Hi , merry ho ho ,,
I just recieved a set of Dominanat med violin strings and I see the usual plastic tube that protects the bridge on my other brand string sets ,is absent , is this correct for this string? Model 130.
many thanks
Paul
I'd recommend a different E to the Dominant. The Dominant E is believed by some players to be too shrill and so affects the tone of the other strings. My personal preference is for anything by Pirastro or the Hill E, which imo is superb and inexpensive (but make sure to specifically ask for the ball end, because Hill also do a loop end E which needs a different design of microtuner).
As an alternative to the plastic string protector you could try using a tiny scrap of chamois leather instead. It looks better and feels more natural.
If not that plastic thing, I would have thought something is necessary if you don't want your bridge damaged - it is, after all, a bridge protector....
leoj, your ideas about bridges tend to run counter to what I've learned from a lifetime working with trained luthiers. What's your level of experience with this stuff, or are you simply relying on "what works for me" ?
You want something between the E string and the maple of the bridge, assuming you want to use that bridge for more than a year or so. The string will cut its way into the wood until it's pinched and the tone and responsiveness will suffer.
Some bridges have ebony inserts for the E string, so the string sleeve isn't necessary. But in other cases, best to use a tiny patch of chamois or the sleeve that comes with the string.
Hmmm. All the higher quality bridges I've fitted or seen fitted in the last 10 years (how many hundreds upon hundreds of bridges? I've no idea) have had no coating. A few had ebony inserts, as I mentioned above. But ebony can worsen the tendency of an already bright or edgy E string. I disagree with leoj. Most "better" and "best" grade bridges are plain maple. As he says, use a sleeve or chamois to prevent the string from digging in.
Really? The inserts are made of ebony (black to brown, against the very light khaki of the maple bridge) or ivory (white to brown) on the better bridges, and sometimes plastic on cheapo bridge blanks.
It's not at all hard to see the inserts.
And most reputable luthiers avoid bridges with inserts because they don't sound as good as solid maple bridges. So much so that the better bridge manufacturers don't offer them anymore, certainly not on Grade A and better bridges.
Fiddlechick, that may be true, but both Dominant Es are harsh compared to a number of better and no more expensive (often less) E strings. I think you'll be surprised and pleased if you try out the Lenzner Goldbrokat, or the Superflexible No. 8, or the Hill E.
The gold plated E is certainly superior to the regular E, though there are other good choices such as those mentioned above. Lenzner is a really good string. I gotta try that No. 8 though!
I had an E string break on me while playing at a session last week. First time that has ever happened!
Back to the tube thing. It is a stop gap protector at best. Traditionally the bridge should have a parchment, properly installed. These will out last the bridge, and not interfere with string and bridge vibrations. Those self adjusting feet should be outlawed. All they do is ruin violin tops, and make it damned hard to properly fit a bridge later. Goldbrokat rules, Wondertone isn't so bad either. Depends on the fiddle, player, bow.
I surprised no one mentioned that Dominant now makes a wound E. This is worth a try for now other reason that the wound E greatly reduces that notorious E whistle. I figure the windings hold rosin better.
Ditto on the Pirastro. Since each fiddle sounds different with different strings, experimentation is in order. This must be why Dominant has the GDA package. (they know their E isn't always the best.)
dominat violin e string question .
dominat violin e string question .
Hi , merry ho ho ,,
I just recieved a set of Dominanat med violin strings and I see the usual plastic tube that protects the bridge on my other brand string sets ,is absent , is this correct for this string? Model 130.
many thanks
Paul
# Posted on December 9th 2010 by pajic
Re: dominat violin e string question .
I just opened the second pack ... duh !!! and found the e string with the plastic bridge protector , so answered my own question, happy hols .
Paul
# Posted on December 9th 2010 by pajic
Re: dominat violin e string question .
Stash a few of those thingies away (after use) and some day you'll thank yourself.
# Posted on December 9th 2010 by Bob himself
Re: dominat violin e string question .
I'd recommend a different E to the Dominant. The Dominant E is believed by some players to be too shrill and so affects the tone of the other strings. My personal preference is for anything by Pirastro or the Hill E, which imo is superb and inexpensive (but make sure to specifically ask for the ball end, because Hill also do a loop end E which needs a different design of microtuner).
As an alternative to the plastic string protector you could try using a tiny scrap of chamois leather instead. It looks better and feels more natural.
# Posted on December 10th 2010 by Trevor Jennings
Re: dominat violin e string question .
Yep, even the el-cheapo Lenzner GoldBrokat E string is far better than the Dominant E.
# Posted on December 10th 2010 by Will Harmon
Re: dominat violin e string question .
Sorry, forgot about the GoldBrokat. That was the E favored by the great Jascha Heifetz.
# Posted on December 10th 2010 by Trevor Jennings
Re: dominat violin e string question .
That plastic thing isn't really necessary.
# Posted on December 10th 2010 by leoj
Re: dominat violin e string question .
"That plastic thing isn't really necessary."
If not that plastic thing, I would have thought something is necessary if you don't want your bridge damaged - it is, after all, a bridge protector....
