Have just bought a set of Obligato strings and while fitting them discovered that the e-string, rather than having a ball end on it like the others in the set, simply has a small metal loop - how on earth does it attach to the fiddle? There doesn't seem to be a way of getting it to grip due to the type of tailpiece on my particular fiddle....or maybe its obvious and I'm being stupid....
As you can probably tell I haven't changed strings for quite a while....
You can remove a ball end from an old string with needle-nose pliers and fit it into the new string’s loop. Under tension it should stay in place and work just fine.
I second that...always make sure you check the description on the set you buy as there are several possible variations...that is whether they're ball or loop. and whether the e string is gold plated etc. The things are so expensive it can be a really upsetting experience to get the wrong one.
Even open up the pack and double check, if they'll let you! I went into a shop and asked very specifically for a set with a ball-ended E string, and the person helping me said, "Oh, they're ALL ball-ends." Wrong.
BTW--I just tried out Icons and like them very much.
Thanks all for your suggestions, much appreciated! i've sorted it now by cutting the ball off an old string (ooh sounds painful) and wrapping the loop end around it - holding nicely and sounds good too
when I ordered the set I thought I had checked that they were all ball end - and the G, D, and A strings were - it was only the Goldsteel E which was loop end, something I hadn't anticipated and still don't quite understand.
Trouble is I order online from America as it is so much cheaper than buying here in the wonderfully over-inflated UK so I can't open the pack beforehand to check strings. Oh well, I'll just check my order more thoroughly next time.
The loop end can be used with an add-on micrometer adjuster for the E-string, the sort you find on a fiddle with synthetic core or gut lower strings that are more conveniently tuned from well set up pegs.
And Obligatos, for my money, are well in my top three of fiddle strings. They are a string that seem to have a closer approach to the gut sound and feel than most other synthetic cores, as well as having good stability and the longevity you'd expect from synthetic cores.
So, Trevor, what are your top three fiddle strings (don't say DAE!)? The other two beside Obligatos, I mean. I like the full warm gut sound but am intimidated by taking on the problems of real gut. And I also like the bite you can get from steel strings. Synths seems to be a sensible middle road, logically if not in practice. As I mentioned, I really like the Visions but of course I'm always searching for that elusive set of perfect strings.
Perhaps the new Wondertone strings from http://www.pirastro.com/homeset.html might be good to try - they have a steel core A (and very pretty windings)
Yes, Fidkid, my top three brands of synthetic-cored strings (in alphabetical order) are Obligatos, Vision Titanium, and Zyex . I haven't tried Evahs yet, so when I do perhaps I might then be talking about my top four brands. I'd be reluctant to put these brands into any particular order of merit - they each have their best points and it depends so much anyway on the fiddle itself, the bow, and the nut on the end of the bow.
I've talked to one or two classical pros who have used gut fiddle strings. They give a wonderful tone, but they take a week or more to settle in. When they settle in tuning stability is very iffy compared with other strings and depends a lot on temperature and humidty, but you do have the compensation of a gorgeous rich tone (wasted in most sessions!) for a few weeks before they fade. So I think they're best suited nowadays for top classical players (who can afford them and their frequent replacements), and Baroque and Early Music players who will be using them at something like A415 which doesn't stress the gut so much. Baroque bowing is less aggressive anyway.
As for steel strings, I like 'em too, but not all the time, and then on a particular one of my two fiddles. My preference in steel-cored fiddle strings is for Thomastic Spirocore.
Further to LazyHound's (typically) excellent post, I tried Evah's probably 18 mths/2 yrs ago and found them a little edgier than the Obligatos on my fiddle (even though the Evah's have really nice wrappers!), so I went back to the Os. Like a lot of the really good synthetics, it pays (if you can afford it) to try around to see what suits your instrument and your ear. A lot can depend on whether you have an instrument that has, say, a naturally chocolatey tone (like mine) which you might either want to lift or emphasize. Some people mix and match brands (seeking a replacement for the infamous Dominant e strings was always a common one). Apart from the crippling burden of paying for strings, it can be great fun messing around with them, and most of the synthetics seem to bear up well if you take em off and put them back on later.
