MacDarra O'Rallaigh - what strings?

MacDarra O'Rallaigh - what strings?

He's got a really crisp sound - I know that's down to bow
technique and practice, blah blah blah, good mike placement
on the recording, preamp settings, etc etc etc

Does somebody know what strings he used on the Ego Trip
recording? Just curious.

# Posted on November 23rd 2011 by Hup

Re: MacDarra O'Rallaigh - what strings?

I notice he anticipates your question in the sleeve notes, but he fails to satisfy your curiousity about the strings: he tells us that he used four.

There's a photo of a fiddle bridge and strings on the CD, they have red windings, so maybe Superflexibles? I heard that James Kelly uses those.

I also notice he used two fiddles, one of them belonging to his niece, but he doesn't say on which tracks.

# Posted on November 23rd 2011 by Bernie 29

Re: MacDara O Raghallaigh - what strings?

Dear Hump -- his name is spelled this way:

MacDara O Raghallaigh

# Posted on November 23rd 2011 by David Levine

Re: MacDarra O'Rallaigh - what strings?

Superflexibles are blue.
Spirocores?

# Posted on November 23rd 2011 by Dawros Frog

Re: MacDarra O'Rallaigh - what strings?

I can´t see the pic. Maybe it helps:
http://lashofviolins.com/String%20colors/Stringchart.htm

# Posted on November 23rd 2011 by fer

Re: MacDarra O'Rallaigh - what strings?

You could always just ask him... there's a contact form on his website here (http://macdara.bandcamp.com/), and he's on Facebook...

# Posted on November 23rd 2011 by Reverend

Re: MacDarra O'Rallaigh - what strings?

I have asked him. So don't let's all bombard him with the same question. I'll let you know what I find out.

# Posted on November 23rd 2011 by Bernie 29

Re: MacDarra O'Rallaigh - what strings?

Be aware that strings that suit a particular fiddle and a particular player may not necessarily be suitable for someone else with a different instrument. The bow is also another very important factor in tone production (some would say that it accounts for at least 50% of the tone),

# Posted on November 23rd 2011 by Trevor Jennings

Re: MacDarra O'Rallaigh - what strings?

Thanks Bernie; thanks Trevor - I knew you'd get sucked into
a strings discussion - I just want to find out - every time I hear
Ego Trip I like it more. I've been on spirocores myself for 6 months - I like them pretty well

# Posted on November 23rd 2011 by Hup

Re: MacDarra O'Rallaigh - what strings?

Macdarra kindly responded, he uses Spirocores, has tried other strings but comes back to these: he says other strings vibrate too much under his strong bow hand.

# Posted on November 24th 2011 by Bernie 29

Re: MacDarra O'Rallaigh - what strings?

LOL, there ya go, Hup. You want to sound like Mr. O'Raghallaigh? It's not the strings that are holding you back.

Rest assured, another 25 years of passionate, attentive fiddling may get you there.

# Posted on November 24th 2011 by Will Harmon

Re: MacDarra O'Rallaigh - what strings?

LOL -- thanks Will, thanks very much Bernie 29. Yes - 25 years
sounds about right - that's why I've been leaning more towards
flute lately - I've already "paid my dues" on other woodwinds -
like Trevor did on the cello

# Posted on November 25th 2011 by Hup

Re: MacDarra O'Rallaigh - what strings?

One of my favorite definitions is for amateur: someone who keeps doing what they love even though the results are often disappointing.

Then again, G.B Shaw said "Hell is full of amateurs."

# Posted on November 25th 2011 by Will Harmon