Well, part of the joy and wallet pain is the search for "what sounds best' on a given instrument. Do make a trip to the store and talk to the luthier that worked on your fiddle. The Helicore brand is a good choice for cross tuning. Prim is another solid core string that many players like. Try the titainium string and let your ear decide. You can also just plan to replace the aluminum A regularly. As you play your taste in tone may vary a bit over time. So auditioning new strings may be an on and off again thing. Lastly make sure you keep your fingernails short. They will cut the soft aluminum used to wrap the Helicore A string. R/

In the distant past when I used Helicores, I always bought a couple of extra A strings for the very reason you describe. Now, on a particular fiddle I play, it was a nice bass response but a weak E string, so I use Pirastro Wondertone E, which now makes the fiddle sound more balanced.

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Originally posted by Quincy

Would you change a string just because you can and want to find out what it will give or would you say no, that is just wasting money?

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Changing strings is the easiest way to make an adjustment that can be reversed without doing something to the instrument's setup. If you don't mind spending the money to experiment, it's fine to do so.

My only caveat would be that string sets are carefully engineered to work together, so mixing and matching (aside from the E) can work against you more than it helps, as different brands use different formulas, string tensions, and thicknesses. That means that the bow response may change with individual strings as you switch, and that can decrease playability. Some of the cheaper steel string sets are probably a lot more similar than synthetic sets are, but Helicore is not that similar to any other steel core set except in sound. Because string tension affects the character of the sound, manufacturers go to great lengths to optimize the individual strings so they will perform at their best when put on an instrument and with a proper vibrating string length. Once that tension changes with the addition of different strings, it throws off the balance and changes the character of the whole sound spectrum, not just the individual strings. By the same token, changing the E string is common practice, but it's worth noting that the choice of E string will impact the whole range of the violin, not just the notes in its range. 

I'd recommend trying the titanium A when it arrives. If you find that you really like the A you put on as a replacement, you can always switch back.

If you find that you're looking for a change in the sound balance, have the soundpost adjusted. 

How long has it been since you've changed your strings? It sounds like it may have been a while, and it's good to update them, usually between 6 mos and a year of steady use (if they're steel). Why not give the titaniums a try? It might be worthwhile though, to figure out what kind of A string this is that is working for you now.

Anja - I'd put on the titanium string - that way the whole set will be Helicore, and (hopefully) will work well together. As far as what strings the shop put on your Stagg, you could ask them, or there are charts online that identify strings by their silk colors. House brands and cheap Chinese strings may not be included though.
Regarding longevity, the most durable srtrings are probably those with a solid steel core, which also often have "chromesteel" (a form of stainless steel) windings, which of course is much tougher than aluminum or silver. Every company makes a string like this - Thomastik Precision, Pirastro Chromcor and Piranito, and some like Prim and Jargar specialize in this type of string. D'Addario makes the Prelude, which has nickel windings, and aluminum on the A string. Some people don't like the sound or feel of this type of string, and they are often considered a beginning student string, but this is what was most commonly used by American country fiddlers, often Supersensitive Red Label (now made by D'Addario). Synthetic core strings have only been around for about 50 years, with Dominants being the first. I think stranded steel core strings like Helicore are relatively recent too, but I don't know for sure.
Hope this helps you understand strings a little better.

Well seems like you've gotten some good advice here. Good luck figuring out the best fiddle strings.

I never could stand to have any different strings on any instrument...if I had one missing because I couldn't afford to buy the whole set (which happened all the time in my past poor ol' days), I just had to quit playing until I could muster up the cash for all new strings...maybe it's just me, but I can't stand to play if my strings are behaving differently on the same instrument.

It's really kinda bad that fiddle strings are so expensive...keeps so many people from finding out what they really like, I guess. I'm still not sure what I like because they all seem so different.

I used the titanium A in Helicores when I used them. They are not nearly my favorite strings and I haven't used them in a long time. Jargar, Chromcor, or Flexocor Permanents (which are what Helicores pretend to be) are much better.

I'm sure there are folks who can hear the difference, but I don't think I would hear if I had an odd A string mixed with the others. Especially while I'm playing. Just too subtle for me to recognize it. Perhaps if I "studied" it, but...

