RobBob - Posted - 03/19/2010:  07:58:15

Not to be confused with their Fiddle strings, those roundwound bow eaters, these smooth as silk chromium wrapped wonders sound and play great. They are thin enough to have fast response and louder than most strings I have tired. The tone is as clear and warm as any steel core string out there, and much more so than most.

I had gotten a set a couple of years ago and put them on that fiddle and loved them. I finally got some more and have taken off my Helicores and put these on my main axe. I love them. Hope Black Diamond makes them for a long time and does not change them. They are what I have been looking for in a fiddle string. Finding them is the only issue I have had with them.

rastewart - Posted - 03/19/2010:  08:06:24

Very interesting! I never knew Black Diamond made any but their one notorious line of strings.

I haven't put much wear on my newish Helicores yet and so far I like them very much, but it's always good to know about future possibilities. Thanks!

~Rich

woodwiz - Posted - 03/19/2010:  08:19:56

Black Diamond is now owned by the same people who acquired Super Sensitive. I played some Red Labels a little while ago, and I was favorably impressed. Good to know about the Violin strings. I'll try a set.

RobBob - Posted - 03/19/2010:  08:27:18

Woodwiz,

If you liked the Red Label, these are way better. I have installed Red Labels on students' fiddles, and there is no comparison. These are IMHO a great fiddle string at a reasonable price.

echord - Posted - 03/19/2010:  08:31:03

Yeah, but where can you get them?

baylady - Posted - 03/19/2010:  08:35:36

I just found them on Southwest Strings......a set for $4.50. [really?]

baylady - Posted - 03/19/2010:  08:43:32

After RobBob's caution about not confusing them with their fiddle strings, I went back and checked the listing again.....N4719S - Black Diamond Violin Strings

woodwiz - Posted - 03/19/2010:  08:58:30

quote:

---

Originally posted by RobBob

Woodwiz,

If you liked the Red Label, these are way better. I have installed Red Labels on students' fiddles, and there is no comparison. These are IMHO a great fiddle string at a reasonable price.

---

RobBob - Posted - 03/19/2010:  09:12:19

quote:

---

Originally posted by baylady

After RobBob's caution about not confusing them with their fiddle strings, I went back and checked the listing again.....N4719S - Black Diamond Violin Strings

---

baylady - Posted - 03/19/2010:  09:15:28

Thanks for the correction.....I thought 7207 might be the catalog # as listed by another company.

RobBob - Posted - 03/19/2010:  09:25:51

Let me relate a story about fiddle strings. I did an interview with the bluegrass fiddler Jason Barie for Fiddler Magazine. We always ask what equipment the fiddlers use. He said his band at the time had a GHS endorsement so he used GHS fiddle strings or D'Addario and liked them equally well. Well I tired GHS and I can say they are comparable to the BD Violin, but I like the Black Diamond string much better. They have more flex and better response and a much less shrill sound upon installation. Actually, one of the GHS strings broke very soon after installation. I have a student who bought a fiddle from me that had the Black Diamond strings on it and she wants to have them on her other fiddle as well.

Mobob - Posted - 03/19/2010:  10:40:18

Where can these be purchased on kine?

RobBob - Posted - 03/19/2010:  11:31:12

I don't know who sells them on line. I would ask your favorite on-line store for them. If we all ask then they will be made available. No one knows that they are out there so no one is asking for them. If 3 or 4 people ask they will probably stock them.

Edited by - RobBob on 03/19/2010 12:31:07

mswlogo - Posted - 03/19/2010:  14:22:30

Google works.

amazon.com/Black-Diamond-Silve...00191WMQE

band-orchestra.musiciansfriend...=26016959

juststrings.com/bkd-n719.html

music123.com/Black-Diamond-Sil....Music123

echord - Posted - 03/19/2010:  14:30:06

quote:

---

Originally posted by mswlogo

Google works.

amazon.com/Black-Diamond-Silve...00191WMQE

band-orchestra.musiciansfriend...=26016959

juststrings.com/bkd-n719.html

music123.com/Black-Diamond-Sil....Music123

---

RobBob - Posted - 03/19/2010:  14:30:16

Don't buy those strings! They don't say Violin 7207. All of those links are the "silver plated" Fiddle strings. They are entirely a different beast! Not good. I am talking about BLACK DIAMOND VIOLIN 7207 strings.

Mobob - Posted - 03/19/2010:  14:37:50

I found them at musiciansinconline.com for $17.84 a set.
Bob

RobBob - Posted - 03/19/2010:  14:44:54

Yes Bob, they do have them. Here is the link:

musiciansinconline.com/product..._id=15579

baylady - Posted - 03/19/2010:  14:52:39

Thanks! I couldn't find any info on the site re: international shipping.....so I've contacted them. [will post their reply]

M-D - Posted - 03/19/2010:  21:40:00

Here's another link, but I believe it to be the same company.

aoksupercenter.com/product_inf...cee885730

ghopper - Posted - 03/20/2010:  09:59:08

I too noticed the sites look very similar in web design and functionality. There were pricing differences in the shipping calc tool. I ordered a set from AOK.

