ok we all have this discussion time to time, what do people recommend for a fiddle with the voice similar to a viola, deep loud, rich. Not shrill, bright or harsh by any means.
I want to retain the rich warm voice but bring out the warmth more. Any recommendations?
Keep in mind a. I will need to buy these from online, B I live in the consumer backblocks on a global scale.
They feel kind of baggy if you are used to crisper strings and take a little more effort to control. But well worth it I reckon. They also vibrate bigger, so require a more classical action height.
Dominants are okay, not really my favorite. Tomastic makes these really great ones that they call the "blues" and "reds"..I personally like blues but the reds have a darker sound (if they work as well as the blues)
My fiddle kind of fits that description and I used to have Dominants, but now I have Tonicas with a Lenzner Goldbrokat E string (not my idea! the violin shop suggested them). It definitely focused the sound and sweetened it a bit. And Tonicas aren't that expensive, either. They took about a week to settle in, and they still sound good after almost four months, so I'm happy.
I was using Obligatos but recently switched to John Pearse Artiste 3500.
My violin has a "dark-ish" sound and the Obligato's seemed to strangle it. With the John Pearse it has a rich open sound. I like the Pearse strings very much and as a bonus they're cheaper than the Obligatos.
no fiddle is naturally rich deep and dark, strings compliment it, although the strings that are on it now are good I want to take it to a new level. In a basic sound comparison it is very similar to the one Liz Carrol uses on her cds in voice - without studio or pickup help.
I have tried the Infeld Reds mentioned by possumawesome. I'm play Evah Pirazzi's right now. I'm not hearing anything dramatically different than Dominants, and I think I might go back to them for the sake of cost. I've seen them as low as $28 USD at some websites.
Are there any steel string players out there? Just curious? How about the E string? Do you stay with the hole package are swap out the E with something else?
For the last few months I've been using Thomastic Vision Titaniums on both my fiddles (a 200 year old, and a 5 year old). They're stable in tuning, with a smooth rich tone, and settled in well after a few days. The E, in particular, really sings. I was advised to go for the "Titanium" rather than the regular Visions. No sign of wear - and I do a reasonable amount of playing on both fiddles. I don't see any reason at present to change them for anything else.
An important factor on the tone of the fiddle, which many players do not appreciate, is the bow. I have four bows that I've gradually acquired over the years, and each one gives a different tone and volume of sound. One, the heavier c/f bow, will bring out the lower frequencies well; another, an old pernabuco bow which came with the old fiddle, is very light and gives a smooth velvety sound with less hiss than the others; the third, a newish pernambuco bow, brightens the tone; and the lighter c/f bow is the most powerful of the lot if you really want to make yourself heard. They all respond well.
I've been playing Prim mediums for about thirty years. They're steel. I don't like the feel of synth-core strings - or any slack string - under the bow and I have to work too hard to stay in the narrower sweet spot for the tone I like. It's hard to say how much of my preference is just what works with my particular two fiddles or with my playing. The Prim E is weak, so I always replace it with something else - anything is better. I give my Prim E's to a friend who uses them to tone down the brash high end of her fiddle.
It always comes down to trying different sets. Horses for courses. Or is it "A horse is a horse of course, of course,,,"?
I hear you lazy hound on the bows I have discovered the same thing, oddly enough people comment that my bow of preference is too light for their taste. I have one of those fiddles that people mistake for a viola on a regular basis. Anything that signifies warm and bright generally translates into shrill and tinny. Its unforgiving of mistakes and does not need a pickup.
Surprised no one mentioned d'Addario Helicores yet, they used to be a favourite on this site (while Dominants were judged rather negative, especially because they wear out that fast). Been playing on Helicores for more than 5 years now, never wanted to change since. They are steel strings and in my opinion they feel smoother and sound much warmer than the average steel string. Stay in tune easily, long life.
if you like the sound of your fiddle now, but want a fine tune, change your e-string. I don't know what you are currently using, but what works well with Dominants is the Wondertone Gold Label (my fav setup) or the Jargar Forte.
