The string length is 104,5 cm.

[@abrahamhumphrey2297]

Sound great as always. Please try Kolstein heritage for next video?. Thanks!

[@stringmatrix]

I will send Kolstein an e-mail. I've never heard or played these strings.

[@Robertjohnsonbass]

I've used the Kolstein heritage string on and off for a number of years they are a good sounding synthetic string! They have a comfortable tension, and there affordable. My only complaint with the string is that they die fast and hard!! And I find myself taking them off as they have lost that sweet tone and sound flat. They are available at a good price at Quinn Violins:)

Thank you! I appreciate your video. What is your opinion on the strings when you bowed them? Sometimes I feel like Spirocores are a crazy uncontrolled horse when I bow them.

[@joldisyri8936]

You sound fantastic! How do the spirocore solos compare to the lights?

[@koertdekker]

Thanks for this great comparison! I have allways used Spirocore light or medium on my bass, but hearing the perpetuals on your bass make me doubt! They sound a little bigger , warmer then the Spiro's. But another benefit of Sprirocore strings is that they last very long. You can have them on your bass for many years. What can you say about the Perpetuals? Do they last long?

[@stringmatrix]

I can't tell you how long they last. I just had them on the bass for a couple of weeks. Good luck!

[@badscrew4023]

Spirocores are equally good at bow and pizz, that's why I'm using them... In your examples the Spiros had more front of the note 'snap' when played pizzicato and I like it. Didn't hear much difference bowed.

[@arielglusman]

Hello Herve, thanks for all the string reviews, very useful. How do the Perpetuals compare to the Evhas Weich, in sound, feeling and tension?

[@stringmatrix]

Hi Ariel, I didn't use these two sets for a longer period of time, so I had to listen to my String Matrix myself to answer this (and recall the feeling of both sets). Funnily the sound of the Perpetuals is not that far from the sound of EP. But the response or reaction of the two sets is a little different due to different materials. Perpetual are maybe a little more focused, compact-sounding. The EP are maybe "broader", "creamier" and feel bouncier. They compare nicely on the String Matrix on my site!

[@arielglusman]

@@stringmatrix Tension wise, how do the Perpetuals compare to the EP Weich? Keep swingin'

[@stringmatrix]

@@arielglusman You can check all the tension figures on the Pirastro website (see the description and there is a table with kg figures) www.pirastro.com/public_pirastro/pages/de/Perpetual-00007/

[@jazzcontrebasse]

Bonjour. Dans le mix final de la prise avec l’AT4041 (et de manière générale dans les vidéos sur les demos de cordes) est ce que vous mélangez aussi un peu du son du micro voix dans le mix ? Ou ce n’est que l’audio technica uniquement ?

[@stringmatrix]

Bonjour, non en principe je coupe le micro voix (mute) quand on entend la contrebasse. Si je n'ai pas fait d'erreur, la prise du AT4041 c'est donc seulement ce micro (je vais vérifier...). Mais c'est vrai qu'un peu de micro voix dans le mix peut aussi donner un son avec une belle ambiance.

[@willb3698]

Superb. I love the perpetual’s - simply because they bow so very well. I have been playing the SOLO set, and it’s a different string again: much darker than the orchestral set. These are great to bow, but they are a light, light string. Lighter than my previous choice: the defunct VELVET 180’s. Any, I am subbing to you.

[@stringmatrix]

Thanks for your comment, I would like to hear the Solo Perpetuals!

[@FrowinIckler]

Great as always ! I tried the Perpetual too. I liked the sound, too. But I had the feeling that they are not very loud. The Velvet Blue or the Pirazzis are much louder. Maybe it's my bass....What was your experience?

[@stringmatrix]

Thank you Frowin! Compared to the Spiros I found the volume similar. You could say the Spiros sound a tiny bit more powerful because of their "durchsetzungsstarke" (English word??) hi mids. Compared to Evah: Evah and Obligato make a bass sound really big, as if it would vibrate more freely, that's true. I didn't compare A/B but you may be right that Evah sound a little louder.

[@FrowinIckler]

@@stringmatrix Durchsetzungsstärke in English? Maybe "cut through" ;-) My bass tend to have a problem with high tension strings, because of the high pressure on the top. I have an Moser system on my bass that highens the tailpiece, that solves this issue a little. BTW : Great SOLO-PIECE !!!!

[@willb3698]

FroFunk , don’t expect to be buying Velvet soon. You realise they are not being made more? ANYTHING is not being made by Schertler. Gutted? Yes me too. V. Sad.

