It may be obvious and I know that you get what you pay for but I'm looking to put a good set of strings on my fiddle and I know diddley squat about them. Up to now its been cheap strings and good enough but if I'm going to spend what seems like an extortionate amount, compared to guitar and mandolin, for strings I'd like to have some kind of opinion on the various makes/types and as I don't have one I be pleased to borrow someone elses.
DaveT.
There are two types, steel core and synthetic core.Steel are cheaper and brighter(harsh depending on the fiddle)lots of trad players prefer these for their quick response.Helicore are very popular and are a good string.As regards synthetic core Dominants are very popular amoung classical players(I don't why)in my experience Larsens are by far tha best strings on the market very expensive(£40-£50) but worth it if you can afford them(they also last an eternity.)If you put these on your fiddle you will never put cheap strings on again.
ps Prim are a very good and reasonably priced steel core.
I haven’t taken the dive into premium strings (yet), but I’ve been happy with Prim mediums for a long time. The only issue I have with them is that the E string is weak. I’ve replaced it with various substitutes and every one sounded better than the original.
I'm no fiddle expert, but with most stringed instruments it comes down to matching the string to the instrument. I have a friend who takes my Prim E strings to tone down the harsh high end of her fiddle.
I use Warchal Brilliants. They're relatively new on the market but they do exactly what they say on the tin... they're brilliant; really responsive, sweet tone but gutsy enough for fiddling, even though they're intended for the top classical players. They last as well, which is a big factor for me. They're pricy enough (but less than Larsens, and infinitely better in my experience) but they're very very definitely worth it. Warchal also do a couple of other types that are less expensive. I've not tried any of the others but I've heard from various fiddlers that they're very good as well.
Traditionally steel strings were more popular for their responsiveness and 'snappiness', but now synthetic core strings are equally responsive. I've found that they last longer as well, have a bit more power and are more pleasant to play all together. They're just as gutsy as well, you can dig in and scratch away and they don't just roll over and die like all the steels I tried did! Especially on my fiddle, which has a naturally harsh tone, the synthetics have taken the overly harsh edge off it without lowering the volume or power.
But as Bob himself said, it comes down to the instrument. Unfortunately though, finding the right strings for your fiddle'll be an expensive business... and if you're really unlucky you'll settle on the most expensive type. ;)
I find a steel A and E can be a good combination because you get a good tonal transition when going from one string to another; and if you have that combination it's worth using good quality synthetic core G and D. Those lower synthetic strings will tend to have more natural resonance than steel G and D, and tend to have stronger harmonics which will resonate with a lot of what you're doing on the A and E - providing the strings are in tune and you're playing in tune .
Synthetic core G and D will tend to have a richer and more responsive tone than their steel-core counterparts.
I'm using this kind of string setup on both my fiddles and on my cello, and it works well.
I'm not going to recommend specific makes of strings because there are too many variables in the equation - the type of fiddle, its age, its tonal characteristics, its setup, what sort of music you play, the playing environment (session, concert platform, recording studio), your playing style, the sort of tone you prefer ... the list goes on. A chat with an experienced luthier should help, because these people see far more instrument/string combinations than the individual player is ever likely to come across.
Chat to other fiddlers and ask them what they use and take a look at their fiddles. Look at things like the string height off the fingerboard - some players like the bite and attack of a high action. One of my fiddles has a high action (and the bridge is quite low already) and it has Infield Reds on it and it doesn't like them - it would benefit from lower tension strings I think. The infield reds seem a bit hard. I'm really glad that the fiddle I like best of the ones I've got seems to be really happy with Dominants - no need to look further. I've tried Helicores (steel) on it and they sounded a bit thin, and I tried Prims (also steel) and they were OK for a while, but good old Dominants (perlon core) really seem best for it. The other fiddle I've got likes Obligatos - it's a big fiddle and Dominants are slightly too short for it. Oh and check out the websites for the string makers such as http://www.pirastro.com/ - very informative. Their new Wondertone string has the steel A and E combination that lazyhound is praising. It couldn't just have been the picture of Ella Haluk that made be buy Obligatos, could it? http://www.pirastro.com/_statements/btstate-ella-haluk.html
what acan of worms. 83 pages of threads. Ishould have looked. If I've got it right there are basically three kinds of strings - steel wound, synthetic core and gut. Of these the stelwound will be harsh bright and loud (comparatily) the gut mellow but unstable and the synthetic somewhere in between.
Then in between this there's a diffence in tone between various manufctures and individual ranges from one manufacturer. Any but not all of these strings may sound great on one particular fiddle and not another. So basically try it and see. I like the descriptions and endorsements for the obligatos so I shall try and get some and see. Thanks for the input.