That's not surprising if the fiddles are broadly different, such as one being fairly new and the other quite old, as with mine. Obligatos and Vision Titaniums work quite well on both of mine, but the old one isn't suited to Spirocores, and the new one doesn't like Helicores.
Fortunately, I have only one cello, and the cost of a set of decent cello strings being what it is, , I use strings that last and last, and play well. Cello Spirocores fill that bill quite well for me, for my orchestral playing at any rate.
Obligato Fiddle Strings
Obligato Fiddle Strings
Have just bought a set of Obligato strings and while fitting them discovered that the e-string, rather than having a ball end on it like the others in the set, simply has a small metal loop - how on earth does it attach to the fiddle? There doesn't seem to be a way of getting it to grip due to the type of tailpiece on my particular fiddle....or maybe its obvious and I'm being stupid....
As you can probably tell I haven't changed strings for quite a while....
Any help would be appreciated!
# Posted on October 24th 2006 by blaenclydach
Re: Obligato Fiddle Strings
You can remove a ball end from an old string with needle-nose pliers and fit it into the new string’s loop. Under tension it should stay in place and work just fine.
# Posted on October 24th 2006 by fidkid
Re: Obligato Fiddle Strings
thanks for that, worked a treat!
# Posted on October 24th 2006 by blaenclydach
Re: Obligato Fiddle Strings
blaenclydach,
Next time you order strings request the ball end if that's what you prefer. Obligato's do come with either loop or ball ends.
Mary
# Posted on October 24th 2006 by Antikhntr
Re: Obligato Fiddle Strings
I second that...always make sure you check the description on the set you buy as there are several possible variations...that is whether they're ball or loop. and whether the e string is gold plated etc. The things are so expensive it can be a really upsetting experience to get the wrong one.
# Posted on October 24th 2006 by Ger the Rigger
Re: Obligato Fiddle Strings
Even open up the pack and double check, if they'll let you! I went into a shop and asked very specifically for a set with a ball-ended E string, and the person helping me said, "Oh, they're ALL ball-ends." Wrong.
BTW--I just tried out Icons and like them very much.
# Posted on October 25th 2006 by fidkid
Re: Obligato Fiddle Strings
Uh, make that Infeld Visions. Great sound and they seem to be lasting a while too.
# Posted on October 25th 2006 by fidkid
Re: Obligato Fiddle Strings
After reading this thread I paused and thought about your question, and suggestion, 'any help'. So heck here is my 31/2 cents.
Pass the loop through the tailpiece opening, then shove a small nail through the loop. Hold in place and have somebody wind the string taught.
If really mad about it do this!
Drive the nail nearly all the way into the fiddle and attactch the loop to the resultant hook..
# Posted on October 25th 2006 by Schlongbow
Re: Obligato Fiddle Strings
Thanks all for your suggestions, much appreciated! i've sorted it now by cutting the ball off an old string (ooh sounds painful) and wrapping the loop end around it - holding nicely and sounds good too
when I ordered the set I thought I had checked that they were all ball end - and the G, D, and A strings were - it was only the Goldsteel E which was loop end, something I hadn't anticipated and still don't quite understand.
Trouble is I order online from America as it is so much cheaper than buying here in the wonderfully over-inflated UK so I can't open the pack beforehand to check strings. Oh well, I'll just check my order more thoroughly next time.
Thanks again everyone.
# Posted on October 25th 2006 by blaenclydach
Re: Obligato Fiddle Strings
The loop end can be used with an add-on micrometer adjuster for the E-string, the sort you find on a fiddle with synthetic core or gut lower strings that are more conveniently tuned from well set up pegs.
And Obligatos, for my money, are well in my top three of fiddle strings. They are a string that seem to have a closer approach to the gut sound and feel than most other synthetic cores, as well as having good stability and the longevity you'd expect from synthetic cores.
