I think this has been covered before, twice by me!. As a result of my posting I now use D'addario helicore medium. I am very please with the sound. I went back to Domminant a while back for about a week. I play for a barn dance group and have my fiddle electrified, the dominants produced some most perculiar noises. The D'addario respond well to electrification.
If you're not electrified it has to be Dominants, just for that mellow tone they have, you have to be prepared to change them more often though as they seem to have a tendency to unwind (and it's always at the B on the A string for me).
P.S. I think you'd want to get that crack under your tale-piece seen to first...
I just got through a set of D'addario Zyex heavy tensions, they're good & loud but they aren't very responsive. My next set is the Helicore's (the heavy tension ones). They have all the strong points that the Zyex have & they're also lightning quick.
I used to like dominants but I go through them like rugroll. If they don't come unravelled, they're tone goes completely dead after a month. That's add$ up quick.
On my new fiddle, I went from Obligato's to Helicore. Obligato's were too loud. Helicore's warmed it up nicely. They've since gone flat and I've just replaced them with Thomastik Infeld red. I love the response and warm tone of these synthetic strings. I've also
tried the Zyex on my older fiddle and didn't like them. They seemed as thick as rope.
You might like Pirastro Synoxa strings. I think they produce a bright, vibrant sound - but sweet with it. They don't work out too expensive per set either. I think they're much nicer sounding than Dominants.
A few months ago my old German fiddle also needed a split in the belly just under the tail-piece seen to. This isn't uncommon in older instruments and is usually caused by differential expansion between the wood of the belly and the harder wood (usually ebony) of the saddle, due perhaps to changes in temperature and/or humidity. This sort of split often propagates specifically from the corner of the saddle up towards the bridge, that corner being a stress point, as engineers will know.
And yes, richrua, it's expensive to have done - not only removing and reglueing with internal buttons over the split, but replacing and setting up everything as it should be, including the soundpost. This takes time, and my repairer told me he likes to have a few hours completely uninterrupted to do the job properly, so the major cost of the repair is skilled craftsman labour.
Anyway, it was now time for a change of strings, so I chose Obligato, which I already use on my cello, and which I know about from one or two semi-pro fiddlers in Bristol and several classical violinists. Then I discovered that it was not a good idea to have good composition core strings on one fiddle and metal core strings (oldish Helicor) on my modern second fiddle. The feel and response of the two very different types of string is too much when you're swapping frequently from one fiddle to the other, so I've installed Obligatos on my Jay Haide (the Helicors were getting tired anyway), and all is now well.
If wound strings have a tendency to unravel, especially at a particular point on the string, it's a good idea to check that fingernails aren't contacting the string when playing, and that the string isn't being pressed down hard into contact with the fingerboard. It's rarely necessary to have full string contact with the fingerboard, and not having it makes for easier, more fluid finger action, as well as minimising string wear. Also, make sure that the grooves at the nut and the bridge are properly shaped, smooth, and dry-lubricated, e.g. with a soft-lead pencil.
On a previous string thread, I mentioned that I would be trying a set of D'Addario Zyex. Can't remember now whether I ever reported back on them, so here's my $0.02.
Didn't like them at all. Sounded "scrapy" compared to the Pirastro Obligatos or Evah Pirazzis I'm used to, and as they settled in they became muddy.
Now that's just me on my fiddle, and someone else could get better results. But I took the Zyex off after just 12 days and went back to those Pirazzi's. They're the best I've found so far for my tastes.
Also, to prevent wearing the wrapping off, I use an emery board to smooth the callouses on my fingertips everytime before I play--just a couple of swipes to knock down any rough skin that would add friction to the string. It also helps remove any rosin that might have landed on your left fingers while dusting up the bow (rosin will stop a left-hand slide or adjustment for intonation dead in its tracks). That said, I gave up on Dominants because the A strings in particular just disintegrate, no matter how you pamper them. Besides, on my fiddle, the Pirazzis, Obligatos, or Helicores sound better.
Oh yeah, and by the way, Will, I meant to ask...does your local music store have an extra set of the Pirazzi's? I could use a new set; the old ones are starting to leave black marks on my fingers...way past time for a change, I think...
I'll check and let you know tomorrow. They usually keep them in stock. We've got all the local classical players using them now, too.
But the black marks...I get those all the time, even with new strings. I just thought is was the dye on my plastic fingerboard....? Or skid marks from my inebriated intonation
Huh...well, mine only recently started doing it, Will, so I figured it meant it was time to replace, since it's been...er...well, I guess that was...last Christmas...