If you want handmade chocolate, go with Eudoxas. Now they are problematic in that they are a gut core, and there are not many ITM musicians who use them because you may have to re-tune once or twice during your session. They really are my favorite string, but I still use Dominants b/c of the stability. Eudoxa also has a nice wound E string.
Strings have changed a lot over the past 20 years, and dominants are definitely old tech. I know a lot of people are attached to them, and that's fine, but the tone breaks on them at a lower volume than other strings, they take a long time to wear in (they sound very metallic for longer than other strings), and they go false (weak, empty, hollow) in sound sooner than other strings. That said, if you love them, keep them. My favorites, based on application:
Evah Pizzari - this is what I buy when I don't care about money. They feel really good under the fingers (no, really) and have a lovely, rich, powerful tone.
Zyex - when I care about money or have to play outside a lot, I put these on. Almost as good as Evahs, they have a brighter tone with less bottom. When I play outside in 100+ weather and humidity (yay Midwest), they seem to endure better than Evah Pirazzis, but I don't have really rigorous evidence of this.
Helicore - what I'd recommend for those looking for a darker sound of of their fiddles, also a pretty good viola string.
Corelli - what to use if you're looking for (much) brighter sounds. Kind of weirdly stiff, but some people like that - I'd rather take it easy on my left hand.
Vision Titanium - they're pretty cool, not terribly different than Evah Pirazzis, but generally more expensive.
I've had a set of Evah Pirazzis with the gold E string on my fiddle for over a year now and they still sound great. I play/practice everyday someitmes for hours and rarely do I have to retune. Someone mention choclate eariler, the Evahs are like Godiva liquor, Dark ,rich and intoxicating. Expensive sure, but worth it.
Liz Carroll (last I checked) uses Tonica's. So did John Carty when he was over in December.
I find Tonicas reasonably warm, and very responsive, but they don't have much volume/power. If you're playing into microphones, this matters less than when you're playing in a noisy pub where the more focused tone and cleaner response of steel strings cuts through the sonic muck better than synthetic strings do.
Helicores are steel strings with a layer of damping resin in them. The result is a string with great response time (for cleaner rolls and such), but not as harsh sounding as a conventional steel string. They sound like you're playing on the other side of a thin curtain. It's a compromise, but an acceptable one, IMHO.
I really like helicores for session playing (I use the heavy-tension ones for stronger/sweeter tone at the expense of more muscle to play them), but I'm starting to find them a bit harsh for concert-playing. I'm thinking of switching one of my fiddles to Tonicas for quieter performances.
In my own, non-scientific, mental survey that I've been conducting for the last few years: Most of the Irish fiddlers I know use steel strings over synthetic, with them being heavily favored in the North of Ireland (Helicore, Spirocore & DrTomastik are the popular ones I've seen), and giving up some ground to Dominants and their ilk in the south (Clare/East-Galway in particular).
Eva Pirazzis, Infelds (red/blue), and Zyex seem to be popular amongst the recovering classical violinists (speaking as one myself) who have come to be tired of Dominants, but can't get into the harsher sound of steel... But I haven't seen enough of them around sessions and concerts to acknowledge any real triaction (Brian Conway and Seamus Connolly are two exceptions that spring to mind).
Oh, and yes I agree that Dominants are "old tech".
I think Evas, Zyex, and Infelds are better; but most violinists out there don't fuss too much over it, and tend to continue buying what they've been playing on for years, which seems to be overwhelmingly "Dominants".
On top of that, shops know that Dominants are popular, so if they're going to stock only one kind of fiddle string (a matter of priorities), that's often what they will buy.
It's really easy to blow wads of cash experimenting with different strings, and (IMHO) not really that worth it. I've done it myself. Playing fiddle is as much about working with difficulties with your body and instrument as anything. There's no such thing as a "perfect string" anyway. Strings and fiddles change with the weather, and nothing stays constant for very long.
I had corelli crystals for a while. I know alot of people who do who play tradtional. They are good I wouldnt have anything against them. Help to give a warm sound I feel.
