dpopefiddle - Posted - 06/26/2007:  07:24:16

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What type of strings are commonly installed for fiddling - steel or synthetic gut? I currently have Dominant on my new fiddle, but I have purchased a set of D'Addario Prelude. My fiddle is a Scott Cao stv-850 Soil copy. My bow is a Jon Paul Legacy.

bowbag - Posted - 06/26/2007:  07:44:40

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I've asked around about fiddle strings quite a bit. So many factors go into what strings you play, what type of music you play, the nuances of your fiddle itself. I'd say you can't go wrong with Helicores. Pretty cheap too. Right now I'm using Spirocores but I think I like the Helis more. I know quite a few people use Dominants but I'd say steel strings are more common. Try a bunch and let us know what you like!

Nice bow, I have a Jon Paul Arpege. I love it.

M-D - Posted - 06/26/2007:  10:11:21

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You're apt to get as many answers as there are fiddlers. I'm currently using gut.

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M-D

tobes - Posted - 06/26/2007:  12:45:49

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Of course it does depends on what sort of music you play and what you are used to - old time and bluegrass (what I am into) tend to prefer steels

I tried helicore mediums and could not stand them (they were just to light). So I went back to Prim mediums (ahh lovely steel cables). I am going to put helicore heavys on next time I change though (they are supposed to be more like the prim mediums) just to see what they sound like.

bowbag - what helicores are you using?

Toby

Twelvefret - Posted - 06/26/2007:  16:46:05

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quote:

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What type of strings are commonly installed for fiddling - steel or synthetic gut? I currently have Dominant on my new fiddle, but I have purchased a set of D'Addario Prelude. My fiddle is a Scott Cao stv-850 Soil copy. My bow is a Jon Paul Legacy.

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I really like Tomastic Dominants and D'Addario Helicores. I prefer the light Dominants on one particular dull sounding fiddler to brighten it up. The Hellicores are powerful.

IMHO, these strings requires less rosin than the less expensice steel strings. I use, http://www.prodigyinstruments.com/Index.asp, for all my supplies because of service, price, and no shipping.

chuck



Here is an archive of old time music from Berea College in Berea Kentucky, http://tinyurl.com/d5mnx

fiddlerdi - Posted - 06/26/2007:  22:26:34

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I am a big fan of Helicores, med gauge. I play outside a lot and they stay in tune well, wear well, and tune up fast if you break one. I will say that I happen (quite by accident) to be using a Prim A string. For some reason I have grown quite fond of it mixed in with the Helicores. I had broken my Helicore A and didn't haveanything else to use. It makes my A string brighter and stronger. I have in the past used the "gold" E strings but they wear out pretty fast. I sure do lie their sound when they are new. I've tried a lot of different strings and I am settled on the Helicores.

FiddlerDi

fiddlepogo - Posted - 06/27/2007:  05:18:24

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Thomastik Precisions.
They're a bit hard to find these days,
but Music 123 has them for around $20 a set.
They are loud, and seem to last forever.
They take a long time to settle in, at least a week;
they are very ringy when new.
So don't judge them first thing after you change strings-
give 'em a chance.
I also like the tone better than Supersensitives
or Prims.

My cross tuning fiddle likes D'Addario Preludes- they are not as ringy
as the Thomastik Precisions, and so they work better on the cross tuning
fiddle. They don't last as long as the Precisions
(especially the A string), but then, I don't play
the cross tuned fiddle as much.

Michael

http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1088

"We have met the enemy, and he is us!"-
Walt Kelly's Pogo

bowbag - Posted - 06/27/2007:  09:34:26

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quote:

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bowbag - what helicores are you using?

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I've only used the medium ones. Most recently I'm trying Spirocores with a Helicore A string. For some reason the Spiro A string resonated in a odd way on my fiddle so I put one of my old Helicores back on.

Jerry Byers - Posted - 06/27/2007:  09:41:35

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Okay, question from fiddle newbie.

When I change strings on a mandolin, it takes some time for the strings to settle, whether it be due to stretching, settling down in the bridge and nut, or composition changes. Should I expect the same for fiddle strings? I'm assuming I would see more stretching with gut or core strings. I'm sure rosin build-up affects things too.