# Posted on December 11th 2010 by On Sabbatical
Re: dominat violin e string question .
More advice about changing the E string on this link: http://www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm?ID=19005
# Posted on December 11th 2010 by Trevor Jennings
Re: dominat violin e string question .
leoj, your ideas about bridges tend to run counter to what I've learned from a lifetime working with trained luthiers. What's your level of experience with this stuff, or are you simply relying on "what works for me" ?
You want something between the E string and the maple of the bridge, assuming you want to use that bridge for more than a year or so. The string will cut its way into the wood until it's pinched and the tone and responsiveness will suffer.
Some bridges have ebony inserts for the E string, so the string sleeve isn't necessary. But in other cases, best to use a tiny patch of chamois or the sleeve that comes with the string.
# Posted on December 11th 2010 by Will Harmon
Re: dominat violin e string question .
Many (most ) modern bridges are coated at the e string or have an insert to protect against the string cutting into the wood.
# Posted on December 11th 2010 by leoj
Re: dominat violin e string question .
if yours isn't then use one.
# Posted on December 11th 2010 by leoj
Re: dominat violin e string question .
Hmmm. All the higher quality bridges I've fitted or seen fitted in the last 10 years (how many hundreds upon hundreds of bridges? I've no idea) have had no coating. A few had ebony inserts, as I mentioned above. But ebony can worsen the tendency of an already bright or edgy E string. I disagree with leoj. Most "better" and "best" grade bridges are plain maple. As he says, use a sleeve or chamois to prevent the string from digging in.
# Posted on December 11th 2010 by Will Harmon
Re: dominat violin e string question .
Erm, besides, the "coating" would be cut away in fitting and notching the bridge.
# Posted on December 11th 2010 by Will Harmon
Re: dominat violin e string question .
If you aren't sure then by all means use something!
# Posted on December 11th 2010 by leoj
Re: dominat violin e string question .
Also, look closely at the bridge where the e string sits as the insert is likely the color of the wood, so it's kind of hard to see.
# Posted on December 11th 2010 by leoj
Re: dominat violin e string question .
Really? The inserts are made of ebony (black to brown, against the very light khaki of the maple bridge) or ivory (white to brown) on the better bridges, and sometimes plastic on cheapo bridge blanks.
It's not at all hard to see the inserts.
And most reputable luthiers avoid bridges with inserts because they don't sound as good as solid maple bridges. So much so that the better bridge manufacturers don't offer them anymore, certainly not on Grade A and better bridges.
Here are some pix of high-end bridge blanks. Not an insert among them: http://www.audubonstrings.com/oscommerce-2.2ms2-051113/catalog/index.php/cPath/406_288_678_673
# Posted on December 11th 2010 by Will Harmon
Re: dominat violin e string question .
yes, I think they are more common among the less expensive bridges and the insert is colored to match the wood typically.
# Posted on December 11th 2010 by leoj
Re: dominat violin e string question .
I've never seen that--camouflaged inserts--in 35 years of looking very closely at bridges.
Of course, "self-adjusting" feet are also common on cheap bridges. But anyone wanting genuine music out of their fiddle should avoid such garbage.
# Posted on December 11th 2010 by Will Harmon
Re: dominat violin e string question .
Agreed, I don't like the adjusting feet either! They should be outlawed. lol
# Posted on December 11th 2010 by leoj
Re: dominat violin e string question .
I mean, they are clever little things, those adjusting feet. Still don't like them though.
# Posted on December 11th 2010 by leoj
Re: dominat violin e string question .
I've found the gold plated E dominant to have a better tonal quality than a regular dominant E.
# Posted on December 11th 2010 by Fiddlechick7
Re: dominat violin e string question .
Fiddlechick, that may be true, but both Dominant Es are harsh compared to a number of better and no more expensive (often less) E strings. I think you'll be surprised and pleased if you try out the Lenzner Goldbrokat, or the Superflexible No. 8, or the Hill E.
# Posted on December 11th 2010 by Will Harmon
Re: dominat violin e string question .
The gold plated E is certainly superior to the regular E, though there are other good choices such as those mentioned above. Lenzner is a really good string. I gotta try that No. 8 though!
I had an E string break on me while playing at a session last week. First time that has ever happened!
# Posted on December 11th 2010 by leoj
Re: dominat violin e string question .
Back to the tube thing. It is a stop gap protector at best. Traditionally the bridge should have a parchment, properly installed. These will out last the bridge, and not interfere with string and bridge vibrations. Those self adjusting feet should be outlawed. All they do is ruin violin tops, and make it damned hard to properly fit a bridge later. Goldbrokat rules, Wondertone isn't so bad either. Depends on the fiddle, player, bow.
# Posted on December 12th 2010 by Fiddleshed
Re: dominat violin e string question .
I surprised no one mentioned that Dominant now makes a wound E. This is worth a try for now other reason that the wound E greatly reduces that notorious E whistle. I figure the windings hold rosin better.
Ditto on the Pirastro. Since each fiddle sounds different with different strings, experimentation is in order. This must be why Dominant has the GDA package. (they know their E isn't always the best.)
# Posted on December 12th 2010 by fiddlins_fun