I use Thomastik Dominants at the moment. Infeld Blue and Reds which help to give it a brighter sound or a dimmer [ stuck for a word there! ]. I also have a p*ssastro [ something like that ], havent got round to using it yet but I have been told it gives a sweeter sound, especially on the E.
*grins* fiddles are very old tech. But the chinrest on my fiddle isn't too old, and the shoulder rest is very new tech, and so is the carbon fiber bow.
It's not too expensive to experiment with different string sets - you have to replace strings eventually! - and if you're having a hard time finding a particular variety, look online at some place like swstrings.com . In that vein, I'll have to check out the Tonicas - never tried 'em
I appreciate all the discussion and I want to add something which could be of much importance. Our climate as a nation is very similar to Ireland with a dash of Florida thrown in further north. I know a lot of people have mentioned that the strings they use hold up to the heat well. What about 0 - 10c temperatures and 95% humidity?
I am personally lucky as my fiddle stays eerily in tune regardless of what type of strings on it.
granted, it is from a "classical" perspective, but noise is noise, ehh?
Coming from someone who has been "around the world" in search of tone and sound, here are my personal (and biased) opinions....
the new Vision strings are powerful, but sound a bit artificial
Evahs are too high tension as are most new strings..they are trying to make up for "progress" and "inovation" (read "marketing") for what can be lacking in either technique or fiddle.
Obligatos are for violins with problems.
Tonicas are nice.
Synoxas are a bit brighter than Tonicas
Corellis sorta are not good
Dominant came out with the benchmark, and they still are. Everybody compares their string to what a Dominant sounds like. THey are an easy choice, and lets face it...we all want something to "fiddle" with, and we are stuck to "fiddling" with strngs and rosin.
Save some heartache...Dominants with Gold label E or Jargar Forte, or if you want the hassle, Eudoxas with the D'Addario E.
here's a string comparison for you---my Tonica D broke this morning (grrrrr) so I had to replace it with my old Dominant D. They even look different---the Dominant is almost twice the diameter of the Tonica. It also doesn't tune as easily, is noticeably louder, and how do I describe this - it would be easier if I were a better player - it's harder to get a nice tone out of it. It feels thicker and more sluggish under my finger and it doesn't respond the way the Tonica strings do.
Now I have to wait all the way until Monday until the violin shop opens again to buy a new set of strings...
I can heartily reccommend Larsen strings. They now make a steel core A string which really works with the perlon core D and G. This way you seem to get the best of both worlds - the fast response on the top two strings combined with the superior tone of the synthetics on the bass side. Mixing steel ans synthetic core in the same set rarely works well, but these have been designrd to work together. I've never used larsen E strings (I always use Thomastik Superflex) so i can't comment, but I've found the Larsens to be better than anything else around at the moment. They are very expensive, but practically indestructible.
I live in the consumer backwoods also. I always used to use Pirastro Chromcors, but when the music shop where they ordered them in jest fer me closed down, I had to go to the ONLY other music shop and my last purchase was of the only Thomastik-Infeld - Precision set they had in the shop. Now even they are gone, so, I too am having to look to the internet (much cheaper too, although we are urged to use local businesses so they don't, like the other music shop, go out of business). Looking up on online strings sites, it seems that Precisions are sometimes played by folk musicians. Whoopy!! I want something different/better, of course, myself - but don't know that I can risk the new synthetic Thomastik blue/red or the Larsons, as I'm not in a position to experiment - what I buy will have to do the job for a long time, that's all there is about it. Ebay Australia only has dirt cheap (and I presume horribubble) strings listed, along with a plethora of cheap new fiddle outfits with "antique" varnish. I wonder anyone would buy them. There used to be some good violin strings on offer, but not any more - I guess they didn't get enough takers, either.
Oh, to be able to walk into a music shop and give things a try. When you decide, please, please, please, let me know what you got and how you are getting on with them.
