Thumbs up or thumbs down on this idea? I'm still looking for a non-aluminum coated steel A. I'm thinking of trying out Evah Pirazzi G and D with the EP viola steel A.
by suggesting the Evahs, I am assuming you want a loud higher tension string...
check out the Vision Orchestras..G and D are silver wound (as are most strings, but you can get a Dominant D in aluminum if wanted) and the A is hydronalium, whatever that is...
I have a Jargar A string on the fiddle in my hand, it suites this instrument and allthough they are quite high tension, I am reasonable happy with them
Use whatever your ear likes and is comfortable for you to play. I'm a Dominant junkie. Every now and then, I'll use D'Addario Zy's just to remind me why I like Dominant so much... sometimes Helocores work well on my 5-string but I still always seem to end up with Dom's
By which definition are Evah Pirrazis higher tension than other strings? My experience has been quite the opposite.
Oh, and check your string length - if you get a fractional size viola string, you could make it work on violin - just get whatever size viola string length they have that's closest to yours, or if they're doing it by body length pick something around 14". That is, if Evah Pirrazi makes fractional size strings.
Henk, I don't get it. Although I think it's smart to look for smaller size viola strings if they make them (if nothing else, you won't have to chop them up to get them to fit in the peg box), "professional" model violas range from near violin size (15.25ish) to 17+ inches in body length. That's a pretty good sized range. I think it would probably be okay.
Just checked: Evah viola A is synthetic core. So this makes me wonder if mhuppert started with the wrong question, the way I read it he's supposing that the Evah viola A is steel core.
Henk, I *think* the pitch of the string has a bigger effect than string length. After all, the lowest string of a viola needs to vibrate at less than half the speed of the 2nd highest, for example.
I assumed mhuppert is one of those folks who reacts badly to aluminum (my fingers turn black, myself), and is more worried about the winding than the core?
Huh, that's funny about the tension - Evahs are so comfy to play I assumed they were less tense. Thanks for the info, Sunnybear.
Viola strings are really long, so you would have to do some chopping to get them the right length. While it's true that there are 15 inch violas, it's still bigger than you think. I play a 16 inch and it feels enormous compared to a fiddle. Violas vary in size, but viola strings really don't. The strings you get will be long enough for 17 inch or bigger monsters. I worry that viola strings are probably built for a different tension to maintain a pitch at a different string length, possibly meaning thicker strings, than a fiddle. These strings may not work well for you. I could be wrong on this, but as a violist and a fiddler, I would just try to find an appropriate violin string to suit your needs. Good luck with whatever you do!
Evah's are awesome, I love playing on them. But I would be careful about getting too creative with different lengths/widths of strings. Even if it works technically, it will almost certainly make it harder for you to play. It would be like putting a 4/4 size fiddle string onto a 1/2 size fiddle.
Despite that, yes, chopping may be necessary, but it's not really a problem. After looking, Evahs don't come in fractional sizes, though. I still maintain it won't be that big of a deal.
Ah, you're right. Most of the size differentiation is for younger children who play smaller instruments. Adult players using a full size viola 15 inches and up, pretty much just have one choice for string length whether you play a 15 inch or an 18 inch (although a few strings have 15 or 16 inch options). I find that on my 16 inch viola, I often have plenty of string wound around the peg. In fact on my last viola, which was about the same size, I had to cut the end off of my strings to make them fit.
That said, an A string for a 13 or 14 inch viola may work, but I suspect it will be built differently that a violin A. What I worry about is that this may be like putting medium gauge strings on a guitar that takes light gauge strings. Of course it is not the same because of the way the strings are attached to the instrument, but I suspect that the sound quality will be affected nonetheless. I could be wrong. The worst you could do is try, I suppose,but I would exhaust your violin string options first since Evahs are not cheap.
To clarify, the length of the string is a mere annoyance. The width of the string and the tension that it's built for (because of the construction of the instrument) is what might be a problem.
Interestingly, I just checked my violin and viola A strings, and my viola A (Evah) is actually much thinner. It's not would and only a bit bigger than my violin E (Dominant). If by non aluminum coated you mean not wound, this might be it. Perhaps the difference has to do with the overall tension structure of the instrument. Each set of strings has the highest string unwound, with winding on the others. If you really want to know how this would work out, it might be good to find a violin maker to ask.
The main idea of this was to try out Evah Pirazzis, but for me Aluminum-wound strings self-destruct in 4 weeks or so. The EPs are so expensive - I don't want to throw money out the window.
So I was hoping to substitute something compatible for the A. I still might do this with the Jarger or Spirocore A (which I'm using now)
Maybe try a full set of violin Evahs? They're high quality strings and really shouldn't self destruct after 4 weeks. Talk to someone at your local violin shop about string options. They should know a lot about what works and why your strings may not have been working for you. Good luck!
