Hello.
I am looking for a good set of softer fiddle strings. I dont mean sound wise - but to the touch.
I currently use medium gauge Thomastik Dominants but the action on my Fiddle is quite high. I thought a 'softer' set of strings might suit better as they would be easier to press to the fingerboard.
Any thoughts on this?
First off, lower your action. Most players find a happy middle ground--not so low that you lose volume or power or lefthand attack, and not so high that intonation suffers and it's cumbersome to finger. Action is easy enough to adjust--ask a reputable luthier to tweak your bridge and nut.
As for strings, any of the synthetic core strings will feel slinkier under your fingers than a steel core string. But you're already using a synth string (Perlon) in the Dominants.
Pirastro's Evah Pirrazis are among the "softest" for feel. I also like Thomastik's Vision strings (so far, the "Titanium soloists" work best on my fiddle, though the "Titanium orchestra" are also good).
Other soft, slinky strings I've liked include Pirastro's Obligato and the Thomastik Infelds (red or blue). FWIW, D'Addario's Zyex strings were duds on my fiddle, but other players like them a lot.
Prim makes a surprisingly soft steel core string. Most other steel strings feel taut and hard under the fingers.
If you get a chance, play a fiddle with a lower action than yours and notice the differences.
The trouble with softter strings is that are slower. But medium gauge Thomastik Dominants are pretty soft anyway.
Soft means they are just not as responsive to rolls and cuts etc. You need to strike a balance. I like a high action (by trad standards) because I feel I get a better snap out of it, with my medium gauge Thomastik Dominants. Other playes get the same snap with stiffer strings and a lower action.
Michael raises a good point--stick with medium gauge strings. Light gauge synth strings tend to be mushy and all slithery--hard to get any punch out of them, either from the bow (e.g. bowed triplets) or the lefthand (cuts, rolls).
Prims and Helicores (both steel core) afford great "pop" compared to most synth strings. But Dominants, Pirrazis, and Visions will pop almost as well, if you're familiar with their feel and have the action set appropriately. One reason they're worth the extra dinero.
BTW, I've been using Visions for a while now, and finally gave up on the Titanium E strings. So I get my sets as just the G, D, and A string, and then buy a cheapo Lesner Goldbrokat E, which works great. Cuts the cost of the set down from $59 USD (at http://www.johnsonstrings.com) to $39 and change. If you like Dominants, I'd be surprised if you didn't like the Visions (Titanium Soloists) even more.
Like Kennedy, I play on Tonicas and I like them a lot. I have lower the action on my fiddle. I like how the Tonicas feel. I played on Dominants for a long time but on the fiddle I have now, the Tonicas are much better. I second the suggestion to play on a fiddle with a lower action to see how that feels for you.
my advice is dont skimp on your strings, get the best you can possibly afford..
Im gonna try for the correlli's too but why do you think the alliance are twice the price of the crystals?
For those seeking to control costs, I've found that D'Addario Zyex's with a Pirastro Wondertone Gold E sounds pretty good. You can get the zyex's for $24.99US through gostrings.com.
I love some of the strings like Evah's but hate to spend that much for strings. Maybe when I get to be a better player, I'll reconsider.
If you're used to Dominants why not try Dominant soft tension strings. they have the same basic sound as normal doms but have the softer feel you seem to be after.
by soft, are you intending easier to press down?..I agree..you need a lower tension...
Dominants are among the "softest" feeling strings due to their tension. Evahs and Visions are nice strings if they work and if you like a higher tension string...Obligatos and Infelds are also a higher tension
softer fiddle strings
softer fiddle strings
Hello.
I am looking for a good set of softer fiddle strings. I dont mean sound wise - but to the touch.
I currently use medium gauge Thomastik Dominants but the action on my Fiddle is quite high. I thought a 'softer' set of strings might suit better as they would be easier to press to the fingerboard.
Any thoughts on this?
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by richrua
Re: softer fiddle strings
First off, lower your action. Most players find a happy middle ground--not so low that you lose volume or power or lefthand attack, and not so high that intonation suffers and it's cumbersome to finger. Action is easy enough to adjust--ask a reputable luthier to tweak your bridge and nut.
As for strings, any of the synthetic core strings will feel slinkier under your fingers than a steel core string. But you're already using a synth string (Perlon) in the Dominants.
