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Strings for Double Bass:
String Sets
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String Sets: Pirastro Obligato Upright Bass Strings |
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Manufactured by:
Pirastro
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Choices starting at $172.00
(click on arrow next to Add To Cart button)
Shipping Cost: Starting at $6.00*
* Shipping cost assumes shipment to the Eastern Continental USA. You can temporarily add the product to your shopping cart to view actual shipping charges, or
Log in or create an account with a shipping address to automatically see shipping charges on each product page. We usually combine shipping costs for multiple item orders.
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Email To Friend!
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 Pirastro
Obligatos
and now, for something
completely different... Pirastro's popular Obligato
strings have a solid synthetic core with a very thin metal wrap. They
were designed to emulate gut strings, and they did a darn good job of
creating such a string. Their attack is "old school" with that more
blunt and thicker, warmer hit, with a little less sustain than more
modern jazz strings. Their very smooth surface is kind to the fingers
and they are a dream to bow. If you want your sound to be
"traditional", whether for bluegrass, old school jazz and blues, or
other styles that calls for that sound, you will enjoy the Obligatos.
I had a set on my Kay for quite a while, for my own bluegrass, jazz
and blues gigs, and I really enjoyed them. (I had planned to put a
set on it again, and only removed them as I needed my laminated bass
for more modern jazz sounds, as my carved Juzek underwent repairs. I
just like the articulation of the Corellis for that- my high
frequency hearing is just going bad! ;-) I am enjoying the gut
strings on it now; see below) I am very fond of how well they
emulate gut and the traditional bass sound, yet without mud or
imprecision. They may look like metal strings, but they sure don't
feel or sound like them-- the thin coating fools you! Not for use
with magnetic pickups.
 Pirastro
does not list gauges on their packages, but I have taken the time to
gauge all the strings using a digital caliper and present the
following unofficial measurements of the standard 3/4 size Obligatos
for your reference:
| Std Tuning |
G=.060 |
D=.069 |
A=.088 |
E=.111 |
| Solo Tuning |
A=.058 |
E=.063 |
B=.080 |
F#=.106 |
They offer them in 3/4 size, and  ¼ and ½ sizes, too (see "related products," below). All strings
have red with black spiral thread at the tailpiece, and the following
colors at the headstock:
Standard Gauge:
- G=brown
- D=red
- A=black
- E=green
- Extended E=green
- Low B=yellow
The color code ring at peg end for ½
size is yellow, and light blue for ¼ size. |
¾ size Solo Gauge:
- A=light gray
- E=light green
- H=light yellow
- FIS=light blue
- CIS5=light violet
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Tuning in Fifths (special order):
- A=black
- D=red
- G=brown
- C=violet
all with a blue peg ring. |
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- traditional "old
school" bass sound
- the definite choice for bluegrass, blues, and similar genres
- very smooth string surface
- a dream to bow
- the anti-metal string
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Choices starting at $172.00
(click on arrow next to Add To Cart button)
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FAQs Associated With This Product
STRINGS: Changing Strings on your Upright Bass
STRINGS: Solo gauge bass strings
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Strings: Choices for Bluegrass Players
Check out this selection of strings often purchased by bluegrass bassists! If you're struggling with what strings to buy, this may help narrow it down...
From $74.00
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NXT 4 and 5 String Electric Upright Basses by NS Design
The NXT Series instruments are the same design as the popular WAV4 Bass, but are made in NS Design's top notch Czech factory. Nothing even comes close in this price range...
From $1,195.00
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Strings: SOLO Gauge Strings, Solo Strings
Designed to be tuned one whole step higher than standard pitch, these strings are also often tuned normally for a lighter feel. Here are some solo string choices...
From $131.00
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String Sets: Corelli 370 Upright Bass Strings
Corelli's versatile and articulate strings are easy on the hands (it's one reason they're my favorite!) and bow very well. Medium, Forte, and Extra Forte Gauges Available...
From $103.00
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String Set: Kolstein Heritage Upright Bass Strings
The Kolstein Heritage strings were designed by Kolstein Music, Inc. They are a synthetic string designed to offer the feel and tension of gut strings but deliver the sound of orchestral or jazz strings...
$135.00
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String Set: Innovation SuperSilver - 140SS (Super Silver)
Innovation Super Silver Strings are often used for Rockabilly and Bluegrass - they're a synthetic alternative to true gut strings...
