Quincy - Posted - 07/17/2022:  19:35:04

Because of a stupid accident I broke my E string, I really thought it was the right peg and it was kind of dark in the living room.
I'm not planning to go to the luthier nor the music store with their strings service this time.
I will replace it myself, I saw how the guy from the music store did it last time, I can do this.

I already noticed the luthier finds I should stick to the D'Addario helicore medium strings, I just want to see what else is possible.
I'm looking at an online shop and see I can buy a set of Pirastro Chromcor strings for 35 euro.
Maybe I'm stubborn, but who is going to withold me from experimenting with sound? And also: why?

It cannot be these helicore strings are the only strings that work well on this violin.

DougBrock - Posted - 07/17/2022:  19:59:08

There are a lot of string choices out there and it can be fun (and expensive, lol) once you get into it! Have fun (and be prepared to never know for sure - it’s hard to really know how a set you’re trying today REALLY compares to the set you used last year. At some point you’ll probably find a set that is good enough to stop searching. Or maybe not.

Edited by - DougBrock on 07/17/2022 20:03:13

Quincy - Posted - 07/17/2022:  20:36:52

I just ordered them. I read that you best start from the outside when changing strings, with G or E, since it's the E-string that is broken I will start there. Can't wait for my order to arrive. I'll be without an instrument till then.
I even have some pirastro peg compound here.
I hope I can do this.

Quincy - Posted - 07/17/2022:  20:49:05

Watching videos of fe The Online Piano & Violin Tutor and others ... ok I'm scared now.

DougBrock - Posted - 07/17/2022:  21:02:39

You can do it (string change)! There is some increased risk of your sound post falling over if you change all strings at once (that happened to me once when I bought a violin that needed a new tail piece. Trip to a luthier!), so generally best to change one string at a time. I’ve changed strings on a lot of different kinds of instruments, and the violin pegbox makes string changing more difficult than with most. I’ve found that a long set of tweezers can help. Being able to change strings on your violin is a skill that’s good to have. Good luck!

DougBrock - Posted - 07/17/2022:  21:05:59

Also, you should keep a spare e string with you to avoid this sort of down time in the future. Also, this can be an excuse to have a spare fiddle or two!

Quincy - Posted - 07/17/2022:  21:13:41

Thanks, Doug, let's hope luck will be on my side yes :-)

NCnotes - Posted - 07/17/2022:  21:27:51

When tightening up your E, turn your head away or close your eyes...

sigh, my violin teacher was fond of telling me this horrible story of how somebody's E-string snapped during tightening and blinded them in one eye! So I always look away when tightening the E...

Sorry to pass on the horrible story (and the anxiety). 

Yep, and just keep a spare set of strings in your case...can then Keep Calm and Play On! 

Edited by - NCnotes on 07/17/2022 21:28:06

boxbow - Posted - 07/18/2022:  04:07:13

quote:

---

Originally posted by NCnotes

When tightening up your E, turn your head away or close your eyes...

sigh, my violin teacher was fond of telling me this horrible story of how somebody's E-string snapped during tightening and blinded them in one eye! So I always look away when tightening the E...

Sorry to pass on the horrible story (and the anxiety). 

Yep, and just keep a spare set of strings in your case...can then Keep Calm and Play On! 

---

I wear prescription safety glasses for work.  Occasionally I've changed strings with no glasses and I feel exposed.  Having a pair of inexpensive safety glasses around the house is a good idea, anyway. 

kjb - Posted - 07/18/2022:  05:00:31

i don't like helicores that much good to try different things. just do one string at a time and check your bridge when you are done it should be about 90 degrees from the top.

farmerjones - Posted - 07/18/2022:  05:34:38

Not a fan of helicore strings, but D'Adarrio also makes Prelude strings, a similar construction to the more expensive Prim string. Best of Luck

DougD - Posted - 07/18/2022:  07:05:40

Lots of players use different E strings from the rest of the set. Since that's what broke, that's all you really need to change if the set is not too old. As others hàve said its a good idea to have some spare E strings, plus you can keep old sets as spares. I like the Goldbrokat E strings, and usually have a few around (somewhere).

RobBob - Posted - 07/18/2022:  07:28:19

I like Prim and their Lisa E is a good string, at least it works for me. The Goldborkat are good as well.

Sam Shazaam - Posted - 07/18/2022:  07:46:24

I use either Helicore or Zyex depending on the instrument. I suggest that you go to violinstringreview.com/ and see what might be best for you. Much depends on your instrument and what you want to sound like.

