Fiddle Strings.........

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Posted by oldtimewine on Thursday, March 31, 2011

I need advice about strings. What are the best strings to get that deep old time sound? Every string i've tried has been too bright for what i'm looking for. I was looking at Prim but a local shop carries Helicore and Dominants. Thanks!

14 comments on “Fiddle Strings.........”

ChickenMan Says:
Thursday, March 31, 2011 @11:54:53 AM

do a search of the site in the upper left corner of the page. Search Black Diamond 7207

ChickenMan Says:
Thursday, March 31, 2011 @11:55:23 AM

much discussion. also just search string old time sound

Humbled by this instrument Says:
Thursday, March 31, 2011 @5:02:10 PM

This discussion is the best:
fiddlehangout.com/topic/20554

bj Says:
Thursday, March 31, 2011 @5:41:45 PM

What did Melvin use? You can probably suss it out by the silk color if Nancy Shill or Carl Baron don't know.

Most of the OT players stick with steel since they hold up better to crosstuning, and tend to last longer. You see prims, helicores, chromcors, spirocores, and piranitos most often, and sometimes red labels. I've tried most of them, and prefer the prims on my main fiddle, though I've also been liking the dogal red labels lately on my second fiddle. I've tried the BD 7207's and they're worth putting in the rotation, though they didn't suit my current crop of fiddles.

The real question is which strings sound best on YOUR fiddle? It varies from fiddle to fiddle. My main fiddle is a really mellow fiddle that the brighter prims balance nicely. The second fiddle is somewhat brighter but still mellow, so a midrange string is the better choice for that one.

WoodshopFiddler Says:
Thursday, March 31, 2011 @7:39:35 PM

I will not comment on this blog other than to say....................Prim.

oldtimewine Says:
Friday, April 1, 2011 @4:22:49 AM

I was laughing while writing this because of the amount of chatter it would produce. I have looked at most of the past blogs and i didn't get an answer but i appreciate the comments anyhow,lol.

bj Says:
Friday, April 1, 2011 @9:30:15 AM

Sometimes we get caught up in things we don't need to get caught up in.

fiddlehangout.com/myhangout/bl...ogid=5085

nfritzjr Says:
Monday, April 4, 2011 @11:46:53 AM

In my limited amount of fiddling time on this earth, I have used D'Addario Fiddle Strings #J90-One Set of 4 Strings
Un-Fortunately I already have broke the E , but that was because I am not very experienced with my tuning abilities and not the string quality. Lows are nice and full, but again I'm not experinced as others on FH
That said they sound decent and are reasonable cost wise
Here is the description from A'ddario:
New Fiddle Strings, 4/4 size, the ultimate must-haves for old-style bluegrass and country fiddling. Crisp, reliable nickel flat wound on a steel core. Brilliant tone and quick bow response, and are stable in tuning.
nf