(Why I didn't I take up the whistle)
DaveT.
DaveT, have a look at the very informative violin strings page of the Ifshin Violins website http://www.ifshinviolins.com/features_guide.html
Ifshin have been around a long time. They don't make strings, so may be expected to give a fair, unbiassed opinion.
Obligatos are lovely strings - When I first put them on I found it took about 3 days before their quality began to show. They must need to settle and stretch before they become stable.
I second the vote for Warchal Brilliants. I got a free sample set from Warchal. Previously, my favourite string was Obligato, but I wanted a quicker response. The Brilliants are similar to the Obligato, but more direct, more resonant and more responsive.
But as you will no doubt have heard many times, string choice is a very personal matter, so try out as many as possible. Some string companies will send you free sample sets.
I love the Warchal Amethyst even better than the Brilliant (although the latter sound very good!). The Amethyst have a very warm sound with an absolutely amazing bow response. I play scots fiddle and find them absolutely great for this type of music... I hope they last longer than the Brilliant, which went out of tune constantly after only six weeks of playing ...
I play for hours every day and gig or session most nights of the week, and I'm hard on my strings in my playing. All other types of strings I tried I had to put a new set on every month or just over. I had my last set of Brilliants on for four months. They were sounding pretty poorly by the end of it but I'd say they were good AND stable for at least three months.
Can anybody explain fiddle strings to me?
Can anybody explain fiddle strings to me?
It may be obvious and I know that you get what you pay for but I'm looking to put a good set of strings on my fiddle and I know diddley squat about them. Up to now its been cheap strings and good enough but if I'm going to spend what seems like an extortionate amount, compared to guitar and mandolin, for strings I'd like to have some kind of opinion on the various makes/types and as I don't have one I be pleased to borrow someone elses.
DaveT.
# Posted on June 23rd 2006 by Davetnova
Re: Can anybody explain fiddle strings to me?
Well, there are (from my readings) plenty of opinions/info on strings here.
Good start would be searching the site, so that those who contributed, don't have to write it all again ;)
Try this for many, many pages that may... repeat may be helpful
http://www.thesession.org/index.php/search?q=fiddle+strings&start=0&scope=The+Session
# Posted on June 23rd 2006 by philmoz
Re: Can anybody explain fiddle strings to me?
There are two types, steel core and synthetic core.Steel are cheaper and brighter(harsh depending on the fiddle)lots of trad players prefer these for their quick response.Helicore are very popular and are a good string.As regards synthetic core Dominants are very popular amoung classical players(I don't why)in my experience Larsens are by far tha best strings on the market very expensive(£40-£50) but worth it if you can afford them(they also last an eternity.)If you put these on your fiddle you will never put cheap strings on again.
ps Prim are a very good and reasonably priced steel core.
# Posted on June 23rd 2006 by doire
Re: Can anybody explain fiddle strings to me?
I haven’t taken the dive into premium strings (yet), but I’ve been happy with Prim mediums for a long time. The only issue I have with them is that the E string is weak. I’ve replaced it with various substitutes and every one sounded better than the original.
I'm no fiddle expert, but with most stringed instruments it comes down to matching the string to the instrument. I have a friend who takes my Prim E strings to tone down the harsh high end of her fiddle.
# Posted on June 23rd 2006 by Bob himself
Re: Can anybody explain fiddle strings to me?
I use Warchal Brilliants. They're relatively new on the market but they do exactly what they say on the tin... they're brilliant; really responsive, sweet tone but gutsy enough for fiddling, even though they're intended for the top classical players. They last as well, which is a big factor for me. They're pricy enough (but less than Larsens, and infinitely better in my experience) but they're very very definitely worth it. Warchal also do a couple of other types that are less expensive. I've not tried any of the others but I've heard from various fiddlers that they're very good as well.
Traditionally steel strings were more popular for their responsiveness and 'snappiness', but now synthetic core strings are equally responsive. I've found that they last longer as well, have a bit more power and are more pleasant to play all together. They're just as gutsy as well, you can dig in and scratch away and they don't just roll over and die like all the steels I tried did! Especially on my fiddle, which has a naturally harsh tone, the synthetics have taken the overly harsh edge off it without lowering the volume or power.
But as Bob himself said, it comes down to the instrument. Unfortunately though, finding the right strings for your fiddle'll be an expensive business... and if you're really unlucky you'll settle on the most expensive type. ;)
# Posted on June 23rd 2006 by tbag
Re: Can anybody explain fiddle strings to me?
I find a steel A and E can be a good combination because you get a good tonal transition when going from one string to another; and if you have that combination it's worth using good quality synthetic core G and D. Those lower synthetic strings will tend to have more natural resonance than steel G and D, and tend to have stronger harmonics which will resonate with a lot of what you're doing on the A and E - providing the strings are in tune and you're playing in tune
.