The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 07/18/2022:  11:36:30

Changing strings is the easiest way to change the sound of the instrument without affecting the setup. If it’s only the E string that’s broken, you could switch to just about any E. I always recommend the Goldbrokat, which works well with everything and costs very little.



Helicores are very metallic, and although they can sound edgy under the ear, they don’t project well. That’s less of an issue when they’re played in a small room or are being picked up by a mic. If you like them, you don’t necessarily need to switch, but if you’re ready for a change, there are definitely sets that will sound better!

Changing strings is something everyone who owns a violin ought to know how to do, and it's really quite simple. Always make sure each peg works smoothly when you change a string. Hill peg compound works well if applied carefully, and chalk can be useful as well. Put the end of the string into the peg hole, then wrap at least once on the side opposite the thumb piece before crossing over the tail and winding the rest of the way. Avoid letting the string bind against the pegbox walls, which can cause the string to break. Also, put a little pencil lead in the string grooves at the nut and bridge any time you have the string off to allow the string to slide in the grooves easily. 

Edited by - The Violin Beautiful on 07/18/2022 11:43:36

WyoBob - Posted - 07/18/2022:  16:59:11

quote:

---

Originally posted by Quincy

Watching videos of fe The Online Piano & Violin Tutor and others ... ok I'm scared now.

---

You've accomplished quite a bit since you started your fiddle journey.  You can do it.

I like Chromcor's (and Prim mediums) on my fiddles and I think the Chromcor E string works quite well (for me).   For a spare E string, the Goldbrokat seems to be a good one that has worked for many player's and I have one on  one of my fiddles.  It's good to have spares strings as has been pointed out.

I've tried several different string sets on my fiddles --- just because, like all of us, we're looking for what works best.   Several of my fiddle friends use Helicore's and like them but they all seem to order extra "A" strings.  I've tried the standard "A" and the titanium Helicore A string and --- I use Chromcor's  or Prims on my fiddles.  That's what works for me.  Everyone has different opinions and none of those opinions are wrong.   Many have found  strings that work on their fiddles.  That doesn't mean that they will work for you.

Quincy - Posted - 07/19/2022:  23:01:21

quote:

---

Originally posted by DougD

Lots of players use different E strings from the rest of the set. Since that's what broke, that's all you really need to change if the set is not too old. As others hàve said its a good idea to have some spare E strings, plus you can keep old sets as spares. I like the Goldbrokat E strings, and usually have a few around (somewhere).

---

Welll, today my strings will arrive, I will first change the E, but I really want to know how my fiddle sounds  with different strings this time. I'll keep the helicores aside as a spare set.

Quincy - Posted - 07/19/2022:  23:06:26

quote:

---

Originally posted by WyoBob

quote:

---

Originally posted by Quincy

Watching videos of fe The Online Piano & Violin Tutor and others ... ok I'm scared now.

---

You've accomplished quite a bit since you started your fiddle journey.  You can do it.

I like Chromcor's (and Prim mediums) on my fiddles and I think the Chromcor E string works quite well (for me).   For a spare E string, the Goldbrokat seems to be a good one that has worked for many player's and I have one on  one of my fiddles.  It's good to have spares strings as has been pointed out.

I've tried several different string sets on my fiddles --- just because, like all of us, we're looking for what works best.   Several of my fiddle friends use Helicore's and like them but they all seem to order extra "A" strings.  I've tried the standard "A" and the titanium Helicore A string and --- I use Chromcor's  or Prims on my fiddles.  That's what works for me.  Everyone has different opinions and none of those opinions are wrong.   Many have found  strings that work on their fiddles.  That doesn't mean that they will work for you.

 

---

Thank you WyoBob. Let's hope the chromcors will work on this instrument, fingers crossed.

I'm totally excited because this evening I can finally play, I'll never be without spare strings again!  It feels like someone cut off some bodily part, I'm constantly searching for my fiddle or planning to pick it up,  then I realize there are only three strings on it for the moment.

Quincy - Posted - 07/20/2022:  10:31:05

Bad luck, the delivery of my strings is postponed till Monday, first the tracking said they would be delivered today.
So after work I ran to the music store to at least buy another E-string, otherwise I can't play till Monday.
Now I tried and tried but I can't get it done, the green part of the string is now all curled, I don't get it.

And this all because I have a luthier who is classically schooled and just refuses to experiment together with me (Other strings? No bad idea. Want flatter bridge? Nopes sorry don't do that. What do you mean you are retuning your strings? Look as if you were nuts.)

