I just started fiddleing. I am teaching myself and I broke strings. I was using Helicores, but I don`t really care for them. I don`t have money to waste, but I want a good set. What strings should I use for Bluegrass style fiddleing and why?
If you want a brighter string try Prims. Whats wrong with Helicores......All the Bluegrass professionals I know (and don't know) use tthem. Thomastik Superflexibles and Jargar would be the other choices. Also Helicore Heavy guage are what I use and everybody else I can Think of.
David B
Martin makes good bluegrass strings, but I had a recurring problem with my A string fraying under my third finger so I stopped using them. I have Prims right now and I like them but they do strange things involving rosin. Most pros use Helicore. D'Addario makes some other strings for beginners, I can't remember what they're called- Prelude I think- but I don't know anyone who uses them so I don't know how useful they are.
Where are your strings breaking? You might want to check your instrument to make sure there's not a sharp or rough bit of wood that could be fraying the strings before you put a new set on. I've had that happen to me before. I'm glad you've started fiddling, it's such a great thing to get into! Good luck with your strings!
Thanks, Fiddlekit. It is good to have an encourageing word. I bought a fiddle that was made in West Germany in 1977. It is beauitful. The strings that were on it were several years old. I think that was part of the problem. Does anyone know anything about Evah's?
I never thought of Prims as being particularly bright, but I guess it depends a lot on the particular fiddle. I tried Evah Pirazzis and they were so bright and sensitive (on *my* fiddle) that I couldn’t stay with them. I could hear the mellowness coming back, string by string, as I switched back to Prim.
... bluegrass fiddling is nothing like Irish fiddling. But there is a common misconception in the US that bluegrass players can play anything... including "celtic" music and a lot people think bluegrass musicians are the best musicians on the planet... if you're interested in Irish fiddling... steer clear from the bluegrass. As far as strings go... any of the popular brands are a good place to start... find what you like but dont break them because they are not cheap.
helicores are prone to breaking if you are tuning up to AEAE, something I never had with zyex , prim or dominants. They behave well if you do not overtune and are very quick but will not take extra tension over design limits.
I reckon Chromcors give a Bluegrass sound, on some fiddles anyway. You could probably blag a free set to try off the makers if you send them a nice email.
The trouble is all fiddles are different and you'll just have to experiment to find the strings that give the sound you want on YOUR fiddle. My current faves are Visions.
Btw, I've never had a string break or even unravel. Are you sawing with a bow or maybe bowing with a saw?
Choosing Fiddle Strings
Choosing Fiddle Strings
Howdy,
I just started fiddleing. I am teaching myself and I broke strings. I was using Helicores, but I don`t really care for them. I don`t have money to waste, but I want a good set. What strings should I use for Bluegrass style fiddleing and why?
Renée
# Posted on November 12th 2006 by fiddlen4fun
Re: Choosing Fiddle Strings
If you want a brighter string try Prims. Whats wrong with Helicores......All the Bluegrass professionals I know (and don't know) use tthem. Thomastik Superflexibles and Jargar would be the other choices. Also Helicore Heavy guage are what I use and everybody else I can Think of.
David B
# Posted on November 12th 2006 by fiddler59
Re: Choosing Fiddle Strings
Fiddle strings just don't break in normal use! Something must be very unusual.
# Posted on November 12th 2006 by TomB-R
Re: Choosing Fiddle Strings
1 tune your fiddle to concert pitch ( get a tuner if you don't have one.
2 chose soft strings to start, eg sythetics such as Vioino.
3 get a teacher to show you how to properly use the bow on the strings.
# Posted on November 12th 2006 by Schlongbow
Re: Choosing Fiddle Strings
Maybe you could try using a thinner plectrum?
# Posted on November 12th 2006 by tradshark
Re: Choosing Fiddle Strings
Martin makes good bluegrass strings, but I had a recurring problem with my A string fraying under my third finger so I stopped using them. I have Prims right now and I like them but they do strange things involving rosin. Most pros use Helicore. D'Addario makes some other strings for beginners, I can't remember what they're called- Prelude I think- but I don't know anyone who uses them so I don't know how useful they are.
# Posted on November 13th 2006 by wordnerd129
Re: Choosing Fiddle Strings
Where are your strings breaking? You might want to check your instrument to make sure there's not a sharp or rough bit of wood that could be fraying the strings before you put a new set on. I've had that happen to me before. I'm glad you've started fiddling, it's such a great thing to get into! Good luck with your strings!
# Posted on November 13th 2006 by Fiddlekit
Re: Choosing Fiddle Strings
Thanks, Fiddlekit. It is good to have an encourageing word. I bought a fiddle that was made in West Germany in 1977. It is beauitful. The strings that were on it were several years old. I think that was part of the problem. Does anyone know anything about Evah's?
Renée
# Posted on November 13th 2006 by fiddlen4fun
Re: Choosing Fiddle Strings
I never thought of Prims as being particularly bright, but I guess it depends a lot on the particular fiddle. I tried Evah Pirazzis and they were so bright and sensitive (on *my* fiddle) that I couldn’t stay with them. I could hear the mellowness coming back, string by string, as I switched back to Prim.
# Posted on November 13th 2006 by Bob himself
Re: Choosing Fiddle Strings
... bluegrass fiddling is nothing like Irish fiddling. But there is a common misconception in the US that bluegrass players can play anything... including "celtic" music and a lot people think bluegrass musicians are the best musicians on the planet... if you're interested in Irish fiddling... steer clear from the bluegrass. As far as strings go... any of the popular brands are a good place to start... find what you like but dont break them because they are not cheap.
# Posted on November 13th 2006 by The Merry Highlander
Re: Choosing Fiddle Strings
helicores are prone to breaking if you are tuning up to AEAE, something I never had with zyex , prim or dominants. They behave well if you do not overtune and are very quick but will not take extra tension over design limits.
# Posted on November 13th 2006 by tlittlewazzock
Re: Choosing Fiddle Strings
I reckon Chromcors give a Bluegrass sound, on some fiddles anyway. You could probably blag a free set to try off the makers if you send them a nice email.
The trouble is all fiddles are different and you'll just have to experiment to find the strings that give the sound you want on YOUR fiddle. My current faves are Visions.
Btw, I've never had a string break or even unravel. Are you sawing with a bow or maybe bowing with a saw?
# Posted on November 18th 2006 by Jay-eye