Well, metal ones... They say metal strings are more appropriate to trad music, for the brightness of their sound. I agree with this; then, it's up to you.
Cheers
Davide
I have tried a number of different strings, and I like Pirastro Chromcor the best. I think they are bright and responsive and they do not leave black lines on my fingers like almost every other string I have tried.
I'm still dying to try the Evah Pirazzis that Will loves. diochra, you might try doing a search, we've had quite a few discussions on strings on the board in the past.
I switched to Evah Pirazzis a while back (yup, on Will's recommendation) and love them. I was going through an A string a month (due to it unwrapping) with all the other strings I've tried. Pirazzis seem to last forever (well, at least until I decide it is time for a new set for sound reasons) and sound great.
The Pirazzi's are made by Pirastro. I'm glad other people are enjoying them, too. I did have one bad A that unravelled on me after a month of playing, but otherwise they've held up for 6 months at a time before needing to be replaced just because they start to go stale (to my ear). The only other strings that hold up as well under my fingers are Pirastro Obligatos and D'Addario Helicores. I find Pirazzi's more responsive and sweeter, without sacrificing durability or volume. And they feel good--silky and soft--under your fingers, without mushing out on triplets, rolls, or strong attack.
String choice is subjective and personal. What works on my fiddle or for my ear might not work for you. That said, I use Pirazzi's on both of my fiddles after trying lots of other strings.
i've used helicores, dominants, and tonicas. i like the tonicas best. they're a bit less forgiving of bad technique than helicores are, but the sound is far nicer, i think.
Having played for longer than I care to think about, I have to say that I have always been totally dis-satisfied with synthetic core strings, such as Pirastro Eudoxa. They take far too long to settle down, and the tone is always too sombre for fiddle music.
Back in late 60s, i was talking to John Dunkerley, who had played with Dave Swarbrick in the Ian Campbell Folk Group, and he told me that 'Swarb' always used Thomastik Spirocore. I bought a set and was immediately impressed, and have remained so until recently, when Thomastik bought out 'INFELD' red. These cost about
I had Prim's when I first started -- a bit TOO bright and brash on my fiddle, which is pretty loud and out there anyway. But they did last forever -- I think there wasn't much deterioration of the sound for about a year and a half.
Fiddle strings?
Fiddle strings?
I just bought a new violin and the strings, as usual, aren't the best. ;) What strings do the fiddle players on the board use?
# Posted on August 10th 2002 by Diochra
Re: Fiddle strings?
Well, metal ones... They say metal strings are more appropriate to trad music, for the brightness of their sound. I agree with this; then, it's up to you.
Cheers
Davide
# Posted on August 10th 2002 by nutsmuggler
Re: Fiddle strings?
I have always found that Dominant strings are good, espescially hard ones for traditional music.
# Posted on August 10th 2002 by ally_harlow
Re: Fiddle strings?
I have tried a number of different strings, and I like Pirastro Chromcor the best. I think they are bright and responsive and they do not leave black lines on my fingers like almost every other string I have tried.
# Posted on August 10th 2002 by pearse
Re: Fiddle strings?
I'm using Pirastro Tonicas, wound E at the moment, but I think I prefer those new Pirastro Violinos.
# Posted on August 10th 2002 by rapidbackpeddler
Re: Fiddle strings?
I'm still dying to try the Evah Pirazzis that Will loves. diochra, you might try doing a search, we've had quite a few discussions on strings on the board in the past.
Zina
# Posted on August 10th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: Fiddle strings?
I switched to Evah Pirazzis a while back (yup, on Will's recommendation) and love them. I was going through an A string a month (due to it unwrapping) with all the other strings I've tried. Pirazzis seem to last forever (well, at least until I decide it is time for a new set for sound reasons) and sound great.
# Posted on August 10th 2002 by chicagofiddler
Re: Fiddle strings?
The Pirazzi's are made by Pirastro. I'm glad other people are enjoying them, too. I did have one bad A that unravelled on me after a month of playing, but otherwise they've held up for 6 months at a time before needing to be replaced just because they start to go stale (to my ear). The only other strings that hold up as well under my fingers are Pirastro Obligatos and D'Addario Helicores. I find Pirazzi's more responsive and sweeter, without sacrificing durability or volume. And they feel good--silky and soft--under your fingers, without mushing out on triplets, rolls, or strong attack.
String choice is subjective and personal. What works on my fiddle or for my ear might not work for you. That said, I use Pirazzi's on both of my fiddles after trying lots of other strings.
# Posted on August 10th 2002 by Will Harmon
Re: Fiddle strings?
i've used helicores, dominants, and tonicas. i like the tonicas best. they're a bit less forgiving of bad technique than helicores are, but the sound is far nicer, i think.
sarah
# Posted on August 10th 2002 by sarahc
Re: Fiddle strings?
My choice is D'Addario Helicore, medium. Good response and a nice, warm sound.
# Posted on August 10th 2002 by Henk Bos
Re: Fiddle strings?
There is a useful article on different kinds of violin strings at the website of Ifshin Violins, a classical instument dealer.
The URL is http://www.ifshinviolins.com/strings.html
# Posted on August 10th 2002 by dond
Re: Fiddle strings?
There is a useful article on different kinds of violin strings at the website of Ifshin Violins, a classical instument dealer.
The URL is http://www.ifshinviolins.com/strings.html
# Posted on August 10th 2002 by dond
Re: Fiddle strings?
One more vote for Helicores, in addtion to the other remarks, they "settle in" quickly.
# Posted on August 11th 2002 by Crusty
Re: Fiddle strings?
Having played for longer than I care to think about, I have to say that I have always been totally dis-satisfied with synthetic core strings, such as Pirastro Eudoxa. They take far too long to settle down, and the tone is always too sombre for fiddle music.
Back in late 60s, i was talking to John Dunkerley, who had played with Dave Swarbrick in the Ian Campbell Folk Group, and he told me that 'Swarb' always used Thomastik Spirocore. I bought a set and was immediately impressed, and have remained so until recently, when Thomastik bought out 'INFELD' red. These cost about
# Posted on August 11th 2002 by fiddler48
Re: Fiddle strings?
Dominant
Big sweet warm sound but still with bite on your rolls
# Posted on August 19th 2002 by ...
Re: Fiddle strings?
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Prim strings. Nice bright sound, fast reacting, last forever, and cheap.
# Posted on August 23rd 2002 by Pat
Re: Fiddle strings?
I had Prim's when I first started -- a bit TOO bright and brash on my fiddle, which is pretty loud and out there anyway. But they did last forever -- I think there wasn't much deterioration of the sound for about a year and a half.
Zina
# Posted on August 23rd 2002 by Zina Lee