_____________________________________
Jerry

'04 Altman M-F5 #5
'05 Mid-Mo M-2
*something new is in the works*

Buckstrips™ - Strings Without the Ring

Rachel Streich - Posted - 06/27/2007:  11:17:46

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quote:

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Originally posted by Jerry Byers

Okay, question from fiddle newbie.

When I change strings on a mandolin, it takes some time for the strings to settle, whether it be due to stretching, settling down in the bridge and nut, or composition changes. Should I expect the same for fiddle strings?

_____________________________________
Jerry

'04 Altman M-F5 #5
'05 Mid-Mo M-2
*something new is in the works*

Buckstrips™ - Strings Without the Ring

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In a word, yes

M-D - Posted - 06/27/2007:  11:19:46

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Yes, same for fiddle strings. Different brands/gauges stabilise differently, too.

_________________________________________________________________

M-D

dpopefiddle - Posted - 06/27/2007:  16:52:27

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I just replaced my dominants with helicores. I think I am going to like them. Already I can see an improvement in stabilty if nothing else.

nilejam - Posted - 06/27/2007:  18:43:25

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I know a lot of the old time fiddlers around here use steel strings also, but I just didn't like the sound on my fiddle. I had tried helicores and they were loud and stabile, but it seemded like all the overtones disappeared. A very flat sound. I do not play in a band and most of my playing is in a duet, trio or small jams and I find that I get plenty of volume out of the Thomastik Dominant with a Jargar Forte E.

As others have said each fiddle is different, and unfortunately the strings cost a bit more than guitar strings. Its tough to try out a bunch looking for the "right" ones.

jeff

hucktunes - Posted - 06/28/2007:  23:55:29

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quote:

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Originally posted by nilejam

I had tried helicores and they were loud and stabile, but it seemded like all the overtones disappeared. A very flat sound.
jeff

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Yeah, I didn't like Helicores for the same reason. No richness on my fiddle. But I have a friend that swears by them, and indeed gets a beautiful sound. I think that next time I'll try the Evah Pirazzis. 50 bucks a set, but what the heck.

Beware The Musical/Industrial Complex

StringAmp - Posted - 06/30/2007:  12:14:38

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The following sum up my impression on strings
All instruments are different and finding the right type of string is worth while - go ask a real violin maker for his experience if possible. Remember that a soft pull string can sound louder and sweeter than a strong pull string, if the instrument is getting choked by a high tension string. Do try inexpensive strings before shelling out for "the best -
It is OK to mix different string makes and even types if that is what makes you most happy with your sound.


Many fiddlers play steel strings like Prim´s medium or Orchestra- or other solid core steel strings. The sound is bright and can have great projection ( loud!) they can ring nicely through a loud acoustic band and are quite durable in the long term . Easy to play for a newbie, cheap to buy. Do not suffer much from weather changes- beware of rusting E strings though :=) it may slice a finger badly.
To keep them playing for as long as possible , clean the strings after playing , and occasionally wipe off finger crud and excess rosin with a slightly ethanol-alcohol-moistened cloth all along the string - If nothing else is around , I have used 100 proof Vodka! Don´t drip any on your violin varnish , though!

Solid core steel can be a bit harsh on a modest quality instrument, but can also kick some life in a muffled sounding fiddle.

Steel multiple core strings are more flexible , so have more finesse and response to bow and fingering nuances and a broader overtone content than solid cores, as do synth strings
Spirocore, Superflexible, Helicores to name a few.

Synth strings have a multi strand perlon ( nylon) core ( about 1-2000 filaments inside ) with a metal wrap of aluminum, chrome steel or silver, tungsten , copper etc.
E´s are nearly always steel , either plain solid core , or with a wrap.
Thomastik Dominants are the original standard perlon synth, with nearly all other makers emulating them to some degree.
Thomastik also makes the Vision , and Infeld blue and red synth strings which I personally like a lot better han the Dom´s.
Common to all these , they all come in several gauges ( actually measuring the string pull tension when tuned to pitch) and gauges can be selected to suit a lot of instruments.
Synth strings are even more flexible than steel multicore and can have a lot more nuance and response to the playing style , and many pro users prefer these for this reason .
They often need a little time to settle and stretch, so they lose pitch for a while, and may sound too screechy until settled and played in.
They do not last as long as some steel strings before they go dead and need replacing.

