So I got the Prim Mediums and put them on my fiddle. I like them better than the Alphayues I tried before these and the strings (likely Prelude) that were on my used fiddle when I bought it. I found it interesting that they are noticeably thinner, likely because they are metal core and not synthetic. But really didn't affect playing. The winding is a bit let smooth and I actually found the very smooth winding, maybe they were flat-wound, of the Alphayues harder to play. They have less longitudinal friction on the string, and being a beginner, I found it hard to keep the bow moving straight. Sound wise, I find nice clear projection on the A and E without sounding at all shrill. I found the Preludes shill which is why I tried a synthetic core string. I found the Aphayes a bit "honky" with strong mids. The Prim G and E are more reserved, nice tone but warmer and not quite as much projection. I like the tone of all the strings and would have to say my only complaint would be the difference in projection between the A E and the G D. The A E are louder to my ears. Of course, I'm playing a student instrument and I'm a beginner so I can't be sure what's the strings, what's the instruments, what's the bow, and what's me.
When you get a chance to have someone else play it, you can at least judge whether the volume difference is only perceived up close.
Don't forget rosin, barometric pressure, humidity, relative operator health. Sinus conditions can change how one hears.
Prims do need a bit of settling in. But they are the most stable/inert strings I've found. I recently tried Preludes myself. I thought they were better than most reviews, but they still aren't Prims. I want a fiddle string more than a violin string so I stay away from synthetic core strings. Prim's: Stable. Trouble free. Long lasting. I've made one set last 6 years. Probably not recommended.
quote:
Originally posted by farmerjonesDon't forget rosin, barometric pressure, humidity, relative operator health. Sinus conditions can change how one hears.
Prims do need a bit of settling in. But they are the most stable/inert strings I've found. I recently tried Preludes myself. I thought they were better than most reviews, but they still aren't Prims. I want a fiddle string more than a violin string so I stay away from synthetic core strings. Prim's: Stable. Trouble free. Long lasting. I've made one set last 6 years. Probably not recommended.
Years ago a friend gave me a copy of a CD he made. He said the Prims on his fiddle were two years old at the time he did the recording and they were still on it when we played tunes that day. I'd say they last. As will Jargars and Chromcor. I use a mixed set of string to get the sound I want. Heiicore heavy G, Prim D, Precision A and a good quality E. I like Lisa E and most of the Pirastro E's. This subject to change with the uncertainty of import prices at the moment, but I have enough new strings squrreled away for a good while.
Indeed, RobBob, but then what stays the same. I am also curious to see what happens to the price on imported violin strings.
I have used and like Prim strings. They produce a nice clear bright tone. I have also used Helicore strings. To my ear they are a bit darker than Prims. I am currently playing Dominant strings with a silver G and D an aluminum A and a gold-plated E. I do like the tone, but the price is about three sets of Prims. Each fiddle I have likes a particular set of strings. I play mostly 'grass Gospel and old country songs and tunes. I usually change strings about twice a year. Play on! R/
Always love a good String Topic! My teacher uses Prims but his fiddles are nicer than mine yet still sound warm and dark...and my fiddle with Helicores sound thin. I'd like projection and warmth. Do any of you play Heavy Strings? For guitar, seems most use Medium so I figured Fiddle was similar? Fiddle strings are too hard to experiment with. But I'd love to try Prims on my next set up.
quote:
Originally posted by ErockinAlways love a good String Topic! My teacher uses Prims but his fiddles are nicer than mine yet still sound warm and dark...and my fiddle with Helicores sound thin. I'd like projection and warmth. Do any of you play Heavy Strings? For guitar, seems most use Medium so I figured Fiddle was similar? Fiddle strings are too hard to experiment with. But I'd love to try Prims on my next set up.
Evidently you're not using Helicore heavies? I instantly broke a helicore string in a day or two. People told me to go up to heavies, as many have done. I was miffed on the Helicores so I haven't done this, but you certainly can if you prefer the Helicores.
Yes, Helicores are thinner than most other strings, so people that use them often choose heavy gauge. With Prim, everybody I know uses mediums.
BTW, I've always used light gauge acoustic guitar strings, and some light mixture on mandolin. I like the feel and the sustain compared to medium. I do have a Taylor guitar that's set up for mediums, and doesn't work with lights, but I don't play it much.
quote:
Originally posted by DougDYes, Helicores are thinner than most other strings, so people that use them often choose heavy gauge. With Prim, everybody I know uses mediums.
BTW, I've always used light gauge acoustic guitar strings, and some light mixture on mandolin. I like the feel and the sustain compared to medium. I do have a Taylor guitar that's set up for mediums, and doesn't work with lights, but I don't play it much.
Good to know on the Heavy Helicores. Maybe I'll try those next! Yes, I use lights now on my Martin. I used Mediums when I played full time. When I slowed down and played in the studio or for fun, the lights were way more pleasing to play. Recently I had 20 frets re-fretted and boy does it play like a dream!
I tried Helicore heavies, didn't like them (or those threads they call mediums). Long lasting, true sounding Prims for me.
I like Prims. They are stable, durable, and they sound good on my fiddles.
Mandolin strings are relatively inexpensive so it's easy and fun to try something new & different and just dump them right away if you don't like them. But violin strings are expensive so it's a financial challenge to try lots and lots of different strings. I did try a few different strings -- the chart published by Shar was quite helpful in selecting ones to try. And I was definitely not a likely candidate for the $$$$ strings -- I don't know what makes those strings so good and I probably wouldn't appreciate their wonderfulness if i had them!
quote:
Originally posted by StraboI like Prims. They are stable, durable, and they sound good on my fiddles.
Mandolin strings are relatively inexpensive so it's easy and fun to try something new & different and just dump them right away if you don't like them. But violin strings are expensive so it's a financial challenge to try lots and lots of different strings. I did try a few different strings -- the chart published by Shar was quite helpful in selecting ones to try. And I was definitely not a likely candidate for the $$$$ strings -- I don't know what makes those strings so good and I probably wouldn't appreciate their wonderfulness if i had them!
Probably 22 years ago, I tried Thomistik infield mandolin strings on my mandolin. They were about $24 a set back then but they are over $60 now. I suspect they use one of their violin string technologies to make them. How did they play? Absolutely like butter. They were the easiest to play string I ever used on my mando. I believe they were a semi-flatwound. I love how they felt. I loved the tone. But, they weren't very loud and I don't have a very loud mando so they were not appropriate for folk styles like bluegrass where you need something punchy. So, at the price they go for, I never went back to them. But let's says I was playing jazz and had a pickup and an amplifier. For that use, I'd absolutely love them.
I used Prims for a number of years because they were as good as described above for all those reasons. They were quite a step up from Super Sensitives. They were more expensive but the cost was well worth it. Playing Tonikas now.
I know it's far from a popular viewpoint, but of all the string brands I've tried over the years I've fiddled, I probably like Prims the least. I just don't like how they feel under my fingers. They've never generated as good a tone for me as most other brands.
