Any UK fiddlers want a nearly new set of Dominants?
Any UK fiddlers want a nearly new set of Dominants?
I have a set of Thomastik Dominants that I want to sell. They are medium gauge and have been on my fiddle for 10 days since new. I thought I'd try a set and I can't get on with them. I was about to put them up on Ebay, but thought I'd give the Fiddle players here first shot. If any one wants to give me £15.00 (p&p included in price) for them, email me.
Re: Any UK fiddlers want a nearly new set of Dominants?
My experience of Dominants, the Thomastik Infeld Reds (the new successor to the dominants, and my current use), Obligatos, Helicores, Zyex, and almost any other string you'd care to name (both fiddle and cello), is that they take time to play in. This is different to settling down to a stable pitch, which can be anything from a few hours (for steel strings) to a week or more for gut-cored.
The playing-in period, where the tone develops and the initial "harshness" (probably not the right word, but I can't think of better at the moment) gradually goes away, can be anything from a week to a month, depending on how the strings are played and how often.
I'd be inclined to give those doms another chance; if nothing else, they're always good for spares!
Trevor
Re: Any UK fiddlers want a nearly new set of Dominants?
I know what you mean Trevor, but the fiddle just died when I put them on. It's not a high quality fiddle, just a cheap Checkoslovakian job that I picked up on Ebay and I think it needs steel cores to drive it a bit harder.
Re: Any UK fiddlers want a nearly new set of Dominants?
I've tried strings that just didn't work on my fiddle (D'Addario Zyex), and I had no qualms about taking them right off. Jim, if you haven't already, try the Helicore (also by D'Addario)- a steel string with nice round, warm tone.
Personally, I wouldn't use a string that takes weeks to settle in. I've had good luck with Evah Pirazzi's, Obligatos, and Helicores. Yes, their tone improves as they settle in, but they also sound really good the very first day.
And I'll second Danny's kudos on the banjo clips - it'd be a joy to play with you, Jim.
Re: Any UK fiddlers want a nearly new set of Dominants?
I agree with Will. I have a zip bag full of strings that didn't work on this or that fiddle. You can usually tell within the first few minutes if they'll work or not.
Jim - Try the Heli's. They have a nice feel. Hard to believe that there's steel in there!
Re: Any UK fiddlers want a nearly new set of Dominants?
If you do go for Helicores, plan on a break in period before they sound "right"
My first set sounded great when I first put then on (which goes along with what Robby said), then sounded a bit "harsh" for a week or so. Now they are settled in just fine, but I was a bit concerned that first week.
BTW... I also have a cheap (Cremona student level) fiddle because it's all I could afford. I finally listened to a recording of myself and realized that it sounds a LOT better to the listener than to the player. All I hear in my ear when I play is the loud harsh sounds, not the more subtle tones.
Re: Any UK fiddlers want a nearly new set of Dominants?
Thanks to you all for the suggestions and kind comments. Still no takers for the dominants yet? I'm off up to Girvan festival either tomorrow or Friday and wont be back till Monday. So if any one emails me, I'll get back to you then.
Any UK fiddlers want a nearly new set of Dominants?
Any UK fiddlers want a nearly new set of Dominants?
I have a set of Thomastik Dominants that I want to sell. They are medium gauge and have been on my fiddle for 10 days since new. I thought I'd try a set and I can't get on with them. I was about to put them up on Ebay, but thought I'd give the Fiddle players here first shot. If any one wants to give me £15.00 (p&p included in price) for them, email me.
Jim w
# Posted on April 27th 2004 by Jim Williams
Re: Any UK fiddlers want a nearly new set of Dominants?
My experience of Dominants, the Thomastik Infeld Reds (the new successor to the dominants, and my current use), Obligatos, Helicores, Zyex, and almost any other string you'd care to name (both fiddle and cello), is that they take time to play in. This is different to settling down to a stable pitch, which can be anything from a few hours (for steel strings) to a week or more for gut-cored.
The playing-in period, where the tone develops and the initial "harshness" (probably not the right word, but I can't think of better at the moment) gradually goes away, can be anything from a week to a month, depending on how the strings are played and how often.
I'd be inclined to give those doms another chance; if nothing else, they're always good for spares!
Trevor
# Posted on April 27th 2004 by lazyhound
Re: Any UK fiddlers want a nearly new set of Dominants?
I know what you mean Trevor, but the fiddle just died when I put them on. It's not a high quality fiddle, just a cheap Checkoslovakian job that I picked up on Ebay and I think it needs steel cores to drive it a bit harder.
Jim w
# Posted on April 27th 2004 by Jim Williams
Re: Any UK fiddlers want a nearly new set of Dominants?
Liked your soundclips Jim!
# Posted on April 28th 2004 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Any UK fiddlers want a nearly new set of Dominants?
Cheers fatwah!
# Posted on April 28th 2004 by Jim Williams
Re: Any UK fiddlers want a nearly new set of Dominants?
I've tried strings that just didn't work on my fiddle (D'Addario Zyex), and I had no qualms about taking them right off. Jim, if you haven't already, try the Helicore (also by D'Addario)- a steel string with nice round, warm tone.
Personally, I wouldn't use a string that takes weeks to settle in. I've had good luck with Evah Pirazzi's, Obligatos, and Helicores. Yes, their tone improves as they settle in, but they also sound really good the very first day.
And I'll second Danny's kudos on the banjo clips - it'd be a joy to play with you, Jim.
# Posted on April 28th 2004 by Will CPT
Re: Any UK fiddlers want a nearly new set of Dominants?
I agree with Will. I have a zip bag full of strings that didn't work on this or that fiddle. You can usually tell within the first few minutes if they'll work or not.
Jim - Try the Heli's. They have a nice feel. Hard to believe that there's steel in there!
Thirds to Jim's clip. Outstanding work!
# Posted on April 28th 2004 by Robby B.
Re: Any UK fiddlers want a nearly new set of Dominants?
If you do go for Helicores, plan on a break in period before they sound "right"
My first set sounded great when I first put then on (which goes along with what Robby said), then sounded a bit "harsh" for a week or so. Now they are settled in just fine, but I was a bit concerned that first week.
BTW... I also have a cheap (Cremona student level) fiddle because it's all I could afford. I finally listened to a recording of myself and realized that it sounds a LOT better to the listener than to the player. All I hear in my ear when I play is the loud harsh sounds, not the more subtle tones.
# Posted on April 28th 2004 by Lisa Lawrence
Re: Any UK fiddlers want a nearly new set of Dominants?
Thanks to you all for the suggestions and kind comments. Still no takers for the dominants yet? I'm off up to Girvan festival either tomorrow or Friday and wont be back till Monday. So if any one emails me, I'll get back to you then.
Jim w
# Posted on April 28th 2004 by Jim Williams
Re: Any UK fiddlers want a nearly new set of Dominants?
i find it takes about a week for new strings to wear in. give them a chance.
i use spirocores though
# Posted on April 29th 2004 by LaraKerr