I just bought my first fiddle 6 months ago, and it has Super sensitive red label strings. Since my fiddle is very bright, these strings sound rather harsh and piercing. I recently replace my E string with an Obligato goldsteel string. It does sound nicer than the red label. Does anyone have any ideas on what type of strings would be warmer and less harsh than the super sensitive? Thanks.
*ANY* string will give a warmer and richer tone than the Super Sensistive. Go with synthetic core strings, not steel. Start with Thomastik Dominants, and then experiment from there.
Agreed as to any string would be better! Dominant is a great place to start, but also consider Helicores. They are steel, but I have had great success with them. I was surprised, actually.
Dominant (Tomastic) have 3 different types of string type Stark, middle and soft, try a soft one is you can get your hands on one, they are fairly rare. Are you using the little plastic or fibber bush under the string as it crosses the bridge? The unfortunate truth about strings is you get what you pay for. Have fun
Strings are a highly personal thing, both to the player and the fiddle, but you still get strong opinions.
Trouble is, experimenting gets expensive. I guess a logical thing might be to try different brands of A, and get the rest of the set when you're happy.
Very few people seem really happy with their E string.
Personally I like Helicores a lot, I find Dominants too harsh.
I work at a violin shop with another fiddler (I do Irish, she does Scottish) and we both love the Kaplan Solutions E made by D'Addario. It's wrapped so it's a little thicker if you're used to the thin steel wire of 90% of all E strings. But it was formulated to stave off that annoying whistling. I think it does a great job, being mellower than most Es, although it's rather loud on my fiddle.
If you can, try Warchal strings too - they're very good and have been developed by a people who use online forums and user trials for getting their strings tested out.
love pirastro synoxas; around 33 quid a set; but keep their tune nicely and are easy for my numchuckka novice fingers to play, especially rolls , triplets etc.
Speaking as a Classical violinist recently turned Celtic Fiddler:
Super Sensitive Red Labels are about the worst I have EVER heard on ANY instrument! The only place I think they might be almost tolerable is on the "baby-sizes" of fiddle. It's the very cheapest brand, so they can say they sold you a fiddle "ready to play".
Thomastic is good, they've been out for at least 30 years- I remember them from my high school days. Finer, older, mellower instruments do very well with Eudoxas- from Pirastro, but they're also very expensive.
I tried the gold E string thing a couple of times, and was disappointed that the first one only lasted about 2 months of playing maybe twice a week. It broke. I had already bought a second one for extra, and that one went to an icky sound after about 3 months. A Symphony concertmaster- friend told me they really are intended for Classical concert soloists who change strings about once every week or two as a matter of course. I didn't think much of their staying power. And God in Heaven knows I can't afford to change strings more often than maybe 6-9 months. I did try a Kaplan Solutions E and like it fine- got rid of some of the sharp whistle I sometimes got.
I myself have always used the Eudoxas on my old beloved companion ( a Kriner from Mittenwald) but am considering trying a synthetic core set next time I make the plunge.
I'm currently using Obligatos and I put them on early last November. I'm playing a lot every day (I need the practice!) and having tried various other strings these seem perfect for me. They seem to have a lot of life left in them yet - if they last over half a year that's money well spent. The gold E is fine. They took several days to settle when I put them on - I suppose the tone doesn't develop until they've stretched and settled in.
Re: Fiddle strings
Re: Fiddle strings
I just bought my first fiddle 6 months ago, and it has Super sensitive red label strings. Since my fiddle is very bright, these strings sound rather harsh and piercing. I recently replace my E string with an Obligato goldsteel string. It does sound nicer than the red label. Does anyone have any ideas on what type of strings would be warmer and less harsh than the super sensitive? Thanks.
# Posted on April 18th 2006 by enirehtac
Re: Re: Fiddle strings
*ANY* string will give a warmer and richer tone than the Super Sensistive. Go with synthetic core strings, not steel. Start with Thomastik Dominants, and then experiment from there.
# Posted on April 18th 2006 by Will CPT
Re: Re: Fiddle strings
Agreed as to any string would be better! Dominant is a great place to start, but also consider Helicores. They are steel, but I have had great success with them. I was surprised, actually.
