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Pirastro: Obligato Double Bass Strings

(10 customer reviews)

$259.62$262.62

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Pirastro Obligato Double Bass Strings are a proven all around string that bows well and has a great pizzicato response. A reasonably priced “do-it-all” set.

Pirastro Obligato Double Bass Strings

Description

Pirastro Obligato Double Bass Strings are a proven all around string that bows well and has a great pizzicato response.

They are a well known string here at Upton Bass and we have been offering and recommending them for years. Pirastro Obligato Double Bass Strings are reasonably priced and a great performer for the multi-style upright bass player. Obligato strings have a core made from a modern synthetic multi-filament fiber wound with chrome steel. The result is a set that is bright and focused with a quick response. Obligato’s tone has been described as dark and growly, specifically regarding the E string. This set can growl for jazz, thump for bluegrass, and then be bowed with ease…a very nice attribute. Pirastro Obligato Double Bass Strings are not the optimal set for all styles, but they are a reasonably priced “do-it-all” set that has been well reviewed and loved by many. If you are looking for a set that exceeds in a specific style, we would be happy to guide you in the right direction.

 

Pirastro Obligato Double Bass Strings are available in Medium/Mittel tension or Solo. Medium tension is preferred by most players. If you are unsure which string set is for you, consult the Color Code below, or call our shop at +1 (860) 535-9399.

 

Gary’s Thoughts: Pirastro Obligato Double Bass Strings are a great all around string choice. They are a good beginners set that are flexible and dark, though not to be confused with gut. The core is made of high molecular weight polyethylene (actually the same core as LaBella’s Supernil), and is extremely elastic. This HMWPE core has been known to create a rubbery-like tension on the bridge which can be damaging, and for that reason, I wouldn’t recommended it for instruments with a top deformation or propensity to that. Some players have commented that the E and A twist too much under the finger, which is why I created my custom blended set.

Highlights:

  • Modern synthetic core strings
  • Suitable for arco and pizzicato
  • Bright, brialliant, and focused sound

Pirastro Obligato Color Codes:

Pirastro Obligato Double Bass Strings Color Code

10 reviews for Pirastro: Obligato Double Bass Strings

  1. Gary Upton (verified owner)

    I am currently enjoying these strings on many of the basses in our shop and also have them on my Klotz. Truly a string the does as well pizz as arco.

    Gary

  2. kip martin

    I have Pirastro Obligato strings on my 1920s John Juzek/Prague bass as well as my 1940 American Standard. On both basses, they have a huge low end, deep warmth, and smooth mids, yet are clear, detailed, and crisp in the upper register.

    The carved bass has a less razzy tone than some prefer, yet growls and sustains well. I use this base primarily for recording. The American Standard, a plywood bass, needed the bottom end boosted–these strings did that well. Its my ‘live’ bass.

    I play and record a variety of american music including bluegrass, folk, bebop, rockabilly, and traditional and alt country. I used to set my basses up with steel E and A, and gut for the D and G. This solution is cheaper, sounds better, and to be honest, makes my basses sound better.

  3. Arturo Baguer

    I’ve used obligatos D and G on my kay upright and on my Eminence and Knutson Messenger EUBs. With the EUBs I travel to Europe a lot and have been very happy with the string response in relation to the pickups (Barbera and Realist). The strings have also recorded very well with both upright and EUB giving the Kay a darker, old school sound and making both EUBs less nasal. While I continue to use steel strings on the E and A of all the basses, I will continue using the Obligatos on the D and G.

  4. hans lovejoy (verified owner)

    I like these string a lot. If you are after a gut sound, it’s close, and the price an’t bad.

  5. Eugene Carey

    I DO NOT BOW MY BASS (ONLY “PICK”) AND AM GIVING UP THESE STRINGS AFTER ONE YEAR. THE REASON: MY INDEX FINGER DEVELOPS A BLISTER AND IS TOO SORE TO EVEN PLAY AFTER A FEW HOURS. IT TOOK ME ABOUT A MONTH TO GET MY FINGER IN SHAPE BUT I DON’T PLAY ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN THE “BLISTER” ..

    I PLAN TO GO TO GUT CORE STRINGS ON THE “G” AND “D” AND KEEP THE OBLIGATOS ON THE A AND E STRINGS ONLY.

    LIKE THE TONE AND THE PRECISENESS.

  6. michael rassilyer

    So far, I’m very satisfied with these strings. We’ll see how long they last, but they’re settling in nicely now. Very comfortable to play, and a good sound for my Hawkes.

  7. Ryan McMasters (verified owner)

    As per the directions, they stretch quite a bit for the first few minutes, but they’re very stable after only a few hours of play. Excellent projection and sound on my 7/8 Panormo style plywood. The pizz sound is much less harsh than a Helicore Pizz or even the Spirocores. They’re a dream for bowing as well: quick response, even tone across the entire range of the bass, much darker than my previous strings have been. I’ve recently been in search of an excellent pizz/arco hybird, and for the money, you can’t beat the Obligatos. I look forward to many more great sets in the years to come.

  8. Jozsef Horvath

    These strings sound fantastic! They have nice warm sound. For pizz has a great attack and eouogh sustain ( the unlimited sustain could not be natural on upright bass, in my opinion), the sound is natural as possible even if you amplify by pickup. With bow you can get a sweet, slightly dark sound. My 5 years old masterbuilt bass sounds like a 100 years old one with it. I think it’s recomended for everyone who’s looking for natural sound!

  9. kip martin

    been using these for years. this is the ONLY string that will give you the growl you need for modern playing while not sacrificing bottom end or gut-like pop. they have even toe, which ive just never found with gut strings. btw, i find i can get a year out of them if i detune them a bit after a stretch of gigs.

  10. David Teague

    I play a Pollmann, made in 1966. I have had the instrument revoiced and the bass bar replaced. I tune in fifths, CGDA, same tuning as Red Mitchell used, and that Joel Quarrington, Paul Unger, and Dennis Masuzzo use.

    I use Obligato strings for Fifths tuning. The A and D are wonderful. The “old style” G had an all synthetic core. It was listless. It was superseded by a G that is at least part steel. I replaced it, and it produces sound with the same quality and volume as the all synthetic A and D. The C is all synthetic, and it really isn’t what it should be. I can get a big sound, but it is disproportionately more work to get this level of sound than the upper strings require.

    Pirastro makes an “reformulated” low C that I’m going to try next. Given that the G has steel in it, I will be surprised if the reformulated low C doesn’t have steel in it too. I’ll contact Pirastro to ask about this, and post again once this question is resolved.

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