I use Dominants on my acoustic fiddle, and also on the electric Yamaha SV-120. The Corelli Crystal strings are nice too, although they have a softer tone and less volume.
Slightly different subject but still releated, oraghalm mentioned about strings unwinding - no disrespect, but are fingernails *really* short? In my early days of playing that's what caused the string damage without my realising it!
Yip, Jim, those fingernails are always kept really short, a combination of my Da's constant examinations when I was a kid to make sure I looked at least some way presentable (that's probably the only thing that stuck...), and years of guitar playing too have ensured my nails are always trimmed.
As for the black marks a few people mentioned, I recently got a new fiddle which was fitted with D'addario Helicore strings when I got it, they didn't blacken my fingers at all, but I didn't like the way they sounded so I went back to the Dominants which always leave my fingers blackened.
Will, muddy is a good description for Zyex. Although it depends on the temperment of the fiddle itself. My friend, who is a top notch fiddler, loves them on one of his five fiddle but uses Heli's
as well as others on the rest.
Brad, Will gave them 12 days and I gave them 2. I just couldn't take the sound long enough to wait for the settlement!!
How about PRIM mediums ? I have used these for years, and havn't tried anything else. They sound great for me, however, how would these compare to Dominants ? any ideas ?
I too have the black fingertip syndrome. I believe any aluminum wound string combined with some acidity from the fingers cause it. In addition I find Tomastic dominant A strings last me 3 weeks before becoming unwound (I've been keeping a log). Have switched to another brand with the same result but better tone. Again the deal is aluminum windings are weak and very thin on the A string. I avoid metal core strings to baby my homebuilt fiddles (They require more tension) so am looking for any synthetic core string with non aluminum windings on the A string. Suggestions solicited!
Mike, a lot of people have the same problem with the Dominant A strings. I switched to Pirastro Evah Pirrazis and found they last much longer (months instead of weeks), plus they sound better than the Dominants, on my fiddle at least. I don't know whether the wrap is aluminum or not, but the core is synthetic--a very nice string, silky feel on the fingers while playing, good volume and great warm tone.
I switched to d'addario a while back and got better sound but not much better longevity. Checking the Piastros it looks like 4 times the price so they might not really last longer $ for $. They also are aluminum wound.
Actually Mike, I've had a set of the Pirrazi's on for up to 8-10 months at a stretch with no unwrapping. Never got that kind of durability out of Dominants. Of course, I've also had Pirrazis unravel after a couple of months of hard playing. Sometimes you get a lemon. But their tone, feel, and responsiveness are worth the extra cost to me (I pay about $45US a set, compared to $25US for Dominants or $35US for Helicore).
I don't know whether I'm lucky or what, but I've only ever had one string unravel on me in my life, and that was a Dominant A on my cello. However, even the best strings will get "tired" after a few months of regular playing and their performance will gradually deteriorate, but unfortunately at a rate that isn't usually obvious to the player.
It's probably a good idea to change strings on a regular basis, say every 6 months (a depressing prospect for the cellist with the price of good strings being what they are!), much as components in an aircraft engine are replaced when they have done so many hours flying time, even if the wear isn't noticeable.
Trevor
Fiddle Strings
Fiddle Strings
Ok - this is always down to personal choice, but it's time I changed my strings, and I was wondering what the most popular might be?
# Posted on July 29th 2003 by richrua
Re: Fiddle Strings
I think this has been covered before, twice by me!. As a result of my posting I now use D'addario helicore medium. I am very please with the sound. I went back to Domminant a while back for about a week. I play for a barn dance group and have my fiddle electrified, the dominants produced some most perculiar noises. The D'addario respond well to electrification.
# Posted on July 29th 2003 by Daver
Re: Fiddle Strings
If you're not electrified it has to be Dominants, just for that mellow tone they have, you have to be prepared to change them more often though as they seem to have a tendency to unwind (and it's always at the B on the A string for me).
P.S. I think you'd want to get that crack under your tale-piece seen to first...
# Posted on July 29th 2003 by oraghalm
Re: Fiddle Strings
I just got through a set of D'addario Zyex heavy tensions, they're good & loud but they aren't very responsive. My next set is the Helicore's (the heavy tension ones). They have all the strong points that the Zyex have & they're also lightning quick.
I used to like dominants but I go through them like rugroll. If they don't come unravelled, they're tone goes completely dead after a month. That's add$ up quick.