Here's another discussion about strings:
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/5627
# Posted on April 18th 2006 by Jode
Re: Re: Fiddle strings
Dominant (Tomastic) have 3 different types of string type Stark, middle and soft, try a soft one is you can get your hands on one, they are fairly rare. Are you using the little plastic or fibber bush under the string as it crosses the bridge? The unfortunate truth about strings is you get what you pay for. Have fun
# Posted on April 18th 2006 by melodiouspaddy
Re: Re: Fiddle strings
Lenzner makes a nice mellow E string that I have come to love.
The rest of their strings are mushy and dead though so beware. Unless that's what you're looking for
# Posted on April 18th 2006 by _Steph_
Re: Re: Fiddle strings
Gold high E strings suck. They whistle a lot and need a very specific attack. I've gone back to steel. Sounds more "fiddley" too.
# Posted on April 18th 2006 by Farr
Re: Re: Fiddle strings
Strings are a highly personal thing, both to the player and the fiddle, but you still get strong opinions.
Trouble is, experimenting gets expensive. I guess a logical thing might be to try different brands of A, and get the rest of the set when you're happy.
Very few people seem really happy with their E string.
Personally I like Helicores a lot, I find Dominants too harsh.
# Posted on April 18th 2006 by TomB-R
Re: Re: Fiddle strings
I work at a violin shop with another fiddler (I do Irish, she does Scottish) and we both love the Kaplan Solutions E made by D'Addario. It's wrapped so it's a little thicker if you're used to the thin steel wire of 90% of all E strings. But it was formulated to stave off that annoying whistling. I think it does a great job, being mellower than most Es, although it's rather loud on my fiddle.
# Posted on April 19th 2006 by fhidileoir
Re: Re: Fiddle strings
If you can, try Warchal strings too - they're very good and have been developed by a people who use online forums and user trials for getting their strings tested out.
# Posted on April 19th 2006 by Mark Harmer
Re: Re: Fiddle strings
I might try that Kaplan Solutions E. Thanks for the tip.
# Posted on April 19th 2006 by Farr
Re: Re: Fiddle strings
love pirastro synoxas; around 33 quid a set; but keep their tune nicely and are easy for my numchuckka novice fingers to play, especially rolls , triplets etc.
# Posted on April 24th 2006 by madame bonaparte
Re: Re: Fiddle strings
Speaking as a Classical violinist recently turned Celtic Fiddler:
Super Sensitive Red Labels are about the worst I have EVER heard on ANY instrument! The only place I think they might be almost tolerable is on the "baby-sizes" of fiddle. It's the very cheapest brand, so they can say they sold you a fiddle "ready to play".
Thomastic is good, they've been out for at least 30 years- I remember them from my high school days. Finer, older, mellower instruments do very well with Eudoxas- from Pirastro, but they're also very expensive.
I tried the gold E string thing a couple of times, and was disappointed that the first one only lasted about 2 months of playing maybe twice a week. It broke. I had already bought a second one for extra, and that one went to an icky sound after about 3 months. A Symphony concertmaster- friend told me they really are intended for Classical concert soloists who change strings about once every week or two as a matter of course. I didn't think much of their staying power. And God in Heaven knows I can't afford to change strings more often than maybe 6-9 months. I did try a Kaplan Solutions E and like it fine- got rid of some of the sharp whistle I sometimes got.
I myself have always used the Eudoxas on my old beloved companion ( a Kriner from Mittenwald) but am considering trying a synthetic core set next time I make the plunge.
# Posted on April 25th 2006 by maestramusica
Re: Re: Fiddle strings
I'm currently using Obligatos and I put them on early last November. I'm playing a lot every day (I need the practice!) and having tried various other strings these seem perfect for me. They seem to have a lot of life left in them yet - if they last over half a year that's money well spent. The gold E is fine. They took several days to settle when I put them on - I suppose the tone doesn't develop until they've stretched and settled in.
# Posted on April 26th 2006 by RichardB