$149.00
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Single Strings: Lenzner Gut Upright Bass Single String
Lenzner Gut Strings are the absolute original signature sound - very organic and warm. Available as separates, with wound or unwound A and E strings... High C string available...
From $48.00
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Single Strings: Pirastro Eudoxa Single Wound Gut Upright Bass String
Popular among jazz players who want a little more brightness and a smoother bowing surface, but with a traditional natural gut feel and vibe... High C string available by special order...
From $111.00
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Single Strings: Pirastro Obligato Upright Bass String
Pirastro's Obligato strings have a solid synthetic core with a very thin metal wrap. They were designed to emulate gut strings... Now in ¼ and ½ sizes, too! Low B, High C, Extended E, and Solo Gauge available...
From $35.50
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String Sets: Pirastro Obligato 1/4 size and 1/2 size Upright Bass Strings
Now available in smaller sizes for 1/2 and 1/4 sized basses, Pirastro's Obligato strings were designed to emulate gut strings...
From $172.00
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String Set: Thomastik Dominant Upright Bass Strings
Dominants are a long-time favorite of a lot of players due to their gut string-like character. Responsive for a stranded perlon core, they bow very well and deliver a nice, shorter pizzicato sustain...
$200.00
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TurboTune musical instrument string winder
This useful tool will handle the monster upright bass keys (as well as those wimpy little guitar tuners). Use the crank or attach it to your electric screwdriver!
$9.50
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Here is what some of our customers think about this product:
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Bob & Mark,
Wow! I am always amazed at how quickly I receive orders placed with your company. My Wav 4 arrived today. I am thrilled. I changed out the strings to Obligatos, and raised the bridge. This thing is great! While it doesn't sound exactly like my Englehardt, I love the sound of it. I've really come to trust your recommendations and it is a joy to deal with both of you.
Thanks again!
—Alan T
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I put the Pirastro Obligato strings on the Swingmaster and had a luthier I found on your site lower the bridge and nut. It has a much nicer tone and plays easier. The stand is a real good idea, it really does result in more time playing. The bass bag is nice and heavy duty. The website is a real help. I appreciate the way you guys do business. Good products at a good price. I also appreciate your input and insight, on the various products that are available.
—Gary
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I received the Obligato strings yesterday and put them on my '66 Kay bass. Wow is all I can say! They make my Kay sound like a carved bass. I actually get some growl on the E and A strings now, and the G string is even in volume with the rest of the set, which was a problem with my previous strings. Also bowing these strings is a real pleasure, very smooth and even sounding. Thanks for recommending these strings on your website!
—Eric
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Hi Bob, I have spent the last several months giving myself a crash course in URB. Your site was a great help and answered many questions for me. I purchased the K&K Bass Max, and about a week later a set of Pirastro Obligato strings. Both from you. I can't tell you how happy I am with these choices. The strings made a tremendous difference in the sound and volume of my bass. And the Bass Max lets the true sound of the bass through to my combo. It even sounds great with no preamp.
Anyone just getting acquainted with upright bass that wants to do it right the first time should visit your site, and trust the information. You saved me a great deal of time and money.
P.S. Thanks for the ultra fast shipping!
—Chris
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Dear Gollihur and Son,
I've been gigging with the WAV 4 you sold me for about 2 months now. 1 month ago, I restrung it with Pirastro Obligatos, also purchased from you. All in all, probably the smartest $1,000 I've ever spent. This thing is really a monster, tonewise. My initial approach was to try to make it sound as much like an acoustic upright as possible (hence the Obligatos.) But as I started closing in on that, it began to dawn on me that the WAV 4 is a totally different animal, sort of a "third way" for bassists. So now I've developed a hybrid tone (or, more accurately, tones - this thing is really versatile) that fuses a foundation of a more traditional upright sound with qualities that can be attained with an electric instrument. One tonal configuration I find particularly beguiling is adding just a whisper of compression, chorus and "room" (reverb) - so subtle that you wouldn't really notice it unless it was taken away. It's very thick and lyrical, but with crystalline definition and, of course, volume is no problem with the WAV 4 (I've played it for 2 hours with a drummer, electric guitar, acoustic 12 string and electric violin - the WAV stayed in the mix beautifully, and I wasn't the least bit fatigued at the end of the night.)
So, thanks again for a bass n' strings combo that has actually changed my life.
—Dan B
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Mark -
I LOVE those strings. They are worth every penny. Thanks so much. It took a couple days for them to settle in but wow they sound great on my Kay. I'm tickled pink.
—Dee B
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