# Posted on July 30th 2003 by Mad Baloney
Re: Fiddle Strings
Yeah I must have that oul crack seen to. I presume it would involve removing and reglueing. It's all about the money, as the song goes.
Cursai.
# Posted on July 30th 2003 by richrua
Re: Fiddle Strings
On my new fiddle, I went from Obligato's to Helicore. Obligato's were too loud. Helicore's warmed it up nicely. They've since gone flat and I've just replaced them with Thomastik Infeld red. I love the response and warm tone of these synthetic strings. I've also
tried the Zyex on my older fiddle and didn't like them. They seemed as thick as rope.
Best of luck!
Rgb
# Posted on July 30th 2003 by Robby B.
Re: Fiddle Strings
You might like Pirastro Synoxa strings. I think they produce a bright, vibrant sound - but sweet with it. They don't work out too expensive per set either. I think they're much nicer sounding than Dominants.
Angela
# Posted on July 30th 2003 by Greenrush
Re: Fiddle Strings
A few months ago my old German fiddle also needed a split in the belly just under the tail-piece seen to. This isn't uncommon in older instruments and is usually caused by differential expansion between the wood of the belly and the harder wood (usually ebony) of the saddle, due perhaps to changes in temperature and/or humidity. This sort of split often propagates specifically from the corner of the saddle up towards the bridge, that corner being a stress point, as engineers will know.
And yes, richrua, it's expensive to have done - not only removing and reglueing with internal buttons over the split, but replacing and setting up everything as it should be, including the soundpost. This takes time, and my repairer told me he likes to have a few hours completely uninterrupted to do the job properly, so the major cost of the repair is skilled craftsman labour.
Anyway, it was now time for a change of strings, so I chose Obligato, which I already use on my cello, and which I know about from one or two semi-pro fiddlers in Bristol and several classical violinists. Then I discovered that it was not a good idea to have good composition core strings on one fiddle and metal core strings (oldish Helicor) on my modern second fiddle. The feel and response of the two very different types of string is too much when you're swapping frequently from one fiddle to the other, so I've installed Obligatos on my Jay Haide (the Helicors were getting tired anyway), and all is now well.
A useful site for comparing different types and makes of strings is
http://www.ifshinviolins.com/strings.html
If wound strings have a tendency to unravel, especially at a particular point on the string, it's a good idea to check that fingernails aren't contacting the string when playing, and that the string isn't being pressed down hard into contact with the fingerboard. It's rarely necessary to have full string contact with the fingerboard, and not having it makes for easier, more fluid finger action, as well as minimising string wear. Also, make sure that the grooves at the nut and the bridge are properly shaped, smooth, and dry-lubricated, e.g. with a soft-lead pencil.
Trevor
# Posted on July 30th 2003 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Fiddle Strings
On a previous string thread, I mentioned that I would be trying a set of D'Addario Zyex. Can't remember now whether I ever reported back on them, so here's my $0.02.
Didn't like them at all. Sounded "scrapy" compared to the Pirastro Obligatos or Evah Pirazzis I'm used to, and as they settled in they became muddy.
Now that's just me on my fiddle, and someone else could get better results. But I took the Zyex off after just 12 days and went back to those Pirazzi's. They're the best I've found so far for my tastes.
Also, to prevent wearing the wrapping off, I use an emery board to smooth the callouses on my fingertips everytime before I play--just a couple of swipes to knock down any rough skin that would add friction to the string. It also helps remove any rosin that might have landed on your left fingers while dusting up the bow (rosin will stop a left-hand slide or adjustment for intonation dead in its tracks). That said, I gave up on Dominants because the A strings in particular just disintegrate, no matter how you pamper them. Besides, on my fiddle, the Pirazzis, Obligatos, or Helicores sound better.
# Posted on July 30th 2003 by Will Harmon
Re: Fiddle Strings
Oh yeah, and by the way, Will, I meant to ask...does your local music store have an extra set of the Pirazzi's? I could use a new set; the old ones are starting to leave black marks on my fingers...way past time for a change, I think...
# Posted on July 30th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Fiddle Strings
I'll check and let you know tomorrow. They usually keep them in stock. We've got all the local classical players using them now, too.
But the black marks...I get those all the time, even with new strings. I just thought is was the dye on my plastic fingerboard....? Or skid marks from my inebriated intonation
# Posted on July 30th 2003 by Will Harmon
Re: Fiddle Strings
Huh...well, mine only recently started doing it, Will, so I figured it meant it was time to replace, since it's been...er...well, I guess that was...last Christmas...