Pirastro's Evah Pirrazis are among the "softest" for feel. I also like Thomastik's Vision strings (so far, the "Titanium soloists" work best on my fiddle, though the "Titanium orchestra" are also good).
Other soft, slinky strings I've liked include Pirastro's Obligato and the Thomastik Infelds (red or blue). FWIW, D'Addario's Zyex strings were duds on my fiddle, but other players like them a lot.
Prim makes a surprisingly soft steel core string. Most other steel strings feel taut and hard under the fingers.
If you get a chance, play a fiddle with a lower action than yours and notice the differences.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Miss Lonelyhearts
Re: softer fiddle strings
Try Tonicas. They're about half the thickness of Dominants---lots more comfortable against the fingerboard.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by kennedy
Re: softer fiddle strings
The trouble with softter strings is that are slower. But medium gauge Thomastik Dominants are pretty soft anyway.
Soft means they are just not as responsive to rolls and cuts etc. You need to strike a balance. I like a high action (by trad standards) because I feel I get a better snap out of it, with my medium gauge Thomastik Dominants. Other playes get the same snap with stiffer strings and a lower action.
Sounds to me like you simply need a lower bridge.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by llig leahcim
Re: softer fiddle strings
Have you tried any wound gut strings? They tend to feel softer under the fingers than synthetics.
But if the action is too high that should probably be fixed.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Marklar
Re: softer fiddle strings
Cross post there Will. Yeah. lower the action
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by llig leahcim
Re: softer fiddle strings
Michael raises a good point--stick with medium gauge strings. Light gauge synth strings tend to be mushy and all slithery--hard to get any punch out of them, either from the bow (e.g. bowed triplets) or the lefthand (cuts, rolls).
Prims and Helicores (both steel core) afford great "pop" compared to most synth strings. But Dominants, Pirrazis, and Visions will pop almost as well, if you're familiar with their feel and have the action set appropriately. One reason they're worth the extra dinero.
BTW, I've been using Visions for a while now, and finally gave up on the Titanium E strings. So I get my sets as just the G, D, and A string, and then buy a cheapo Lesner Goldbrokat E, which works great. Cuts the cost of the set down from $59 USD (at http://www.johnsonstrings.com) to $39 and change. If you like Dominants, I'd be surprised if you didn't like the Visions (Titanium Soloists) even more.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Miss Lonelyhearts
Re: softer fiddle strings
Like Kennedy, I play on Tonicas and I like them a lot. I have lower the action on my fiddle. I like how the Tonicas feel. I played on Dominants for a long time but on the fiddle I have now, the Tonicas are much better. I second the suggestion to play on a fiddle with a lower action to see how that feels for you.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by tacoman
Re: softer fiddle strings
Warchal strings have the most wonderful soft feel - it's really noticeable after a "cooking" string like Dominants. They also sound great.
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Mark Harmer
Re: softer fiddle strings
I like standard (classical) action - but each to their own.
Corelli Crystals are soft to the touch (and a softer tone as well).
Inexpensive, too - under £25 from somewhere like
http://www.stringmail.co.uk/
Jim
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Worldfiddler
Re: softer fiddle strings
my advice is dont skimp on your strings, get the best you can possibly afford..
Im gonna try for the correlli's too but why do you think the alliance are twice the price of the crystals?
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by the wicked hacker
Re: softer fiddle strings
For those seeking to control costs, I've found that D'Addario Zyex's with a Pirastro Wondertone Gold E sounds pretty good. You can get the zyex's for $24.99US through gostrings.com.
I love some of the strings like Evah's but hate to spend that much for strings. Maybe when I get to be a better player, I'll reconsider.
# Posted on November 16th 2007 by nofrets
Re: softer fiddle strings
If you're used to Dominants why not try Dominant soft tension strings. they have the same basic sound as normal doms but have the softer feel you seem to be after.
# Posted on November 16th 2007 by Bazfaz
Re: softer fiddle strings
by soft, are you intending easier to press down?..I agree..you need a lower tension...
Dominants are among the "softest" feeling strings due to their tension. Evahs and Visions are nice strings if they work and if you like a higher tension string...Obligatos and Infelds are also a higher tension
# Posted on November 17th 2007 by Sunnybear