I play with Jagars and Prims nowadays. I favor the overall warmer tone. And - I could never get the Helicore medium A string tuned to pitch when it starts to fail.

Indeed. I never could get Helicores to last. Prims are ridiculously durable! Like over ten years. But they are expensive. Sorry, but I'm running D'Adario Preludes. They have a similar construction as Prim, at a third the price. If they're student or beginner strings, I guess that's what I am?

Wow, thanks to all of you! Especially Rich, that was a very interesting explanation. The titanium strings I got now, I will certainly try to put one on tomorrow when it's daylight.
I will play safe in future and try to always use strings from the same set. I am convinced now that I too want to believe that is the best. That I really need to concentrate to put on strings myself if I want to do this right I will put aside. Because if I look at the rest of the strings, at least last time I did a good job. It does not look messy anymore and I got the nice cross on the beginning of each winding.
So far I still like the Helicores!

No matter what, changing strings, whether just new of the same or a different set/brand, will change what you are hearing from fiddle. Some find fresh strings to be too much of something, but they "mellow out" after some frequent playing. I clean my strings regularly (Prims) and they seem to be pretty consistent in tone through their life. When they become difficult to tune or don't hold their tune (often the D is where I hear it first) that's my cut to change them. Since I gig outside weather permitting, my Prims can wear out over the summer due to high humidity and likely dirty/sweaty hands.

I guess with guitar you can use Finger Ease to get those strings lasting longer in heavy use and bad weather...although I can't play too well when there's fresh Finger Ease on those strings...lol...I mean, it's like somebody took the brakes off the fretboard...start to go for a chord up the neck, even just a little ways, and you find your hand popping way up to the 12th fret likkety split. Like...whooops! But anyway I do think it protects the strings to last a lot longer if you can stand to play it with that stuff on there. I guess you wouldn't dare put anything like that on fiddle strings...rosin plus finger ease would sound like a horrible matter vs antimatter reaction...kinda like having an Ovation and Martin in the same room or something. It's just so bad that fiddle strings cost so much...don't know how to protect them from the rigors of life on a fiddle.

Farmerjones - Just to correct your math - checking the site of only one supplier (which is easy to navigate), Prim are less than $35, while Preludes are 20 bucks. That's 75% more, not three times as much. A friend once gave me a set of Martin Bluegrass violin strings, which I think were rebranded Preludes. They were playable, but for $14 more, Prim are a real bargain.

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Originally posted by DougD

Farmerjones - Just to correct your math - checking the site of only one supplier (which is easy to navigate), Prim are less than $35, while Preludes are 20 bucks. That's 75% more, not three times as much. A friend once gave me a set of Martin Bluegrass violin strings, which I think were rebranded Preludes. They were playable, but for $14 more, Prim are a real bargain.

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OK. Musicians friend (same dealer for argument sake) Prim set: 39.99. Prelude set: 19.99. So 50%.  You win! 

When these Preludes ware out, it's been 3 years and still going, I'll decide then.  It depends if Prims last twice as long, and at what price in the future?  The only thing I know, is Prims last about ten years for me. 

MF is a little high on Prim. I was looking at Johnson strings - SW strings is sometimes cheapest, and they have them at $31. Point is its not that much of a difference. There are other qualities to consider besides longevity, like sound quality. I've tried them both and like Prim better, plus they also last a long time (years), although I don't play very much these days.
I like D'Addario as a company, and have used a lot of their guitar strings. A close friend of mine worked for a time with Jim D'Addario designing violin strings, and it was a good experience (Although I didn't really comprehend the piles of spreadsheets he showed me late at night). I'm sure for their purpose and price Prelude is a good string. I just prefer Prim, and they are not really so much more expensive.

Sorry, yet Another string question…

I had an unraveling string so I replaced it.

But the other 3 strings (obligato) have been on for 14 months…
Should I replace those 3 now too?

The new one finally settled down and argh, I can’t imagine the tuning if I change the other 3 all in one day!!

Does y’all change all 4 strings at once if they are fairly old?

I used to be a nutcase when it came to regularly changing strings on my steel string acoustic guitars, but even when the winding begins to get a little loose & worn on my fiddle strings I still seem to wait forever to replace them. It's only when the winding starts to actually unwind do I truly begin to think about it. And oh yeah, my banjo strings are currently getting a bit ugly, too.