Broken string update - my old Dominant D string broke about 3 hours after I put it on (in the very same place as the Tonica D broke - very strange!), so I had no choice but to go string shopping. I bought a new set of trusty Tonicas and and Wondertone E and everything is fine and dandy - the Tonicas feel great and the Wondertone is lovely and sweet. I also bought a set of Larsens (on recommendation from this thread!) but couldn't get it on my fiddle because the string wrapping on the tail end is so thick that it doesn't fit into the tail piece (I don't have G D A fine tuners and the ball end has to fit into the slot in the tail piece). So now I have to bring them back. I'm kind of disappointed - I wanted to hear what they sound like!
Kennedy, if the strings keep breaking at either the nut or the bridge then I'd take a very close look at how the string passes through the groove. There should be no sharp edges, and the groove should be kept well-lubricated with pencil graphite. If the breakages are consistently where you place your fingers, then I'd check out your finger nails - the oldest suspects in the book.
You know what they say - once is an accident, twice is coincidence, three times is enemy action!
Ha! Thanks for the tip, lazyhound---it's a good guess on what happened, but both strings broke just below the peg, but far enough up from the nut that I know that wasn't what did it. It didn't happen as I was tuning, either---both times I put the fiddle in the case and then opened the case to see a broken string. Really weird.
Is it possible that when you put the string on and wind up the peg, it is being dragged over some roughness in the groove, making the string weak in one region, and that region then ends up between the peg and the nut as the string is brought up to pitch?
Additionally, in the peg box, is the string contacting another string or another peg between its own peg and the nut? It shouldn't, of course.
Thanks again, lazyhound. The nut is fine. It's possible that the string was hitting the edge of the e string in the pegbox, although I kind of doubt that too because I just changed the strings and didn't notice anything. But I will double-check. Can't be too careful!
if your string is breaking in the pegbox, it is catching oneither the nut or the bridge...the only 2 contact points other than the tailpeice, but the tailpiece is not the problem.
usually, if the bridge is not allowing the string to slide through the "grooves", the whole bridge will lean towards the neck as you retune, but if 3 of the strings are sliding over the bridge, and the 4th (in this case your A) is not, then it will snap...try a little graphite on your bridge, and also when you change strings a little on the nut is always helpful...can never hurt
I have personally tried different sets of strings - very expensive practice - and every time it's back to dominant for me. Other strings (evah pirazzi, pirastro synoxa, helicore, thomastick vision) are or too bright, or too dull, or too tense, or too metallic. You just can't go wrong with Dominant: they are half way between bright and dark, average tension, easy to play... I won't leave them anymore, my purse doesn't allow me
strings - the age old discussion
strings - the age old discussion
ok we all have this discussion time to time, what do people recommend for a fiddle with the voice similar to a viola, deep loud, rich. Not shrill, bright or harsh by any means.
I want to retain the rich warm voice but bring out the warmth more. Any recommendations?
Keep in mind a. I will need to buy these from online, B I live in the consumer backblocks on a global scale.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Joze
Re: strings - the age old discussion
tomastic dominants.
They feel kind of baggy if you are used to crisper strings and take a little more effort to control. But well worth it I reckon. They also vibrate bigger, so require a more classical action height.
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by ...
Re: strings - the age old discussion
thats what I use now,
I think chocolate is a good analogy....
Dominants are belgian chocolate, I aspire to handmade belgian chocolate .
*grin*
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by Joze
Re: strings - the age old discussion
maybe your fiddle is, "deep loud, rich. Not shrill, bright or harsh by any means" because you use tomastic dominants?
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by ...
Re: strings - the age old discussion
Dominants are okay, not really my favorite. Tomastic makes these really great ones that they call the "blues" and "reds"..I personally like blues but the reds have a darker sound (if they work as well as the blues)
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by possumawesome
Re: strings - the age old discussion
My fiddle kind of fits that description and I used to have Dominants, but now I have Tonicas with a Lenzner Goldbrokat E string (not my idea! the violin shop suggested them). It definitely focused the sound and sweetened it a bit. And Tonicas aren't that expensive, either. They took about a week to settle in, and they still sound good after almost four months, so I'm happy.
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by kennedy
Re: strings - the age old discussion
I was using Obligatos but recently switched to John Pearse Artiste 3500.