I talked with reenactor some more about this and he does use viola As on violins sometimes to make do for the children he teaches so it apparently works okay. Your best bet is probably still to find a set of violin strings wound in something besides aluminum. Sorry for all the trouble!
An alternative which seems to work with aluminum-covered strings is to put a drop of extra virgin olive oil on the pad of a finger and rub it gently up and down the strings - over the fingerboard area obviously. The fine layer of oil on the string protects the aluminum from the salty sweat coming off the fingers. It makes for a lovely smooth feel to playing.
It's a good idea to use this technique if you use gut-core strings such as Eudoxas, and most especially if you use a plain gut string (on one of my fiddles I use covered gut Eudoxas G and D, a plain gut Chorda A, and a wound steel Eudoxa E).
For best results it's generally advisable not to swap strings between viola and violin. The basic reason is the string lengths of the two instruments are different, and the strings are designed to match the inherent different resonances and tonal qualities of violin and viola. The frequency of a vibrating string depends on its length, tension, and density.
Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
Thumbs up or thumbs down on this idea? I'm still looking for a non-aluminum coated steel A. I'm thinking of trying out Evah Pirazzi G and D with the EP viola steel A.
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by Hup
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
???? I wonder if you realize how big the difference between a violin and a viola string is.....
The tension will almost certainly be wrong.
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by Henk Bos
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
I don't realise, Henk. I'm looking for advice though - thanks
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by Hup
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
by suggesting the Evahs, I am assuming you want a loud higher tension string...
check out the Vision Orchestras..G and D are silver wound (as are most strings, but you can get a Dominant D in aluminum if wanted) and the A is hydronalium, whatever that is...
http://www.thomastik-infeld.com/strings/index.html
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by Sunnybear
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
Sunnybear, mhuppert is looking for 'a non-aluminum coated steel A' . Vision Orchestra is not steel core.
Jargar A is a steel core string with chrome steel winding.
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by Henk Bos
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
I have a Jargar A string on the fiddle in my hand, it suites this instrument and allthough they are quite high tension, I am reasonable happy with them
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by jig
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
Use whatever your ear likes and is comfortable for you to play. I'm a Dominant junkie. Every now and then, I'll use D'Addario Zy's just to remind me why I like Dominant so much... sometimes Helocores work well on my 5-string but I still always seem to end up with Dom's
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by pastrings
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
By which definition are Evah Pirrazis higher tension than other strings? My experience has been quite the opposite.
Oh, and check your string length - if you get a fractional size viola string, you could make it work on violin - just get whatever size viola string length they have that's closest to yours, or if they're doing it by body length pick something around 14". That is, if Evah Pirrazi makes fractional size strings.
Henk, I don't get it. Although I think it's smart to look for smaller size viola strings if they make them (if nothing else, you won't have to chop them up to get them to fit in the peg box), "professional" model violas range from near violin size (15.25ish) to 17+ inches in body length. That's a pretty good sized range. I think it would probably be okay.
T.J.
http://www.cdbaby.com/hullksiazek
http://www.cdbaby.com/culchies
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by reenactor
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
Henk,
Evahs are not a steel core string either. Is the Viola A steel core?
and Evahs are a higher tension, as are most of the new strings, compared to Dominants, or even compared to Titanium Orchestras.
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by Sunnybear
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
Sunnybear,
Just checked: Evah viola A is synthetic core. So this makes me wonder if mhuppert started with the wrong question, the way I read it he's supposing that the Evah viola A is steel core.
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by Henk Bos
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
Reenactor,
Sounds logic what you say, bu there must absolutely be a difference, why would they make separate G, D and A viola strings otherwise?
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by Henk Bos
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
'but'
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by Henk Bos
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
Henk, I *think* the pitch of the string has a bigger effect than string length. After all, the lowest string of a viola needs to vibrate at less than half the speed of the 2nd highest, for example.
I assumed mhuppert is one of those folks who reacts badly to aluminum (my fingers turn black, myself), and is more worried about the winding than the core?
Huh, that's funny about the tension - Evahs are so comfy to play I assumed they were less tense. Thanks for the info, Sunnybear.
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by reenactor
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
here are the tensions of some strings:
Evahs are the highest
A 5.8 Kp
D 4.8 Kp
G 5.0 Kp
Obligatos
A 5.6 Kp
D 4.4 Kp
G 4.6 Kp
Titanium Orchestra
A 5.4 Kp
D 4.5 Kp
G 4.5 Kp
Dominants
A 5.5 Kp
D 4.2 Kp
G 4.5 Kp
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by Sunnybear
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
it looks like Spirocore has a chrome wound A
as do Superflexibles...
