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spongella - Posted - 09/29/2018: 04:57:51
I have a Pirastro Tonica A string, 1/16 - 1/32, medium. Can anyone tell me the significance of "1/16 - 1/32" is? String gauge? Also, does "medium" mean medium tension? Interestingly, this particular string does not fit a full size violin (4/4) so I am wondering if those fractions have anything to do with length. Thank you.
UsuallyPickin - Posted - 09/29/2018: 05:53:38
OK … in violins the fraction in my experience is an indication of the size of the violin the string is manufactured for. A full size violin is a 4/4 size instrument. Any fraction smaller indicates a violin for a child. String tension is a measurement of how much pressure is put on the bridge to bring that string up to pitch. The thicker the string the more tension required to being it to pitch when comparing G to G or E to E. The heavier gauge strings are also louder. More string mass produces more sound. That sound may or may not sound good on a particular instrument. Thus the great string search goes on whenever we players add another instrument to our collection. R/
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