The Player's Lounge / Bowed Strings & Things / STRING TALK - Chat about Bowed Instruments

Prelude vs. Fiddle strings

Wiking — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:15:14 GMT

What is the difference between the "Prelude" and "Fiddle" strings? Is there a difference in the construction? I couldn't tell by looking at the product specs.

F-String for a 6-String Violin

Pioden — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 08:16:55 GMT

I'm looking for a source that sells F-Strings made to about 13 inch length (a full size violin), for a 6-string electric I recently got. The F that came with it has a very low tension, and the pitch isn't easily stable. I don't even see an F for a 5-string viola, and I thought I'd at least see that.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Pioden :blink:

string quartet sought

acoustamatix — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:43:10 GMT

i'm an honours student researching the ways that genre-mixing can enhance popular music production and i've written several songs which i am recording and producing in six combinations of genres (12 genres in all)

i have mixed electropop with classical and to that end i have written a string quartet accompaniement to that song and i am looking for an interested quartet of collaborators to record the work (in return for an agreed fee)

i am in dundee but i can travel anywhere in the uk to record (i will record via a usb interface onto a laptop if required), that is not a problem and i can provide the scores as and when from now

please pass on this message to anyone who you believe might be interested, you can contact me on 0605866@abertay.ac.uk

Screechy A string on cello

cellomom — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 09:04:21 GMT

I cannot stand the sound of my A string. It's not mellow. It screeches. I have had the cello only 3 months. I purchased it on ebay. It is a new very cheep cello. The original strings were very nasty sounding. Changing the strings really helped, all but the A string. I'm not new to playing but have not played in about 15 years, before that I played for about 20 years on a Roth 550 student cello. What can I do? Is there another type of string I can use, or might this be a problem with the build of the cello?

Bass string tension

Mic — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 04:21:17 GMT

Hi

On the double-bass strings, b[b]etween hybrid and orchester ligth tension model[i][/i][/b], there's a small difference of tension only on the A string (62,5 on orchestral model and 63 on the hybrid model). Can you explain me why?

Unicore, where are you ??

jbap — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:23:23 GMT

Hi ! I'm a french cellist, and I really like to put a Unicore string on the D. It's actually a very popular string, why did it disappear from D'Addario's catalogue ? Does somebody know anything about it ??

pickups

eastside_isaac — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 15:23:46 GMT

hullo anyone who reads this thread!
i recently invited a violinist to play with myself and my cellist; we play indie/pop type stuff with a heavy emphasis on melody and acoustic sounds (i play acoustic guitar). i am wondering what we need to be considering in terms of amplification.

should my strings (violin and cello) have pickups? if so, i know fishman makes great stuff...any suggestions?

or should we save up for electric instruments? i've seen electric violins and electric cellos that sound surprisingly authentic and are easy as hell to amplify and travel really well through weather.

what should we do? money is certainly an object, but depending upon how serious our performance becomes, we're willing to invest in our sound.

any info would be greatly appreciated!

cheers,
-isaac.

Everything Cellos

SamTheCelloMan — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:47:30 GMT

Hi, cellists everywhere, lets talk about cello's.

string ends don't fit bridge.

reep — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 18:58:02 GMT

I'm looking for advice on a bass string problem. I've built a four string 25 1/2" scale bass from a Telecaster guitar. Most of my initial set-up and testing was done using a temporary set of long scale strings. Inevitably, the winding failed at the machine head, but since I was ready to put on my permanent strings, it didn't seem important. I had purchased a set of strings from Fernandes made for their shorty Nomad Travelbass....the only bass string I've found in the 25 1/2" scale length. When I went to put them on, I discovered that the barrelled end of the strings are wider than standard, and won't drop into the saddles of my Schaller bridge (the only one I could find with narrow enough spacing for the Telly neck). The size isn't that different, so I'm considering dressing the sides of the barrelled string ends with a diamond jeweller's file to coax them in. I paid dearly for these strings (about 110.00 by the time UPS brokered them into Canada!) so I don't want to do something that'll create a cluster. Any thoughts on this....Am I on the right track, or flirting with disaster? Any other suggestions? Thanks

bass string buzz

Frank — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 06:40:28 GMT

I am experiencing buzz on my bottom strings This occurs. when I am releasing the stopped note/notes.

I have adjusted truss rod, string height at the nut and the bridge. What else is there to tweak to eliminate this annoying rattle.

