Pirastro Oliv E Double Bass 4/4-3/4

I am a classical musician playing on a Krattenmacher 5-stringer. I have for many years used Eudoxa, but due to lack of availability now have Oliv G, A, E and Eudoxa D, B.

Compared to Eudoxa E, the first thing you notice is the greater intensity of sound. The string feels as though you need slightly more weight with the bow, but it also speaks easily, if a little later than the Eudoxa. It is a huge dark sound, less bright and with fewer treble overtones than Eudoxa. It is a deep "purr", but if you want a loud attack it will take the windows out! I have had the string on a week now, and it is starting to develop more colour and any suspicion of wolf notes is disappearing as the instrument settles to the new tension (I think it is about 5lb less than Eudoxa E). It is actually thicker than my B string, which is kind of wierd for a bit, but now I love the feel of the thicker guage.

Pizzicato I am still working on a bit, it seems to respond better to being stroked with a slow release and it varies a lot according to which part of the string you use.

In short, it is much more of an orchestral sound than the Eudoxa, darker and less brilliant. It is just as resonant despite the thicker guage, and is making the remaining Eudoxas sound a bit flabby. Not sure I am ready for an Oliv B though! BTW, make sure it is fitted correctly at the tailpiece, bridge and nut.