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ARCHIVED TOPIC: E string

Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.fiddlehangout.com/archive/56535

BetteB - Posted - 04/05/2022: 08:33:26

I have a good quality fiddle and have been using Pirastro Evah Pirazzi strings for several years. But the E string sounded thin so I tried others included gold plated types. Still sounded thin or weak compared to my other strings.

I searched and found fiddlershop.com that sells Peter Infeld "PI" by Thomastik and one review that said it made his E string warm up. So I parted with the $ and bought a gold-plated one (they also come in 2 other materials).

As soon as I played the first few notes I was SO glad I bought it. It is balanced in strength and warmth with my other strings. SO much better than any other E string I have tried (been fiddling for 15 years). HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS E STRING.

Swing - Posted - 04/05/2022: 08:43:18

I agree that the Eva E strings are a bit thin... but having said that, I use a Piastro Oliv gold plated E string on all my fiddles... a great mellow E that lasts a long time.

Play Happy

Swing

KCFiddles - Posted - 04/08/2022: 15:20:41

Years ago, a soloist with the Boston Symphony recommended Jargar Forte .27mm E strings to me as her favorite. I tried them, and found that they changed the sound of my whole fiddle, as well as having a rounder, fuller sound than any standard gauge E string. I started making that part of my standard setup on fiddles, but not being a classical soloist, I tried the less expensive Goldbrokat .27mm E strings which were allegedly Heifetz's choice, and I can't tell the difference between them and Jargar, except the Goldbrokat cost a lot less. Almost everyone who tries the heavier E strings sticks with them. Worth a try, IMHO. Even if you don't play Evahs. I put them on with almost any standard gauge strings, but haven't tried them with heavy gauge sets.

doryman - Posted - 04/13/2022: 18:57:31

I've struggled with my E string. I ordered the Peter Infeld "PI" and the Goldbrokat .27mm E (gold). I'll let you know how it goes.

NCnotes - Posted - 04/18/2022: 14:52:38

Well, I'm joining this thread...

I took off my gut strings (A broke, G unravelled) and now have Obligato strings on. They sound lovely, except that the E (gold) whistles every once in a while!

I wonder, which E-strings in this thread could possibly go nicely with Obligatos?

It's ok if nobody knows! I can probably live with this E, get used to "working around" the whistle...I still haven't figured out what makes it whistle instead of play the note, but I think what happens is that people subconsciously adjust their technique...it's already whistling less than when I first started playing on the Obligatos, I think...but it is startling when you go to play a note and just get the empty whistling noise!

DougD - Posted - 04/18/2022: 15:29:19

NCnotes - The Goldbrokats are only a couple bucks, so it won't kill you to try one. I use them as replacements, but the .26 mm gauge. I didn't know they were available in different gauges until this thread.

KCFiddles - Posted - 04/18/2022: 16:20:56

Goldbrokats were good enough for Heifetz. Should be worth a try.

I learned very early on that squeaky E strings are due to a poorly fitting sound post, and can be cured by shaving the merest fraction off the edge that is binding on the sound post. I'd love to have a chance to demonstrate that on any fiddle that is having a problem with squeaky e strings. I haven't had anyone complain about a squeaky E since about 2010.

JonD - Posted - 04/18/2022: 16:28:06

I caught Tessa Lark and Michael Thurber in concert last week (she's not to be missed, by the way if you get a chance) and her fiddle sound was out of this world. I asked her about her setup and she mentioned using PI's but she also added that her instrument sounds good with whatever. Oh, and her instrument is a 1600 Maggini...

NCnotes - Posted - 04/18/2022: 21:15:04

That's fascinating about the sound post, KCFiddles. I have never heard that!

I read this on the Violinist forum...which I thought was interesting..."The olive E is a different formulation of gold plated string from the gold plated evah pirazzi e. However, the obligato gold plated e is the same as the olive e, except with a black color wrap at the tailpiece."

Edited by - NCnotes on 04/18/2022 21:17:56

doryman - Posted - 05/12/2022: 16:39:17

I wanted to report back on my experience with the E strings suggested above. For some background, I've never been satisfied with the way my E string sounds on my fiddle...thin and harsh to my ear. I've played around with a LOT of different E strings and even had a Luthier look at the sound post. She did a little adjusting and I think that there was some slight improvement because of it.

Given the advice above, I purchased the Peter Infeld "PI" and the Goldbrokat .27mm E (gold). I tried the PI first, and at first I liked it, but after a couple of weeks, either I got tired of how it sounded or it started sounding a bit harsh to me. It wasn't bad though, and it's definitely one of the best E stings I've used. I then tried the Goldbrokat .27mm E and, to my ear and fiddle, it's the winner. It's fuller and warmer than any E string I've tried. It's also pretty. I'm wondering if it's just the thicker gauge that's doing the trick for me, or if it's some Goldbrokat magic. I don't know, but I like it.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Edited by - doryman on 05/12/2022 16:40:23

KCFiddles - Posted - 05/12/2022: 18:11:14

quote:
Originally posted by doryman

Given the advice above, I purchased the Peter Infeld "PI" and the Goldbrokat .27mm E (gold). I tried the PI first, and at first I liked it, but after a couple of weeks, either I got tired of how it sounded or it started sounding a bit harsh to me. It wasn't bad though, and it's definitely one of the best E stings I've used. I then tried the Goldbrokat .27mm E and, to my ear and fiddle, it's the winner. It's fuller and warmer than any E string I've tried. It's also pretty. I'm wondering if it's just the thicker gauge that's doing the trick for me, or if it's some Goldbrokat magic. I don't know, but I like it.

Thanks for the suggestions.

You're welcome! Glad you like it. IME a good E string changes the whole sound of the fiddle slightly. I was having that same talk with a bass guy a few days back.

NCnotes - Posted - 05/12/2022: 18:21:01

Thank you for updating, doryman!

update from here...
I whistle less on the Obligato gold E, I think I got a little used to it and subconsciously have adjusted bowing, but it still catches me by surprise once in a while. I read that the gold-wrapped Es are especially prone to the whistling issue...there was an article about wound vs unwound Es and all the different E-string materials, I forgot all the details - but I remember the gold Es being on the "whistly" end of the scale.

Most of the time (when not whistling) the Obligato E has a sweet singing sound which I really like.
I think I'll wait till this E goes, then try Goldbrokat!