Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Strings: A Comprehensive Overview

Evah Pirazzi strings, manufactured by Pirastro, are a popular choice for string players of all levels. Renowned for their exceptional quality and adaptability, these strings offer a unique blend of warmth, brilliance, and responsiveness, making them suitable for a wide range of playing styles and musical genres. This comprehensive overview delves into the various aspects of Evah Pirazzi strings, including their material composition, sound characteristics, availability, and more.

Material Composition

Evah Pirazzi strings are crafted with a core made from a modern, synthetic multifilament fibre. This innovative core material forms the foundation for the strings' exceptional tonal qualities and responsiveness. While the core material remains consistent across all Evah Pirazzi strings, the materials used for the winding vary depending on the string and the instrument.

To illustrate this further, here's a table summarising the material composition of Evah Pirazzi strings for violin, viola, and cello:

Instrument	E String	A String	D String	G String	C String
Violin	Silvery Steel, Gold steel plated, or Platinum plated	Aluminium over synthetic core	Silver over synthetic core	Silver over synthetic core
Viola		Chromesteel over steel or Aluminium over synthetic core	Sterling Silver over synthetic	Sterling Silver over synthetic	Tungsten-Sterling Silver over synthetic
Cello		Chromesteel over steel	Chromesteel over steel	Tungsten over rope core	Tungsten over rope core

A Deeper Dive into the Materials:

• Silvery Steel (E string): This material provides a bright and clear tone with good projection.
• Gold steel plated (E string): Offers a more brilliant and powerful sound compared to the Silvery Steel E string.
• Platinum plated (E string): Known for its wide range of sound colours and an overtone-rich radiance, the Platinum E-string allows for effortless transitions from the A to the E string. It has even been said to have a "suggestive force," with some proclaiming it "the new benchmark!"
• Aluminium (A string): Contributes to a warm and projecting sound, creating a balanced tone on the A string.
• Silver (D and G strings): Provides a smooth and nuanced tone with rich depth and resonance.
• Chromesteel (A and D strings): Offers a bright and powerful sound with a warm core.
• Tungsten (G and C strings): Contributes to a powerful and focused tone with a long decay and extensive lower tone spectrum, particularly beneficial for cellists.

Sound Characteristics

Evah Pirazzi strings are celebrated for their powerful and brilliant sound, complemented by a warm core sound. They offer a wide dynamic range, enabling expressive playing from the softest pianissimo to the loudest fortissimo. The strings are highly responsive, reacting quickly to even subtle changes in bow pressure and finger position. They are also suitable for electric instruments and those equipped with piezo-pickups.

Violin: Violinists often describe Evah Pirazzi strings as having a silvery, sweet, and full tone with a complex sound rich in overtones. They are a top choice for soloists due to their intensive and powerful sound.

Viola: Violists appreciate the strings' ability to emphasise the individual sound picture of their instrument, providing a powerful and colourful sound with enormous projection.

Cello: Cellists find that Evah Pirazzi strings offer great brilliance combined with a warm core sound, with a smooth transition between strings and a powerful open sound on the C string.

Availability of Different Gauges

Evah Pirazzi strings are available in different gauges to accommodate various playing styles and preferences.

Violin:

• Evah Pirazzi violin strings are typically available in medium gauge.
• The E string is also offered in soft (0.25mm) and strong (0.27mm) gauges.
• Evah Pirazzi strings are available in fractional sizes for violins.
• A 5-string set for violins is also available.
• Specialised, elongated G strings for violins custom made for ZMT are available.

Viola:

• Evah Pirazzi viola strings are available in light (weich), medium, and heavy (stark) gauges.
• Straight strings are only available in medium gauge.
• Specialised, elongated C strings for violas custom made for ZMT are available.

Cello:

• Evah Pirazzi cello strings are available in soft (weich), medium, and strong (stark) gauges.
• The different gauges offer distinctive sound differences:

• Soft gauge: Warmer sound.
• Medium gauge: Brilliant sound.
• Strong gauge: Brighter sound with considerable volume.

Comparison with Other Popular Synthetic Strings

Evah Pirazzi strings are often compared to other popular synthetic strings like Dominant and Vision.

• Dominant: Compared to Dominants, Evah Pirazzi strings have a brighter and more responsive tone with greater complexity. They also possess a unique combination of warmth and brilliance not commonly found in other synthetic strings.
• Vision: Vision strings are known for their durability and projection, with a brighter sound than Dominants. Evah Pirazzi strings are comparable to Vision in terms of brightness, but some players find that Vision strings have a less balanced tone.
• Tonica: Evah Pirazzi strings are darker and warmer than Tonica strings.

Lifespan and When to Change Them

The lifespan of Evah Pirazzi strings can vary depending on playing frequency, instrument, and personal preference. Some musicians report that Evah Pirazzi strings last for about a year, while others find that they need to be replaced more frequently.

Generally, it is recommended to change strings every 3-6 months for those who play regularly. Signs that your strings need to be replaced include:

• Loss of brilliance and responsiveness.
• Difficulty staying in tune.
• A false or dull sound.

Break-in Period and Settling Time

Evah Pirazzi strings have a relatively short break-in period compared to other strings. Some players find that the strings settle within a day or two, while others may experience a longer settling time of up to a week.

During the break-in period, it is common for the strings to stretch and require frequent tuning. Playing the instrument regularly can help to speed up the stretching process.

Response to Changes in Humidity and Temperature

Evah Pirazzi strings are known for their excellent tuning stability and resistance to changes in humidity and temperature. This makes them a reliable choice for musicians who perform in a variety of environments.

Special Care or Maintenance

While Evah Pirazzi strings are relatively low-maintenance, regular cleaning can help to prolong their lifespan and maintain their sound quality.

• Wipe off any remaining rosin from the strings after playing.
• Clean the strings with a string cleaner at least once a week.

Availability of Different Versions

In addition to the standard Evah Pirazzi strings, Pirastro offers several variations:

• Evah Pirazzi Gold: These strings have a warmer and fuller sound than the standard Evah Pirazzi strings. They are available for violin, viola, and cello. For cellists, it's worth noting that the C string can sometimes be perceived as "flabby."

• Rope Core: The rope core versions of Evah Pirazzi Gold strings for viola and cello offer a more brilliant and direct sound with enhanced warmth.

• Evah Pirazzi Soloist: These strings are designed for soloists and offer a more powerful and brilliant sound with a long decay. They are available for cello.

Conclusion

Evah Pirazzi strings are a versatile and high-quality choice for string players of all levels. Their unique blend of warmth, brilliance, and responsiveness makes them suitable for a wide range of playing styles and musical genres. With their exceptional tuning stability and relatively short break-in period, Evah Pirazzi strings offer a reliable and expressive playing experience for musicians.

If you're looking for strings that offer a balance of power, warmth, and responsiveness, Evah Pirazzi strings are definitely worth exploring. Try them out on your instrument and experience the difference for yourself! For those who want to delve deeper into the world of Evah Pirazzi strings, you can visit the Pirastro website or consult with your local luthier for personalised advice.