[@FrowinIckler]

@@willb3698 Yes, very sad !

[@robinmolin]

Wow! Great work, thanks! I would love to see some tests with Gensslers strings.. especially the WRAPs. Have you considered this? Maybe he is willing to give you strings for testing if you tell him about your great channel?

[@stringmatrix]

Well... I asked him about the possibility of having test strings a long time ago for the string matrix on my website but that was not possible. At some point I ordered the wraps and played them for a year and then the G string broke, so unfortunately I can't present that set. I am considering ordering a set of basso. If l do it I will present them. But I am still a little reluctant since I am very happy with my Oliv-Wraps combination right now.

[@robinmolin]

@@stringmatrix i see! So you are using wraps for E A D and oliv for G right now?

[@stringmatrix]

@@robinmolin No, I also took the D Oliv! Because the Wraps D has a Nylon (?) winding. With G+D Oliv and A+E Wraps all strings are flatwound gut. And the low Gensslers match so well with the high Olivs, as if that set was meant to be.

[@robinmolin]

@@stringmatrix wow! Thats great to hear. I have an oliv G at home so then I might use that one if the WRAP G breaks. Thanks for thorough answers.

[@stringmatrix]

@@robinmolin Ah you have Wraps too, nice! Yes. The Oliv G sounds is different than the wraps G but it should work. If the Wraps D sticks out, get an Oliv D!

[@nyambe]

Is there much difference between the spirocore light and medium? I have the medium I want to change. Can’t find the perpetual here where I live.

[@stringmatrix]

I would say similar sound but different feel. Difficult to describe exactly.

[@koertdekker]

The mediums have a bit bigger tone, but has also lot more string tension. The mediums are not very good for bowing. I prefer the weich (light) easy on the left hand!

[@dschaevitz]

Do the perpetuals have a light/medium/etc? If so, which ones are used here? Cheers

[@stringmatrix]

No, there is a "medium" set but for g and d you have a "stark" option, these have a bigger diameter and a slightly higher tension. In this video I used the normal medium set, no starks.

[@gerardodemonaco8501]

hi! the perpetuals are mid tension or soft? whats your opinion comparing with spirocore mittel?

[@stringmatrix]

Softer than Spiro mittel. They are similar to Spiro light.

[@gerardodemonaco8501]

Thanks very much!! Your website is awesome

[@piotrrodowicz5265]

very good comment, good playing, good sound, I think I like perpetual better , do You know G and D Stark string, what are they , Piotr

[@stringmatrix]

Thank you Piotr! No unfortunately I didn't get a chance to try the stark g and d yet.

[@piotrrodowicz5265]

@@stringmatrix I like your channel, objective, proffessional

[@mindbodylightsound10]

I thought the Perpetuals had more girth to the sound but that might also be because your spirocore set is weich gauge

[@grahamkozak2315]

Honestly these sound so similar the differences are slight, the D and E strings specifically sound almost identical, there's slight variation with the G and A strings in the sets... What would be the big difference is how long each set lasts / how they age.

[@worldofbrine]

Love the sound of the spirocores... noticeably better to my ear than the perpetuals. More air; more open/depth...

[@Rafa-gl1xl]

Hi Hervé! Did you change the gain between recordings? Looks like Perpetual have more volume than Spirocore. Isn't it? Thanks!!

[@stringmatrix]

No I didn't. But maybe I normalized the recording so if there was a louder peak in the Spiro recording, at the end the file would sound softer. Difficult to make everything perfect!

[@Rafa-gl1xl]

@@stringmatrix Thanks Hervé, it is a great help! Seems that Perpetual have a more equilibrated sound then.

[@sylvaingagnon1013]

Did you test any Chinese strings?

[@stringmatrix]

No not yet!

[@willb1157]

I must say that I have the "solo" version of these strings, and I am quite unimpressed by the longevity of them. About 6 months into them, and a 6 months of LIGHT use, to be honest, and they are Dead, Dead, Dead. Thud. kind of dead. As I say, these are the "Solo's", but it's put me off getting the standards. I have always used a lighter string. But these just died man. And I care for my strings. Such a shame as they sound great out of the packet. That said - you can here the Arco breakup on the Spiros here - always a problem with them. The Perps bow well and spoke clearly....for a while.

[@taempe6932]

the g string has a disturbing rattle against the fb, destroys the otherwise nice and clean performance.