I have several fiddles. I play all of them regularly, but a couple are special and get practiced/performed with more frequently.
Q: Does a string get stale from time tensioned and exposed, or from time of use?
What kind of strings, and how many hours a week/month do you play?
Synthetic core (Dominants and Tonicas); I practice 2/hrs per day, thanks to my wife.
The granny instruments are strung with Pro-Arte and Prim
My string-changing is largely driven by these durn government hearing aids...
Let's just assume a single fiddle gets restrung (regardless of string choice) and sits in the case, gets played an hour a week.
A copy with same strings changed at same time gets played two hours a week; which instrument needs changing out first?
I'd say playing is harder on strings than storage.
quote:
Originally posted by Flat_the_3rd_n7thLet's just assume a single fiddle gets restrung (regardless of string choice) and sits in the case, gets played an hour a week.
A copy with same strings changed at same time gets played two hours a week; which instrument needs changing out first?
Or, the one that gets played 2 hours a week typically would need changed first.
So, you think if I string one up with new strings, but hardly ever play it...
6 months later, the strings are just as fresh?
I believe that as long as you do not over tighten them, they will last. Lookup young’s modulus, that is the tension where the string becomes stretched without returning to its previous lenght. I replace my strings infrequently on multiple fiddles, never really seem to go bad.
Here's a better way to pose the question:
Instrument 1: restrung on day N, never played over a year
Instrument 2: restrung on day N, played 100 hours over 6 months
Instrument 3: restrung on day N, played 200 hours over 9 months
Are the strings in 1 better than 3?
Edited by - Flat_the_3rd_n7th on 09/17/2024 20:08:43
Strings can go bad as they remain under tension in storage, but they tend to last longer than strings that are in constant use. However, the conditions under which the instrument is stored play a large part in the longevity of the strings. Higher humidity speeds up corrosion of the winding, and the corrosion works its way into the core and degrades it. You can tell a string has gone bad when it loses its suppleness—it feels rubbery.
To potentially extend string life you could detune the violin a bit before putting it into storage. That way it would have enough string tension that the setup wouldn’t go out of adjustment but not as much as there would be under regular playing conditions.
quote:
Originally posted by Flat_the_3rd_n7thHere's a better way to pose the question:
Instrument 1: restrung on day N, never played over a year
Instrument 2: restrung on day N, played 100 hours over 6 months
Instrument 3: restrung on day N, played 200 hours over 9 months
Are the strings in 1 better than 3?
I'd say yes. Provided the never played isn't stored on a nail in a dank basement, or stored on a nail outside, or some place extremely wet, dry, or dirty. As others have said, it's good to slack the strings a bit, for long term storage.
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