Thanks for the recommendation.

M-D - Posted - 03/20/2010:  11:24:56

There seem to be perhaps a half-dozen of the same-but-different sites.

RobBob - Posted - 03/21/2010:  05:53:03

ghopper,

Let us know how you like them.

ghopper - Posted - 04/11/2010:  20:20:24

I finally got around to installing the BD 7207's. All strings were quite responsive as reported. The slightest touch of the bow produces a clear tone for sure and they seem to stay in tune thus far without a fight. The E string sounds very good in particular.

The package is labeled medium gauge. However I found the 7207's noticeably smaller in diameter than the Zyex or Helicore mediums that I am accustomed to. The A & E strings sounded fine to my ear, but my perception of the D & G seemed not as loud in comparison to the Zyex that were on the instrument. Maybe the thinner gauge? Maybe the fiddle? Perhaps both. I've only had the strings on for a couple of days, and I've heard some strings may take a week to settle in to their character.

I should add that I didn't install the BD's on my best fiddle, as the current set of Helicores still sound great. A better evaluation might be to swap the strings between the 2 fiddles, not sure I'm up for that at this point. Maybe when the Helicores wear out, if I haven't put to many miles on the Black Diamonds.

I'll likely purchase these again depending on longevity, and the price make these strings very compelling. Thanks for the recommendation. I'd really like to try a heavier gauge, but I didn't find a heavy gauge offered. I'll be interested in hearing reviews from others.

M-D - Posted - 04/11/2010:  21:31:20

I got a set (actually two), and I like them . . . a lot. They're what RobBob said, and they also stabilised very quickly. Now, to see how long they last. That, to me, is the only remaining criteria. If they do, and Black Diamond will consistently make the same string (or have them made to the same standard of consistency), I'll buy them again and again.

No, I've not tried them on my cross-keyed fiddle, so dont know how they'll stand up to being tuned AEae. That's what the second set is for . . . when I get around to it.

RobBob - Posted - 04/12/2010:  05:21:35

Based on my experience they will get better sounding over the next couple of weeks. I have one student who has had a set on her fiddle for nearly two years. She keeps it cross tuned and does not play it that much so that may be why they lasted so long. She got another set for her other fiddle. She has been traveling so the jury is out on how well that new set worked for her but I haven't gotten an email saying otherwise.

clawhammerer - Posted - 04/15/2010:  07:44:30

I got mine on my fiddle the night before last and so far and very pleased with how they're breaking in. Only spent about 15 minutes the night before then got to spend about an hour last night.

The high end is really clean and clear and the low end has oomph but is still clear.

"Can you hear me now??"

MarkS - Posted - 06/20/2010:  12:37:14

Put on my new Black Diamond 7207 strings this morning, two re-tunes across all the strings as they stretched, but after the second retune they held their pitch for a 25 minute playing session. Right away the fiddle came alive with a bunch clearer low end, and more punch on the top end. I really enjoyed the in-your-face A. There is still warmth in the tones but I noticed I had to move toward the fingerboard a smidgen to get the tone I am looking for. They may mellow out over the next couple of days, but I loved the responsiveness of the string right out of the package.

I had my son play my fiddle for me, and I thought the strings brought something to the table that was previously lacking from it. Seemed to get more overtones and harmonics from it. My son said as well he felt the strings were more responsive to the bow too. Thanks RobBob for the heads up on these... I like 'em!

RobBob - Posted - 06/20/2010:  20:22:22

Glad you like them. I did a recording session a month or so ago and was happy with how they worked in that situation. They have a great tone. I have noticed a slight sound when playing outdoors in high humidity environments. I think it has to do with the rosin and ambient adversity.

bj - Posted - 06/21/2010:  05:55:43

I guess these will have to be next up in the rotation for the fiddle I have that is still "dating". Thanks, all, for giving your feedback. Gives me even more confidence moving forward, though kudos from RobBob are high praise indeed!

transplant - Posted - 06/21/2010:  06:54:32

quote:

---

Originally posted by RobBob

I think it has to do with the rosin and ambient adversity.

---

M-D - Posted - 06/21/2010:  07:25:51

As long as Black Diamond continues to make these strings, as they are, I'll use them. I much prefer them to Prim, and other such strings of steel. Let us hope BD doesn't get the big idea to make changes, in order to "improve" them . . . which is often a euphemistic con-job for cutting corners, and trying to convince the buying public to believe the contrary.