My violin has a "dark-ish" sound and the Obligato's seemed to strangle it. With the John Pearse it has a rich open sound. I like the Pearse strings very much and as a bonus they're cheaper than the Obligatos.
Mary
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by Antikhntr
Re: strings - the age old discussion
thanks guys
no fiddle is naturally rich deep and dark, strings compliment it, although the strings that are on it now are good I want to take it to a new level. In a basic sound comparison it is very similar to the one Liz Carrol uses on her cds in voice - without studio or pickup help.
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by Joze
Re: strings - the age old discussion
sheesh- my..not no. Must not get distracted while typing posts by children wanting money.
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by Joze
Re: strings - the age old discussion
I have tried the Infeld Reds mentioned by possumawesome. I'm play Evah Pirazzi's right now. I'm not hearing anything dramatically different than Dominants, and I think I might go back to them for the sake of cost. I've seen them as low as $28 USD at some websites.
Are there any steel string players out there? Just curious? How about the E string? Do you stay with the hole package are swap out the E with something else?
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by nofrets
Re: strings - the age old discussion
For the last few months I've been using Thomastic Vision Titaniums on both my fiddles (a 200 year old, and a 5 year old). They're stable in tuning, with a smooth rich tone, and settled in well after a few days. The E, in particular, really sings. I was advised to go for the "Titanium" rather than the regular Visions. No sign of wear - and I do a reasonable amount of playing on both fiddles. I don't see any reason at present to change them for anything else.
An important factor on the tone of the fiddle, which many players do not appreciate, is the bow. I have four bows that I've gradually acquired over the years, and each one gives a different tone and volume of sound. One, the heavier c/f bow, will bring out the lower frequencies well; another, an old pernabuco bow which came with the old fiddle, is very light and gives a smooth velvety sound with less hiss than the others; the third, a newish pernambuco bow, brightens the tone; and the lighter c/f bow is the most powerful of the lot if you really want to make yourself heard. They all respond well.
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by Trevor Jennings
Re: strings - the age old discussion
I've been playing Prim mediums for about thirty years. They're steel. I don't like the feel of synth-core strings - or any slack string - under the bow and I have to work too hard to stay in the narrower sweet spot for the tone I like. It's hard to say how much of my preference is just what works with my particular two fiddles or with my playing. The Prim E is weak, so I always replace it with something else - anything is better. I give my Prim E's to a friend who uses them to tone down the brash high end of her fiddle.
It always comes down to trying different sets. Horses for courses. Or is it "A horse is a horse of course, of course,,,"?
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by Bob himself
Re: strings - the age old discussion
I hear you lazy hound on the bows I have discovered the same thing, oddly enough people comment that my bow of preference is too light for their taste. I have one of those fiddles that people mistake for a viola on a regular basis. Anything that signifies warm and bright generally translates into shrill and tinny. Its unforgiving of mistakes and does not need a pickup.
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by Joze
Re: strings - the age old discussion
Surprised no one mentioned d'Addario Helicores yet, they used to be a favourite on this site (while Dominants were judged rather negative, especially because they wear out that fast). Been playing on Helicores for more than 5 years now, never wanted to change since. They are steel strings and in my opinion they feel smoother and sound much warmer than the average steel string. Stay in tune easily, long life.
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by Henk Bos
Re: strings - the age old discussion
if you like the sound of your fiddle now, but want a fine tune, change your e-string. I don't know what you are currently using, but what works well with Dominants is the Wondertone Gold Label (my fav setup) or the Jargar Forte.
If you want handmade chocolate, go with Eudoxas. Now they are problematic in that they are a gut core, and there are not many ITM musicians who use them because you may have to re-tune once or twice during your session. They really are my favorite string, but I still use Dominants b/c of the stability. Eudoxa also has a nice wound E string.
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by Sunnybear
Re: strings - the age old discussion
I've got a lot of things to say about this.
