ItalianPirastro Flat-Chromesteel (set),tested on my
acoustic double bass.
After six hours by mounting, the strings held correctly
their pitch (excellent: the best strings I used needed about 24 hours).
The homogeneity between all strings is very good both in
volume and timbre, with an apparent roll-off at low frequencies (at least
comparing to Obligato).
The tension is perfect for the playability at all
dynamics. The lower diameter gives, as first approach, a little less smooth
feeling respect to the exceptional comfort of Obligato, but the lower tension
compensates it, giving altogether a very, very good playability.
The sound with pizzicato has a bright attack and a very
good sustain on all notes.
A special mention goes to the timbre of
the first two strings: with pizzicato my bass exhibits the best sound I
could hope, particularly on the second part of keyboard; there is all I could
desire, and at every dynamics: sustain, timbre, punch, sing-ability,
brightness.
The only weaknesses of this set of strings (at least
on my acoustic instrument) seem to be the sound "just" excellent of third
string and a "E" string apparently a little empty on bass frequencies respect
to the other strings, which gives a valuation "just" very good for this string
(but the "fault", as I said, is caused by the AAA sound of treble strings).
But the surprise is playing with the bow: it's the first
time I get a string with so much sustain without dead notes and hoots with
arco; all the strings of the set become perfectly balanced. This set requests just a little prudence playing treble strings
but, as counterweight, low strings have a warmer sound
compared to pizzicato sound. The response is good
at all dynamics, the sound is "neutral".
On the whole, Flat-Chromesteel strings seem near to be
the best string possible for pizzicato (surely the best I used -between
various models and marks); low strings a bit more
"rich" (at least on this instrument) would make this a perfect set. The
sensation (I think I'll try them soon) is of optimum strings for the electric
instrument.
As for Obligato, the list price is more than correct.
Some street prices (unfortunately in USA) gives a really good Q/P ratio.
Italian
Pirastro Flat-Chromesteel (set),
tested on my
acoustic double bass.