Gut strings are expensive and weather sensitive, and have more of the same tonal advantages as synth strings. Some like them better for that extra tonal finesse . I think very few fiddlers use these.

Check out the string makers websites like Pirastro, Thomastik, D´Addario, supersensitive etc. and this link : http://www.stringsmagazine.com/issu...rstory.shtml


the most accurate pickup is the string itself - plus StringAmp

Dick Hauser - Posted - 07/02/2007:  11:13:59

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If you are using open tunings, use strings with a metal core. Ropecore, Spirocore, and Heliocores fit the bill. I have read that they recover from the tunings faster than strings with a synthetic core. I had used Heliocores on my #2 fiddle, but I am switching to Spirocores. I was installing new Heliocores and the "A" string broke right at the wrapping. This never happened with my Reds or Obligatos. Did happen with Dominants though.

On my #1 fiddle, I have used Dominants, Infield Reds, and Obligatos. Right now I am using Obligatos. I was't crazy about the Dominants, but I like the Reds. Some instructors default to Dominants. But, there are lots of excellent strings available, and you will have to find something that you like. This only comes from trial and error.

I have a Scott Cao STV850. Made in China, but constructed of European woods. I am well satisifed. I have the Scott Cao, a Juzek, and a Yamaha "silent" fiddle.




gulfguy

scrubber - Posted - 07/03/2007:  11:37:21

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I've got Obligato strings on two of my fiddles and I'm quite pleased with them. I also like D'addario Zyex strings and have one fiddle with these (Obligato strings didn't yield the sound I was looking for on that particular instrument). Recently, I've been trying Violino strings -- they have less tension than the Obligato strings but with the same stability and response...

wormbower - Posted - 07/04/2007:  17:39:05

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My fiddle came with Dominants, but I thought I'd try Helicore mediums based on many recommendations. I've been told that Helicores will withstand tuning changes much better than the Dominants. I went over to the Southwest Strings catalog (since they are local for me) and see that they list two different kinds of Helicore string sets. In one set, the E string is steel; in the other it is listed as aluminum/steel. What is the difference, and which set should I order?

Paul

Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly. -Faith Petric

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Edited by - wormbower on 07/04/2007 17:39:55

wendelin - Posted - 07/04/2007:  18:56:00

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If you want your fiddle to produce the best tone it has in it play guts, impossible to keep in tune but nothing will sound better. After you exhausted from being tortured by guts you surrender to next best which will usually be Dominants and their ilk. Steel strings sound like steel strings. Little in the way of quality sound. Cheap is cheap. You get what you pay for. Also you get in the habit of hearing a poor tone and start figuring its your aqbilities when in fact its old steel strings coming home to roost. Don't scrimp on strings or rosin.

wormbower - Posted - 07/04/2007:  20:26:26

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Hmm. Well, I think I'm already torturing myself enough, so maybe I'll pass on gut strings, wendelin. Seems like a lot of people like the sound of the Helicores on their fiddles. What would you (or anyone else) recommend for someone who likes to experiment between various tunings (standard, cross A, cross G)? And someone who is still a beginner and has not yet gained a lot of bow control? My Dominants are sounding a little fuzzy, especially on the lower strings (of course, most of that is probably due to me).

Paul

Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly. -Faith Petric

Twelvefret - Posted - 07/04/2007:  21:37:07

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Just an FYI, you can buy single strings here http://www.prodigyinstruments.com/Index.asp

chuck

Here is an archive of old time music from Berea College in Berea Kentucky, http://tinyurl.com/d5mnx

BanjoBrad - Posted - 07/04/2007:  22:07:11

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Hey, Paul-

If you're gonna start experimenting with strings, can I have the ones you take off? That way, I can experiment on the cheap, which is the only way I can experiment with fiddle strings

(Someday, I will have to replace the ones that came with my fiddle!)