Synthetic core G and D will tend to have a richer and more responsive tone than their steel-core counterparts.
I'm using this kind of string setup on both my fiddles and on my cello, and it works well.
I'm not going to recommend specific makes of strings because there are too many variables in the equation - the type of fiddle, its age, its tonal characteristics, its setup, what sort of music you play, the playing environment (session, concert platform, recording studio), your playing style, the sort of tone you prefer ... the list goes on. A chat with an experienced luthier should help, because these people see far more instrument/string combinations than the individual player is ever likely to come across.
# Posted on June 24th 2006 by lazyhound
Re: Can anybody explain fiddle strings to me?
Chat to other fiddlers and ask them what they use and take a look at their fiddles. Look at things like the string height off the fingerboard - some players like the bite and attack of a high action. One of my fiddles has a high action (and the bridge is quite low already) and it has Infield Reds on it and it doesn't like them - it would benefit from lower tension strings I think. The infield reds seem a bit hard. I'm really glad that the fiddle I like best of the ones I've got seems to be really happy with Dominants - no need to look further. I've tried Helicores (steel) on it and they sounded a bit thin, and I tried Prims (also steel) and they were OK for a while, but good old Dominants (perlon core) really seem best for it. The other fiddle I've got likes Obligatos - it's a big fiddle and Dominants are slightly too short for it. Oh and check out the websites for the string makers such as http://www.pirastro.com/ - very informative. Their new Wondertone string has the steel A and E combination that lazyhound is praising. It couldn't just have been the picture of Ella Haluk that made be buy Obligatos, could it? http://www.pirastro.com/_statements/btstate-ella-haluk.html
# Posted on June 24th 2006 by RichardB
Re: Can anybody explain fiddle strings to me?
what acan of worms. 83 pages of threads. Ishould have looked. If I've got it right there are basically three kinds of strings - steel wound, synthetic core and gut. Of these the stelwound will be harsh bright and loud (comparatily) the gut mellow but unstable and the synthetic somewhere in between.
Then in between this there's a diffence in tone between various manufctures and individual ranges from one manufacturer. Any but not all of these strings may sound great on one particular fiddle and not another. So basically try it and see. I like the descriptions and endorsements for the obligatos so I shall try and get some and see. Thanks for the input.
(Why I didn't I take up the whistle)
DaveT.
# Posted on June 24th 2006 by Davetnova
Re: Can anybody explain fiddle strings to me?
DaveT, have a look at the very informative violin strings page of the Ifshin Violins website
http://www.ifshinviolins.com/features_guide.html
Ifshin have been around a long time. They don't make strings, so may be expected to give a fair, unbiassed opinion.
# Posted on June 24th 2006 by lazyhound
Re: Can anybody explain fiddle strings to me?
Obligatos are lovely strings - When I first put them on I found it took about 3 days before their quality began to show. They must need to settle and stretch before they become stable.
# Posted on June 24th 2006 by RichardB
Re: Can anybody explain fiddle strings to me?
I second the vote for Warchal Brilliants. I got a free sample set from Warchal. Previously, my favourite string was Obligato, but I wanted a quicker response. The Brilliants are similar to the Obligato, but more direct, more resonant and more responsive.
But as you will no doubt have heard many times, string choice is a very personal matter, so try out as many as possible. Some string companies will send you free sample sets.
# Posted on June 26th 2006 by MaccyD
Re: Can anybody explain fiddle strings to me?
I love the Warchal Amethyst even better than the Brilliant (although the latter sound very good!). The Amethyst have a very warm sound with an absolutely amazing bow response. I play scots fiddle and find them absolutely great for this type of music... I hope they last longer than the Brilliant, which went out of tune constantly after only six weeks of playing ...
# Posted on June 26th 2006 by ScotsWind
Re: Can anybody explain fiddle strings to me?
I play for hours every day and gig or session most nights of the week, and I'm hard on my strings in my playing. All other types of strings I tried I had to put a new set on every month or just over. I had my last set of Brilliants on for four months. They were sounding pretty poorly by the end of it but I'd say they were good AND stable for at least three months.
# Posted on June 26th 2006 by tbag
Re: Can anybody explain fiddle strings to me?
I'll second Bob himself and throw a vote for Prim mediums.
I've got a set on my fiddle and they sound great. They stay in tune under all sorts of conditions and the tone quality is a good match for my fiddle.
I've also used D'darrio Helicores and liked them, too. Maybe a little "warmer" than the Prims, but they didn't seem to last as long....
# Posted on June 26th 2006 by KeepFiddlin'