I want to slap a bunch of classically schooled violinists NOW. For all the opposition towards fiddling I have felt so far.

The only place where I feel home is here.

And from now on it's not my VIOLIN anymore. This is my FIDDLE.

*** them!

DougD - Posted - 07/20/2022:  10:59:16

Calm down, Anja. Maybe the heat is getting to you?
As far as curling, the string has probably been wrapoed in a circle in the package and has taken a "set" in that direction. When you install it, its best to work with this "set" if you can, rather than against it. Don't be discouraged - the first time of doing anything often doesn't go perfectly smoothly.
As far as flat bridges and mistuning - those are not nearly as common as you might think (especially from your far away vantage point) from reading this forum. I use a classical shaped bridge and play only in standard tuning, and I know many great players who do the same.
Don't believe everything you read on the Internet!!
PS - Have you considered that its possible to make music with just three strings? Not as a permanent solution, but you only really need one.

Edited by - DougD on 07/20/2022 11:02:33

Quincy - Posted - 07/20/2022:  11:25:52

quote:

---

Originally posted by DougD

Calm down, Anja. Maybe the heat is getting to you?

As far as curling, the string has probably been wrapoed in a circle in the package and has taken a "set" in that direction. When you install it, its best to work with this "set" if you can, rather than against it. Don't be discouraged - the first time of doing anything often doesn't go perfectly smoothly.

As far as flat bridges and mistuning - those are not nearly as common as you might think (especially from your far away vantage point) from reading this forum. I use a classical shaped bridge and play only in standard tuning, and I know many great players who do the same.

Don't believe everything you read on the Internet!!

PS - Have you considered that its possible to make music with just three strings? Not as a permanent solution, but you only really need one.

---

Thanks Doug for your insight, I 'll try next attempt to pay attention to the direction.

It's not only the heat, I quit smoking 10 days ago...so sorry for my explosion.

But part of it is true: I feel opposition, I've felt that from the beginning on. It already started with the obligation to learn from the written notes rather than finding the notes with your fingers and based on what you hear.  And also: I asked the luthier for other strings, the answer was "no". It's MY instrument, shouldn't I feel free to experiment with other strings? I don't get it, when it sounds like fun, you can bet classical schooled people are against it. This is how it feels. I feel completely restricted this way.

DougBrock - Posted - 07/20/2022:  11:52:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by Quincy

It's not only the heat, I quit smoking 10 days ago...so sorry for my explosion.

But part of it is true: I feel opposition, I've felt that from the beginning on. It already started with the obligation to learn from the written notes rather than finding the notes with your fingers and based on what you hear.  And also: I asked the luthier for other strings, the answer was "no". It's MY instrument, shouldn't I feel free to experiment with other strings? I don't get it, when it sounds like fun, you can bet classical schooled people are against it. This is how it feels. I feel completely restricted this way.

---

Congratulations on quitting smoking! I hope you can keep it up! (My son's father-in-law has quit about ten times in the past year, so I know it's not easy!)

I mentioned a long set of tweezers. That really helps me get the string leader fed into the peg hole up inside the peg box. Also, before I switched to geared tuners, it sometimes helped if I pulled the peg back out of the violin a bit to make the string hole better accessible. It CAN be difficult getting strings in the right places, especially if some other pegs are already strung up. 

Odd that your luthier was so set against trying other strings! I've never met a luthier like that - the ones I've known were always interested in the effects of different strings on different violins.

DougBrock - Posted - 07/20/2022:  12:34:18

quote:

---

Originally posted by DougBrock

quote:

---

Originally posted by Quincy

It's not only the heat, I quit smoking 10 days ago...so sorry for my explosion.

But part of it is true: I feel opposition, I've felt that from the beginning on. It already started with the obligation to learn from the written notes rather than finding the notes with your fingers and based on what you hear.  And also: I asked the luthier for other strings, the answer was "no". It's MY instrument, shouldn't I feel free to experiment with other strings? I don't get it, when it sounds like fun, you can bet classical schooled people are against it. This is how it feels. I feel completely restricted this way.

---

Congratulations on quitting smoking! I hope you can keep it up! (My son's father-in-law has quit about ten times in the past year, so I know it's not easy!)