Strings have changed a lot over the past 20 years, and dominants are definitely old tech. I know a lot of people are attached to them, and that's fine, but the tone breaks on them at a lower volume than other strings, they take a long time to wear in (they sound very metallic for longer than other strings), and they go false (weak, empty, hollow) in sound sooner than other strings. That said, if you love them, keep them. My favorites, based on application:
Evah Pizzari - this is what I buy when I don't care about money. They feel really good under the fingers (no, really) and have a lovely, rich, powerful tone.
Zyex - when I care about money or have to play outside a lot, I put these on. Almost as good as Evahs, they have a brighter tone with less bottom. When I play outside in 100+ weather and humidity (yay Midwest), they seem to endure better than Evah Pirazzis, but I don't have really rigorous evidence of this.
Helicore - what I'd recommend for those looking for a darker sound of of their fiddles, also a pretty good viola string.
Corelli - what to use if you're looking for (much) brighter sounds. Kind of weirdly stiff, but some people like that - I'd rather take it easy on my left hand.
Vision Titanium - they're pretty cool, not terribly different than Evah Pirazzis, but generally more expensive.
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by reenactor
Re: strings - the age old discussion
I've had a set of Evah Pirazzis with the gold E string on my fiddle for over a year now and they still sound great. I play/practice everyday someitmes for hours and rarely do I have to retune. Someone mention choclate eariler, the Evahs are like Godiva liquor, Dark ,rich and intoxicating. Expensive sure, but worth it.
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by Pirate-Fiddler
Re: strings - the age old discussion
Liz Carroll (last I checked) uses Tonica's. So did John Carty when he was over in December.
I find Tonicas reasonably warm, and very responsive, but they don't have much volume/power. If you're playing into microphones, this matters less than when you're playing in a noisy pub where the more focused tone and cleaner response of steel strings cuts through the sonic muck better than synthetic strings do.
Helicores are steel strings with a layer of damping resin in them. The result is a string with great response time (for cleaner rolls and such), but not as harsh sounding as a conventional steel string. They sound like you're playing on the other side of a thin curtain. It's a compromise, but an acceptable one, IMHO.
I really like helicores for session playing (I use the heavy-tension ones for stronger/sweeter tone at the expense of more muscle to play them), but I'm starting to find them a bit harsh for concert-playing. I'm thinking of switching one of my fiddles to Tonicas for quieter performances.
In my own, non-scientific, mental survey that I've been conducting for the last few years: Most of the Irish fiddlers I know use steel strings over synthetic, with them being heavily favored in the North of Ireland (Helicore, Spirocore & DrTomastik are the popular ones I've seen), and giving up some ground to Dominants and their ilk in the south (Clare/East-Galway in particular).
Eva Pirazzis, Infelds (red/blue), and Zyex seem to be popular amongst the recovering classical violinists (speaking as one myself) who have come to be tired of Dominants, but can't get into the harsher sound of steel... But I haven't seen enough of them around sessions and concerts to acknowledge any real triaction (Brian Conway and Seamus Connolly are two exceptions that spring to mind).
To each their own.
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by Georgi
Re: strings - the age old discussion
Oh, and yes I agree that Dominants are "old tech".
I think Evas, Zyex, and Infelds are better; but most violinists out there don't fuss too much over it, and tend to continue buying what they've been playing on for years, which seems to be overwhelmingly "Dominants".
On top of that, shops know that Dominants are popular, so if they're going to stock only one kind of fiddle string (a matter of priorities), that's often what they will buy.
It's really easy to blow wads of cash experimenting with different strings, and (IMHO) not really that worth it. I've done it myself. Playing fiddle is as much about working with difficulties with your body and instrument as anything. There's no such thing as a "perfect string" anyway. Strings and fiddles change with the weather, and nothing stays constant for very long.
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by Georgi
Re: strings - the age old discussion
I had corelli crystals for a while. I know alot of people who do who play tradtional. They are good I wouldnt have anything against them. Help to give a warm sound I feel.
I use Thomastik Dominants at the moment. Infeld Blue and Reds which help to give it a brighter sound or a dimmer [ stuck for a word there! ]. I also have a p*ssastro [ something like that ], havent got round to using it yet but I have been told it gives a sweeter sound, especially on the E.