Glad you brought this to our attention, RobBob.

RobBob - Posted - 06/21/2010:  08:08:07

Shucks folks, I'm just trying to fiddle without breaking the bank.

M-D - Posted - 06/21/2010:  08:34:55

Always a consideration, and these strings do that, plus offer the tonal considerations you've mentioned, RobBob. Besides all that, I like that they're BD brand.

RobBob - Posted - 06/21/2010:  08:36:50

Me too. They are coming out with a new clawhammer banjo string too.

M-D - Posted - 06/21/2010:  09:05:13

Good to know. I'll alert my banjo seconds, and Lukey, the Banjo Lord.

ironworker - Posted - 06/21/2010:  14:26:48

based on Rob's recommendation, i have talked Don Leister (best luthier around these parts, and proud FHO member)
to stock and use these strings.
his calls to suppliers met with the same old reaction you'd think- "BD strings? are you serious?"
my first sets will go on 2 fiddles to replace some 8 month old (dead) helicores.
can't wait!
hope to see some of you at Elk Creek,VA this weekend.

michael ford

bj - Posted - 06/21/2010:  19:16:41

I'm curious. Are they still made in New Jersey?

Jane showed me a photo of the original factory outside New Brunswick NJ (home of Rutgers, my alma mater.)

captainhook - Posted - 06/22/2010:  14:02:10

No. They moved to Florida and, I believe, are now part of Super Sensitive.

RobBob - Posted - 06/22/2010:  20:10:58

They are owned by the Cavanaugh family who also owns Super Sensitive, National picks, and some woodwind concern. What I meant to say is I do not know where the strings are actually made. They could be made in Florida but then they may not be made there.

captainhook - Posted - 06/23/2010:  15:12:42

By the way, RobBob, where do you and your students get your 7207s? Any place local or do I have to order them?

RobBob - Posted - 06/23/2010:  17:02:47

Lyle,

I have an arrangement to order them.

RobBob

M-D - Posted - 06/23/2010:  17:29:38

I've gotten only good service from aoksupercenter.com/product_inf...s_id=3902

mandopickr - Posted - 07/03/2010:  21:46:18

I was in Orlando, and broke an A string. After calling about every music store in town, I found one who "had a box of strings somewhere". They were all Red labels, most single strings. I paid $8 for a set of mediums, and he threw in another A string. I just recently put them on, and I thought they had a great fiddle sound.

RobBob, what can you tell me about the comparison of the BD to the Red Labels in terms of tone and projection.

RobBob - Posted - 07/04/2010:  05:56:54

Mandopickr, the Red Labels are a thicker string and bit more shrill than the BD 7207 when you first put them on but I have heard them mellow very nicely. They still are not as dark as the synthetic core strings but they do have IMHO a very good fiddle sound. SS has changed the Red Labels recently with new ball ends a smoother polish on the wraps. I have put them on student's fiddles with good result and have tried them on one of my fiddles. The BD being thinner and more responsive win out for me though.

shellyrat - Posted - 07/06/2010:  18:23:20

tried to order a set from aoksupercenter.. they told my they didnt accept my kind of credit card. Its a master card capitol one. everyone else accepts it.
I checked and there is plenty of room on it. Got frustrated and went on amazon and ordered prims. I sure wont get helicore heavys again. didnt like them from the time I played them. the a was bad from the get go. It broke yesterday. I had steve put them on my good fiddle. I took them off about two weeks after I got it and put them on my ebay fiddle and put the helicores med on my good fiddle from steve. I liked the med helicores.
hopefully I will like the prims
kathy c in ky

musekatcher - Posted - 08/10/2010:  07:32:53

Thanks for the set of 7207's Robbob. After playing them a LOT over the past week, I can say they hold tuning very well, cross tuned well, and haven't gone dead yet, dispite being outdoors most of that time. I imagine my hands were pretty greasy and salty since the water was cutoff most of the time at <you know where> so they got plenty of opportunity to corrode. I did have a whistling problem at first, but either they settled down, or I managed to adjust my attack. They remind me of SS's Premiums. I played them this morning, and they tuned right up, played nice fifths, and by all accounts, made good music. I'll be watching for how long they last under my conditions.

RobBob - Posted - 08/10/2010:  08:04:28

Oddly enough the one thing I found is that they are not as loud as Premiums or Helicores but they do have a sweet sound for a steel core. I put some Helicores on a fiddle that I had BD 7207 on for six months and my wife said I was too loud. So they may get softer over time. I don't know. Glad you like them, I found them to be well worth their price.

ChickenMan - Posted - 09/03/2010:  23:02:00

I LOVE the tone I get on my old German factory fiddle. It's like I dream it should sound.