Banjo Brad
www.PricklyPearMusic.net
ezFolk Page

wormbower - Posted - 07/04/2007:  22:15:13

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Sure, Brad! For you, half price.

Paul

Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly. -Faith Petric

mike jarboe - Posted - 07/04/2007:  23:59:08

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Wormbower:

I play in cross-tunings, and I love the way Prims play and sound.

Ric Talerico - Posted - 07/05/2007:  00:24:29

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Worm..... I'm just like you in a way....starting out ...but I found out that if you learn in standard tuning you will be able to train your ear better ....Dont be cross tuning yet ..till you have it down with std, tuning..Ya know,,!!
Gotta learn how to crawl before ya run.....LOL...Stay with the Dom's strings.. They really bring out the true sound of your fiddle...in time you will "hear" it..But if you like it bright and sharp....go with the steel Prims..

Like Mr. Dan ...Play Nice!!!
Ric

woodwiz - Posted - 07/05/2007:  00:39:42

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Just an observation here. I work around violins and players of all levels every day. I am impressed by how much the same instrument can sound different in the hands of two different players. The difference is far more than would be provided by a change in strings.

I've also noticed how good players tend to sound "like themselves" no matter what instrument (or strings) they pick up.

In short, your own playing makes a lot more difference to how you sound than whatever strings you choose. Sure, you'll have your favorites - I do, but I play Dominants on one fiddle and Helicore heavy gauge on the other and I'd happily play Zyex or Pro Arte or Karneols, or a number of other brands and it just wouldn't make all that much difference to how I sounded to a listener in the audience. As long as they haven't gone dead or false and aren't screechy, the rest is up to me.

Michael R

"I ain't sayin' I beat the Devil, but I drank his beer for nothin."

wormbower - Posted - 07/05/2007:  01:05:43

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quote:

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Originally posted by Ric Talerico

Dont be cross tuning yet ..till you have it down with std, tuning..Ya know,,!!
Gotta learn how to crawl before ya run.....LOL...Stay with the Dom's strings.. They really bring out the true sound of your fiddle...in time you will "hear" it..But if you like it bright and sharp....go with the steel Prims..

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Hey Ric,

Thanks for the recommendations. I don't want to get the thread off course, but in some ways playing in cross tuning is actually easier than standard tuning, and helps even more with ear training because of the way the strings cross resonate when they're in tune. My teacher is the one who introduced me to cross A tuning (in my first and only lesson so far). And for tunes that only use the top two strings, it's identical anyway. You might want to give it a try. I know you do a lot of cajun fiddling, right? Maybe that doesn't use so much non-standard tuning (I have no clue). But southern old-time uses it a lot.

Anyway, I appreciate everyone's comments. It sounds like the choice is mainly subjective, and you never really know what's going to work best until you try it.

Paul

Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly. -Faith Petric

Ric Talerico - Posted - 07/05/2007:  01:10:42

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Hey Paul.......Thats why they call it a FIDDLE......Gotta Fiddle around with it.....and Fiddle somemore......LOL and just keep going and fiddle ......and fiddle... and fiddle...and fiddle,......

If a man does his best.....what else is there!!!!!
Thanks!!! Play..Play...& Play
Ric Talerico

loy - Posted - 07/05/2007:  09:33:28

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All 3 of my fiddles seem to like helicore heavys, really changed the voice of the ol cheapy Glasael for the better. Loy

fiddle and clawhammer banjo:priceless

tobes - Posted - 07/05/2007:  15:51:30

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Just out of interest how often do people change their strings?

M-D - Posted - 07/05/2007:  16:03:34

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Whenever I've worn through the aluminum winding -- about every two months.

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M-D

musekatcher - Posted - 07/05/2007:  18:53:20

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Anyone have experience with the windings prematurely breaking and stretching with Prims? I've had two A strings break this week, on two different fiddles. I wonder if I got two sets from a bad batch?