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by creathana
Re: strings - the age old discussion
Aren't fiddles "old tech"?
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by ...
Re: strings - the age old discussion
> Aren't fiddles "old tech"?
Heh. good point. But I'll keep my helicores, Pirazzis, and Tonicas, thank you. ;)
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by Georgi
Re: strings - the age old discussion
*grins* fiddles are very old tech. But the chinrest on my fiddle isn't too old, and the shoulder rest is very new tech, and so is the carbon fiber bow.
It's not too expensive to experiment with different string sets - you have to replace strings eventually! - and if you're having a hard time finding a particular variety, look online at some place like swstrings.com . In that vein, I'll have to check out the Tonicas - never tried 'em
# Posted on April 14th 2007 by reenactor
Re: strings - the age old discussion
I appreciate all the discussion and I want to add something which could be of much importance. Our climate as a nation is very similar to Ireland with a dash of Florida thrown in further north. I know a lot of people have mentioned that the strings they use hold up to the heat well. What about 0 - 10c temperatures and 95% humidity?
I am personally lucky as my fiddle stays eerily in tune regardless of what type of strings on it.
# Posted on April 14th 2007 by Joze
Re: strings - the age old discussion
ok..now that you should be thoroughly confised, here is a nice review on strings with
some good common sense
http://www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm?ID=6346
granted, it is from a "classical" perspective, but noise is noise, ehh?
Coming from someone who has been "around the world" in search of tone and sound, here are my personal (and biased) opinions....
the new Vision strings are powerful, but sound a bit artificial
Evahs are too high tension as are most new strings..they are trying to make up for "progress" and "inovation" (read "marketing") for what can be lacking in either technique or fiddle.
Obligatos are for violins with problems.
Tonicas are nice.
Synoxas are a bit brighter than Tonicas
Corellis sorta are not good
Dominant came out with the benchmark, and they still are. Everybody compares their string to what a Dominant sounds like. THey are an easy choice, and lets face it...we all want something to "fiddle" with, and we are stuck to "fiddling" with strngs and rosin.
Save some heartache...Dominants with Gold label E or Jargar Forte, or if you want the hassle, Eudoxas with the D'Addario E.
my opinion
# Posted on April 14th 2007 by Sunnybear
Re: strings - the age old discussion
"confused"
"innovation"
sorry
# Posted on April 14th 2007 by Sunnybear
Re: strings - the age old discussion
here's a string comparison for you---my Tonica D broke this morning (grrrrr) so I had to replace it with my old Dominant D. They even look different---the Dominant is almost twice the diameter of the Tonica. It also doesn't tune as easily, is noticeably louder, and how do I describe this - it would be easier if I were a better player - it's harder to get a nice tone out of it. It feels thicker and more sluggish under my finger and it doesn't respond the way the Tonica strings do.
Now I have to wait all the way until Monday until the violin shop opens again to buy a new set of strings...
# Posted on April 14th 2007 by kennedy
Re: strings - the age old discussion
I can heartily reccommend Larsen strings. They now make a steel core A string which really works with the perlon core D and G. This way you seem to get the best of both worlds - the fast response on the top two strings combined with the superior tone of the synthetics on the bass side. Mixing steel ans synthetic core in the same set rarely works well, but these have been designrd to work together. I've never used larsen E strings (I always use Thomastik Superflex) so i can't comment, but I've found the Larsens to be better than anything else around at the moment. They are very expensive, but practically indestructible.
# Posted on April 14th 2007 by Bazfaz
Re: strings - the age old discussion
oh yeah..forgot about Larsens..nice strings, those.
I want to try their new Tzigane sometime....