I think Spirocore would be the better of these 2 strings
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by Sunnybear
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
Viola strings are really long, so you would have to do some chopping to get them the right length. While it's true that there are 15 inch violas, it's still bigger than you think. I play a 16 inch and it feels enormous compared to a fiddle. Violas vary in size, but viola strings really don't. The strings you get will be long enough for 17 inch or bigger monsters. I worry that viola strings are probably built for a different tension to maintain a pitch at a different string length, possibly meaning thicker strings, than a fiddle. These strings may not work well for you. I could be wrong on this, but as a violist and a fiddler, I would just try to find an appropriate violin string to suit your needs. Good luck with whatever you do!
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by jasonb
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
Evah's are awesome, I love playing on them. But I would be careful about getting too creative with different lengths/widths of strings. Even if it works technically, it will almost certainly make it harder for you to play. It would be like putting a 4/4 size fiddle string onto a 1/2 size fiddle.
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by FidDLe01
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
Uh, jasonb1985, viola strings *do* vary in size.
http://sharmusic.com/violastrings.asp?catID=12
Here you may find viola strings from 12" - 16.5.
Despite that, yes, chopping may be necessary, but it's not really a problem. After looking, Evahs don't come in fractional sizes, though. I still maintain it won't be that big of a deal.
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by reenactor
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
Ah, you're right. Most of the size differentiation is for younger children who play smaller instruments. Adult players using a full size viola 15 inches and up, pretty much just have one choice for string length whether you play a 15 inch or an 18 inch (although a few strings have 15 or 16 inch options). I find that on my 16 inch viola, I often have plenty of string wound around the peg. In fact on my last viola, which was about the same size, I had to cut the end off of my strings to make them fit.
That said, an A string for a 13 or 14 inch viola may work, but I suspect it will be built differently that a violin A. What I worry about is that this may be like putting medium gauge strings on a guitar that takes light gauge strings. Of course it is not the same because of the way the strings are attached to the instrument, but I suspect that the sound quality will be affected nonetheless. I could be wrong. The worst you could do is try, I suppose,but I would exhaust your violin string options first since Evahs are not cheap.
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by jasonb
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
To clarify, the length of the string is a mere annoyance. The width of the string and the tension that it's built for (because of the construction of the instrument) is what might be a problem.
Interestingly, I just checked my violin and viola A strings, and my viola A (Evah) is actually much thinner. It's not would and only a bit bigger than my violin E (Dominant). If by non aluminum coated you mean not wound, this might be it. Perhaps the difference has to do with the overall tension structure of the instrument. Each set of strings has the highest string unwound, with winding on the others. If you really want to know how this would work out, it might be good to find a violin maker to ask.
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by jasonb
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
not *wound* - sorry!
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by jasonb
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
Zowee! I guess I'll give up on that idea.
# Posted on December 19th 2007 by Hup
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
The main idea of this was to try out Evah Pirazzis, but for me Aluminum-wound strings self-destruct in 4 weeks or so. The EPs are so expensive - I don't want to throw money out the window.
So I was hoping to substitute something compatible for the A. I still might do this with the Jarger or Spirocore A (which I'm using now)
# Posted on December 19th 2007 by Hup
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
Maybe try a full set of violin Evahs? They're high quality strings and really shouldn't self destruct after 4 weeks. Talk to someone at your local violin shop about string options. They should know a lot about what works and why your strings may not have been working for you. Good luck!
# Posted on December 19th 2007 by jasonb
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
I talked with reenactor some more about this and he does use viola As on violins sometimes to make do for the children he teaches so it apparently works okay. Your best bet is probably still to find a set of violin strings wound in something besides aluminum. Sorry for all the trouble!
# Posted on December 21st 2007 by jasonb
Re: Evah Pirazzi Viola A on fiddle
An alternative which seems to work with aluminum-covered strings is to put a drop of extra virgin olive oil on the pad of a finger and rub it gently up and down the strings - over the fingerboard area obviously. The fine layer of oil on the string protects the aluminum from the salty sweat coming off the fingers. It makes for a lovely smooth feel to playing.
It's a good idea to use this technique if you use gut-core strings such as Eudoxas, and most especially if you use a plain gut string (on one of my fiddles I use covered gut Eudoxas G and D, a plain gut Chorda A, and a wound steel Eudoxa E).
For best results it's generally advisable not to swap strings between viola and violin. The basic reason is the string lengths of the two instruments are different, and the strings are designed to match the inherent different resonances and tonal qualities of violin and viola. The frequency of a vibrating string depends on its length, tension, and density.
# Posted on December 25th 2007 by lazyhound