# Posted on July 30th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Fiddle Strings
I use Dominants on my acoustic fiddle, and also on the electric Yamaha SV-120. The Corelli Crystal strings are nice too, although they have a softer tone and less volume.
Slightly different subject but still releated, oraghalm mentioned about strings unwinding - no disrespect, but are fingernails *really* short? In my early days of playing that's what caused the string damage without my realising it!
Jim
# Posted on July 30th 2003 by Worldfiddler
Re: Fiddle Strings
Yip, Jim, those fingernails are always kept really short, a combination of my Da's constant examinations when I was a kid to make sure I looked at least some way presentable (that's probably the only thing that stuck...), and years of guitar playing too have ensured my nails are always trimmed.
As for the black marks a few people mentioned, I recently got a new fiddle which was fitted with D'addario Helicore strings when I got it, they didn't blacken my fingers at all, but I didn't like the way they sounded so I went back to the Dominants which always leave my fingers blackened.
# Posted on July 30th 2003 by oraghalm
Re: Fiddle Strings
The Zyex strings need to settle into the instrument it takes about 2 weeks.
# Posted on July 31st 2003 by Mad Baloney
Re: Fiddle Strings
Will, muddy is a good description for Zyex. Although it depends on the temperment of the fiddle itself. My friend, who is a top notch fiddler, loves them on one of his five fiddle but uses Heli's
as well as others on the rest.
Brad, Will gave them 12 days and I gave them 2. I just couldn't take the sound long enough to wait for the settlement!!
G'day
# Posted on July 31st 2003 by Robby B.
Re: Fiddle Strings
How about PRIM mediums ? I have used these for years, and havn't tried anything else. They sound great for me, however, how would these compare to Dominants ? any ideas ?
# Posted on August 5th 2003 by Ann
Re: Fiddle Strings
I like a darker sound, and the Prims on my fiddle sound way too bright and hard edged. But that's on my fiddle and in my ears. Might be diff in yours.
# Posted on August 5th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Fiddle Strings
I too have the black fingertip syndrome. I believe any aluminum wound string combined with some acidity from the fingers cause it. In addition I find Tomastic dominant A strings last me 3 weeks before becoming unwound (I've been keeping a log). Have switched to another brand with the same result but better tone. Again the deal is aluminum windings are weak and very thin on the A string. I avoid metal core strings to baby my homebuilt fiddles (They require more tension) so am looking for any synthetic core string with non aluminum windings on the A string. Suggestions solicited!
Mike
# Posted on August 6th 2003 by mhebb
Re: Fiddle Strings
Mike, a lot of people have the same problem with the Dominant A strings. I switched to Pirastro Evah Pirrazis and found they last much longer (months instead of weeks), plus they sound better than the Dominants, on my fiddle at least. I don't know whether the wrap is aluminum or not, but the core is synthetic--a very nice string, silky feel on the fingers while playing, good volume and great warm tone.
# Posted on August 6th 2003 by Will Harmon
Re: Fiddle Strings
I switched to d'addario a while back and got better sound but not much better longevity. Checking the Piastros it looks like 4 times the price so they might not really last longer $ for $. They also are aluminum wound.
# Posted on August 6th 2003 by mhebb
Re: Fiddle Strings
Actually Mike, I've had a set of the Pirrazi's on for up to 8-10 months at a stretch with no unwrapping. Never got that kind of durability out of Dominants. Of course, I've also had Pirrazis unravel after a couple of months of hard playing. Sometimes you get a lemon. But their tone, feel, and responsiveness are worth the extra cost to me (I pay about $45US a set, compared to $25US for Dominants or $35US for Helicore).
# Posted on August 6th 2003 by Will Harmon
Re: Fiddle Strings
I don't know whether I'm lucky or what, but I've only ever had one string unravel on me in my life, and that was a Dominant A on my cello. However, even the best strings will get "tired" after a few months of regular playing and their performance will gradually deteriorate, but unfortunately at a rate that isn't usually obvious to the player.
It's probably a good idea to change strings on a regular basis, say every 6 months (a depressing prospect for the cellist with the price of good strings being what they are!), much as components in an aircraft engine are replaced when they have done so many hours flying time, even if the wear isn't noticeable.
Trevor
# Posted on August 6th 2003 by Trevor Jennings