I mentioned a long set of tweezers (see attached pic - they don't need to be this long, of course, but these work nicely for me). That really helps me get the string leader fed into the peg hole up inside the peg box. Also, before I switched to geared tuners, it sometimes helped if I pulled the peg back out of the violin a bit to make the string hole better accessible. It CAN be difficult getting strings in the right places, especially if some other pegs are already strung up. 

Odd that your luthier was so set against trying other strings! I've never met a luthier like that - the ones I've known were always interested in the effects of different strings on different violins.

---

Edited by - DougBrock on 07/20/2022 12:35:06

 

Quincy - Posted - 07/20/2022:  13:48:51

Thank you Doug, that is really helpful :-)

I don't have a pair of tweezers like that, but I know where to get them, great idea! Now I understand what to do with them also.

pete_fiddle - Posted - 07/21/2022:  10:55:26

I don't think classical schooled teachers are against things, I think that they just don't know (and don't need to know),much more than they have been taught.

And anything other than that is out of their experience/knowledge and therefore they can't teach it.

And learning about the alternatives would be too much trouble for them to go to. Because what they are trying to teach works for them, and has worked for previous students for centuries.

But it doesn't work for folk who just want to play fiddle.....That doesn't mean that an aspiring fiddler cannot make use of the awesome knowledge and techniques that classical players/teachers have developed, and passed down over the centuries.

Quincy - Posted - 07/21/2022:  11:12:55

I meanwhile found this video:



youtu.be/laRhUfP6p2Q



I lacked this information (how to loop the string all over to the edge of the peg box so that the peg will pull the string inwards) , and I needed a close detailed view like here at 4:40-5:05.



I saw several videos so far , but this one was very easy to follow. I feel more confident now and will give it another try Monday when my strings will arrive. Oh and I am now playing three strings, I put some tape over the fine tuner fof the E-string to prevent unwanted noise. It works.

Edited by - Quincy on 07/21/2022 11:15:45

pete_fiddle - Posted - 07/21/2022:  12:11:32

This is where you find out if your pegs fit nice. if they don't you have to force them in while you are tightening....Then you have to get them near enough and use the fine tuners, or go to your luthier for a peg fitting...Before you split the peg box!

If it is a new(ish) fiddle then the pegs are probably ok though... Hopefully.

Quincy - Posted - 07/22/2022:  06:33:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by pete_fiddle

This is where you find out if your pegs fit nice. if they don't you have to force them in while you are tightening....Then you have to get them near enough and use the fine tuners, or go to your luthier for a peg fitting...Before you split the peg box!



If it is a new(ish) fiddle then the pegs are probably ok though... Hopefully.

---

You scare me hehe. I have some pirastro peg compound here, but the pegs turn smooth and all.

Maybe I should go back to my luthier , with my strings that will arrive and ask if  he puts the chromcors on it and lets me watch how to do this. 

Maybe if I stand there with these strings he cannot refuse.

Quincy - Posted - 07/22/2022:  07:16:27

My package arrived! I just put the E string on, but the string is not totally at the edge of the peg box, is that bad? I played it though, I LOVE the sound of this E-string and love how my bow feels on this string.

I want these other strings replaced too.

Don't wanna ruin this.

Edited by - Quincy on 07/22/2022 07:19:19

 

DougD - Posted - 07/22/2022:  07:50:42

It doesn't matter if it doesn't reach the edge as long as the peg holds OK. In fact that's safer, because what you DON'T want is for the string to scrape against the pegbox, because that can damage the string, and possibly also the violin. This is about the only serious mistake you can make when changing strings: If it slips, just try again. If you break the string, get another one. That's about it. A nice neat wind is pleasing, but not essential.

Quincy - Posted - 07/23/2022:  00:09:21

Ok here I am again, I kind of replaced the G-string and D-string as well, it doesn't look perfect, but I can play , now only the A-string needs to be replaced then I got 4 new chromcors on it.
But : I found this tiny little rubber piece, it has a round shape with a hole in it, it has only a couple of milimeter diameter.
What is it?

I'm still a bit scared.

Quincy - Posted - 07/23/2022:  02:34:47

Ok, back from the local music store, I called them and asked if their strings guy would have a look at the three strings I replaced so far and if he could replace the remaining A- string.
He said I did well for a first time and took his time to explain me how I can improve myself next time. He only replaced the remaining A string , the G, D and E could stay the way I winded them.
They didn't want to charge me anything for this.

These guys from the local music store are pretty cool, at least they completely understand my strong desire to learn to play folk and to experiment with strings.

I was afraid my fiddle would suddenly sound worthless with other strings, nothing is less true!