Posted by Andah1andah2 on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Well I admit defeat. When I changed strings a month ago to prims (which I really like) I went with a Gold Piastro E after using a Kaplin non-whistler. I knew I have a whistling problem but knowing it is usually due to poor bowing, I wanted to work through it. It became annoying because it started reducing my confidence in my playing. I also could not pinpoint what I was doing wrong to correct the whistling. I'd get whistling if I changed the bow pressure, angle, location, etc.
So I just put on a Pro-Arte wound E and bingo...no more whistling. Maybe it was a cop out, maybe my bowing issue will never resolve, or maybe something will get better over time. But I do know that, similar to fire alarm with a bad battery that incessently chirps to the point of driving you nuts, I can play with better sound and more confidence. Worth the 7 bucks.
4 comments on “Back to the ol' wound E”
OTJunky Says:
Sunday, September 2, 2012 @10:45:43 AM
This comes up a lot. I think this kind of decision depends a lot on what kind of fiddling you're doing.
IMO, the sound of the unwound E-string is really important for Appalachian fiddling so it's worth taking the time to learn to bow it. But for most other kinds of fiddling, the wound E-string works fine.
Of course, the over-riding rule is that we all have to do what works for us wherever we are along the trail. Playing with a better sound and more confidence seems like it has to be a good thing no matter where you are.
--OTJ
mudbug Says:
Sunday, September 2, 2012 @4:13:40 PM
Stew, pick up a beater, then you can keep a plain E on it for practice, while always being able to sound good on your main squeeze.
Ozarkian DL Says:
Sunday, September 2, 2012 @6:15:10 PM
ME....I'll stik wit tha wound "E's", I need all tha help I can get, LOL.
bj Says:
Tuesday, September 4, 2012 @7:52:38 AM
Steve has a good suggestion. I can't remember how or when I gave up the wound E, but I was ready and it was an easy transition. However, I do have one fiddle that sounds like hell without one. So it's worth doing a bit of 'sperimenting. At least E strings are relatively cheap.
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