# Posted on October 25th 2006 by lazyhound
Re: Obligato Fiddle Strings
Id go with the nail in the fiddle trick... i fthe top cracks then use SUper Glue.
# Posted on October 25th 2006 by The Merry Highlander
Re: Obligato Fiddle Strings
So, Trevor, what are your top three fiddle strings (don't say DAE!)? The other two beside Obligatos, I mean. I like the full warm gut sound but am intimidated by taking on the problems of real gut. And I also like the bite you can get from steel strings. Synths seems to be a sensible middle road, logically if not in practice. As I mentioned, I really like the Visions but of course I'm always searching for that elusive set of perfect strings.
# Posted on October 25th 2006 by fidkid
Re: Obligato Fiddle Strings
Perhaps the new Wondertone strings from http://www.pirastro.com/homeset.html might be good to try - they have a steel core A (and very pretty windings)
# Posted on October 25th 2006 by RichardB
Re: Obligato Fiddle Strings
Worth trying out for the Christmas-y colors alone. Thanks RichardB.
# Posted on October 25th 2006 by fidkid
Re: Obligato Fiddle Strings
Yes, Fidkid, my top three brands of synthetic-cored strings (in alphabetical order) are Obligatos, Vision Titanium, and Zyex . I haven't tried Evahs yet, so when I do perhaps I might then be talking about my top four brands. I'd be reluctant to put these brands into any particular order of merit - they each have their best points and it depends so much anyway on the fiddle itself, the bow, and the nut on the end of the bow.
I've talked to one or two classical pros who have used gut fiddle strings. They give a wonderful tone, but they take a week or more to settle in. When they settle in tuning stability is very iffy compared with other strings and depends a lot on temperature and humidty, but you do have the compensation of a gorgeous rich tone (wasted in most sessions!) for a few weeks before they fade. So I think they're best suited nowadays for top classical players (who can afford them and their frequent replacements), and Baroque and Early Music players who will be using them at something like A415 which doesn't stress the gut so much. Baroque bowing is less aggressive anyway.
As for steel strings, I like 'em too, but not all the time, and then on a particular one of my two fiddles. My preference in steel-cored fiddle strings is for Thomastic Spirocore.
# Posted on October 25th 2006 by lazyhound
Re: Obligato Fiddle Strings
Thanks for the tips, lazyhound
# Posted on October 26th 2006 by fidkid
Re: Obligato Fiddle Strings
Further to LazyHound's (typically) excellent post, I tried Evah's probably 18 mths/2 yrs ago and found them a little edgier than the Obligatos on my fiddle (even though the Evah's have really nice wrappers!), so I went back to the Os. Like a lot of the really good synthetics, it pays (if you can afford it) to try around to see what suits your instrument and your ear. A lot can depend on whether you have an instrument that has, say, a naturally chocolatey tone (like mine) which you might either want to lift or emphasize. Some people mix and match brands (seeking a replacement for the infamous Dominant e strings was always a common one). Apart from the crippling burden of paying for strings, it can be great fun messing around with them, and most of the synthetics seem to bear up well if you take em off and put them back on later.
# Posted on October 26th 2006 by Ger the Rigger
Re: Obligato Fiddle Strings
I have one fiddle that sounds great with any strings and another that is very particular...
# Posted on October 27th 2006 by The Merry Highlander
Re: Obligato Fiddle Strings
That's not surprising if the fiddles are broadly different, such as one being fairly new and the other quite old, as with mine. Obligatos and Vision Titaniums work quite well on both of mine, but the old one isn't suited to Spirocores, and the new one doesn't like Helicores.
, I use strings that last and last, and play well. Cello Spirocores fill that bill quite well for me, for my orchestral playing at any rate.
Fortunately, I have only one cello, and the cost of a set of decent cello strings being what it is,
# Posted on October 27th 2006 by lazyhound