# Posted on April 14th 2007 by Sunnybear
Re: strings - the age old discussion
Hey, Joze,
I live in the consumer backwoods also. I always used to use Pirastro Chromcors, but when the music shop where they ordered them in jest fer me closed down, I had to go to the ONLY other music shop and my last purchase was of the only Thomastik-Infeld - Precision set they had in the shop. Now even they are gone, so, I too am having to look to the internet (much cheaper too, although we are urged to use local businesses so they don't, like the other music shop, go out of business). Looking up on online strings sites, it seems that Precisions are sometimes played by folk musicians. Whoopy!! I want something different/better, of course, myself - but don't know that I can risk the new synthetic Thomastik blue/red or the Larsons, as I'm not in a position to experiment - what I buy will have to do the job for a long time, that's all there is about it. Ebay Australia only has dirt cheap (and I presume horribubble) strings listed, along with a plethora of cheap new fiddle outfits with "antique" varnish. I wonder anyone would buy them. There used to be some good violin strings on offer, but not any more - I guess they didn't get enough takers, either.
Oh, to be able to walk into a music shop and give things a try. When you decide, please, please, please, let me know what you got and how you are getting on with them.
Cheers
Jan
# Posted on April 14th 2007 by Clear Drops
Re: strings - the age old discussion
Broken string update - my old Dominant D string broke about 3 hours after I put it on (in the very same place as the Tonica D broke - very strange!), so I had no choice but to go string shopping. I bought a new set of trusty Tonicas and and Wondertone E and everything is fine and dandy - the Tonicas feel great and the Wondertone is lovely and sweet. I also bought a set of Larsens (on recommendation from this thread!) but couldn't get it on my fiddle because the string wrapping on the tail end is so thick that it doesn't fit into the tail piece (I don't have G D A fine tuners and the ball end has to fit into the slot in the tail piece). So now I have to bring them back. I'm kind of disappointed - I wanted to hear what they sound like!
# Posted on April 15th 2007 by kennedy
Re: strings - the age old discussion
Kennedy, if the strings keep breaking at either the nut or the bridge then I'd take a very close look at how the string passes through the groove. There should be no sharp edges, and the groove should be kept well-lubricated with pencil graphite. If the breakages are consistently where you place your fingers, then I'd check out your finger nails - the oldest suspects in the book.
You know what they say - once is an accident, twice is coincidence, three times is enemy action!
# Posted on April 15th 2007 by Trevor Jennings
Re: strings - the age old discussion
Ha! Thanks for the tip, lazyhound---it's a good guess on what happened, but both strings broke just below the peg, but far enough up from the nut that I know that wasn't what did it. It didn't happen as I was tuning, either---both times I put the fiddle in the case and then opened the case to see a broken string. Really weird.
# Posted on April 15th 2007 by kennedy
Re: strings - the age old discussion
Kennedy, a couple of thoughts.
Is it possible that when you put the string on and wind up the peg, it is being dragged over some roughness in the groove, making the string weak in one region, and that region then ends up between the peg and the nut as the string is brought up to pitch?
Additionally, in the peg box, is the string contacting another string or another peg between its own peg and the nut? It shouldn't, of course.
# Posted on April 15th 2007 by Trevor Jennings
Re: strings - the age old discussion
Thanks again, lazyhound. The nut is fine. It's possible that the string was hitting the edge of the e string in the pegbox, although I kind of doubt that too because I just changed the strings and didn't notice anything. But I will double-check. Can't be too careful!
# Posted on April 15th 2007 by kennedy
Re: strings - the age old discussion
if your string is breaking in the pegbox, it is catching oneither the nut or the bridge...the only 2 contact points other than the tailpeice, but the tailpiece is not the problem.
usually, if the bridge is not allowing the string to slide through the "grooves", the whole bridge will lean towards the neck as you retune, but if 3 of the strings are sliding over the bridge, and the 4th (in this case your A) is not, then it will snap...try a little graphite on your bridge, and also when you change strings a little on the nut is always helpful...can never hurt
# Posted on April 15th 2007 by Sunnybear
Re: strings - the age old discussion
I have personally tried different sets of strings - very expensive practice - and every time it's back to dominant for me. Other strings (evah pirazzi, pirastro synoxa, helicore, thomastick vision) are or too bright, or too dull, or too tense, or too metallic. You just can't go wrong with Dominant: they are half way between bright and dark, average tension, easy to play... I won't leave them anymore, my purse doesn't allow me
# Posted on November 16th 2009 by edael