NCnotes - When you replaced the string did you use another Obligato? Do you notice a difference between the new one and the other three? 14 months is a long time, especially for synthetics, and the fact that one unraveled suggests that the others are failng too.
I usually change all four strings (one at a time) but I use steel strings and they settle much faster and are more stable too.

NCNotes, I change all of my ukulele strings in one sitting and they take over a week to hold a tune, dropping many steps each time the retune is needed the first several times. Your strings will settle in much quicker

I use gut strings on one of my ukes, but my source has retired and I don't know what I'll do from now on. I don't play that one very much though, so maybe it won't be an issue immediately.

14 months is a very long time for any synthetic set, especially one with longevity issues. I’d change the set at this point. While break-in used to be an issue, most sets play in pretty quickly by comparison these days.

What do you like about the Obligatos?

Once I made the huge error of changing strings immediately before a show. I was doing something with Jay Unger and the Fiddle Fever crew, and I wanted to sound my best. I changed all 4 strings like 1/2 hr before going on stage. WHat a mistake!! Even with all steel strings, I was retuning after every song, so embarrassing!

Wrench13, whew!! Being on stage with Jay Ungar is already quite nerve wracking enough!

Thanks-
Ok I will bite the bullet and change the other 3 this week! Ack. Lots of tuning lies ahead. I did notice that the string I changed is more loud/resonant, but I think I was compensating by hitting it more softly…

Re obligatos-
I like a ‘warm’ sound and I like the Obligatos because they are very smooth and easy under the fingers, quick response, and sound warm and smooth. When my fiddle friend played mine and I was standing four feet away, I was blown away by how nice my fiddle/violin sounds! The gold obligato E squeaked a lot for the first few weeks…Drove me crazy! But either my bowing adjusted or the string mellowed out…E has a sweet singing sound now, no more weird squeaks.

I have never tried steel strings!? I grew up playing on Pro Arte. When in chamber groups I was trying gut. Then when I started fiddling outside, tuning the gut strings all the time got so annoying…so for now trying obligatos. I might try steel strings someday, for fun! Or maybe just try somebody’s fiddle that is “wearing” steel strings…:-)

And if I ever get another fiddle, the whole string search/trial begins again? Sheesh! :-D

NCnotes - Going from Pro Arte to Obligato is quite a jump in price. Like trading from a Chevy to a Cadillac! Did you ever try a Buick or Pontiac, like Warchal Amber or even Tonica?
I doubt you would be happy with steel strings, but you could give them a try I guess. I'm curious - do most fiddlers in the ITM world, or even at your session, use synthetic core strings, especially very expensive ones?
BTW, I started out with gut strings 50 years ago and I can see why they would be frustrating outside (and they are much more expensive now too).

I know! obligatos are so pricey, which is why they have been on for 14 months and counting…

As a student playing on Pro Artes, I loved my G and D, A was ok, and always hated my E string sound! Both upper strings were much louder and harsher than the lower strings.

Then I was playing baroque stuff and they wanted us to use gut strings, so I put those on and liked the sound... mellow, softer, more even across all 4 strings…and I no longer hated my E string…

Then during covid I switched to playing folk …outside…and was tuning the gut strings constantly! Obligatos were described online as the closest you can get to gut sound/feel (with more pitch stability), so I tried those…and like them so far.

Other trad fiddlers I asked are on Dominants…I haven’t met a steel string user yet? But many are “dual players”…i.e. orchestra on Sunday afternoon, session on weekday nights... :-D

When discussing strings, one person when asked said, “I don’t know.” We said,”you have never changed your strings?”
He said, “no.”
We said,”maybe it’s time!”
He is a soft player…so maybe that’s why his strings can last for years!!

Anyway yes, so many strings to choose from! Experimenting gets expensive but I have heard good things about both Amber Warchal and Tonica. I did try Dominant on 1 string, but found it to take more effort to play…using a light fast bow, the obligatos respond/sound better…

So, I don’t know what I am doing…but after using Pro Arte, gut, dominant and obligatos, the Obs are the best so far…

And Sorry for thread hijack, Anja! :-)