Premiere Performance Sweepstakes

Administrator — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:13:40 GMT

Please check out our current online sweepstakes in conjunction with Eastman. Enter now for your chance to win:

Andreas Eastman Model 305 Violin Outfit (includes violin, case, and carbon composite bow)
Year's supply of D'Addario Zyex strings
Kaplan Premium Rosin
20 Archives 12 Stave 48 page Spiral Books

Enter now here: http://www.premieresweeps.com/

E-string for 16" 5-String Viola

bachlava_9 — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 16:40:17 GMT

I just got a 5-string 16" viola that is tuned CGDAE (lowest to highest) and I'm having trouble locating e-strings that are made for this kind of instrument without resorting to guitar strings. Help!:crazy:

violin shoulder harness

centrifuge — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 13:49:19 GMT

In the mid- to late 1990's, I saw an electric violin with a harness instead of a shoulder rest at one of the D'Addario violin shows in Manhattan.

I am trying to find a harness like that, or who made that violin.

I saw Shar has an electric violin that doesn't need a shoulder rest or chin rest. But what I want is a harness for my acoustic violin. I've been playing many years, but now I have a neck injury.

Violin helicore strings

terry1 — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 08:30:29 GMT

Hi folks

I'm in the process of making a ultra modern 5 string electric 4/4 violin. I will not be using the convectional method of using pegs or guitar machine tuners. So the basic information needed is how much stretch should I expect out of the strings until either in tune or expected breakage. Would you say a inch or 3 inches. They are medium weight strings if that helps.

Helicore Cello A String Problem

deaf cello — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 14:10:51 GMT

I am using a set of Helicore Medium Tension 4/4 cello strings. The D, G, and C were fine after about a week's break in . Before that the pitch changed on the up and down bows and the D sounded a bit muddy . I liked the G & C as they sounded louder and rounder than the previous strings I was using and seemed to respond with less bow pressure.

I had problems with the A which was buzzing so I took the cello to a luthier.

He adjusted the saddle, planed the fingerboard, straightened the bridge, replaced the bridge parchment for the a and d strings, replaced the tailpiece (the screws on the tuners weren't working), adjusted the pegs, and reglued the fingerboard and all the seams on the sides of the cello.

The A string stopped buzzing and the cello was much louder but I could not get a full sound out of it all the time. Sometimes it squeeked and sometimes it didn't reverberate sometimes it sounded tinny. I switched it for a new Super Sensitive that I happened to have and this string sounds fine. I previously used Larsen A and D and am probably going back to those.

Do you think the problem with the Helicore A is a defective string or is it just that this particular string may not work well with my cello? I have a 40+ year old factory made German cello.

Looking for a new bow

newfiddler — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 13:34:34 GMT

I am looking to purchase a new bow. The one I have now is a brazilwood that came in the violin outfit. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what type of bow is better? (brazilwood, pernambuco, or carbon fiber) Any suggestions will help.

Thanks,

Jen

lyra

pjsim15 — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 20:14:45 GMT

I have a instrument called a cretan lyra. Any suggestion of what strings to use?

thank you,

paul

String buzz on bass

tkeneipp — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 18:28:46 GMT

I just installed a new set of D'Addario Hellicore Pizzicato Series bass strings. Other than starting to come unwrapped and getting a bit dull the previous set was playing fine (no string buzz). With the new set the G & D strings sing! I am loving it... but I am having issues with the A & E. They are both buzzing when plucked, even in the open position.

I installed the felt pads on both strings and it seemed to help the E string quite a bit, but the A is still out of wack. I should note that both of the problem strings are definately thicker than the old ones. Also, the problem is greatly reduced when playing any position on that string.

I play bluegrass, big band, folk and a bit of Jazz, so whlie I have a bow, I could not tell you what it is for, thus the purchase of the Pizzicato strings. This is my first string change and there are no luthiers around here to help me.

HELP! I have a gig in a week and practices all weekend.

Mellow Strings

BHSChamber08 — Thu, 17 Feb 2005 23:14:06 GMT

i'm looking for mellow strings...i have helicores on my instrument now and they have a sound almost what i'm looking for, but they're not quite as mellow as i want...i've always had daddario strings on my instrument and i've liked them...

just looking for mellow-er...

i have a gliga vasile violin...

thanks

Rubber washers that came with Prelude violin strings

Garu — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 05:03:13 GMT

I just purchased some Prelude j810 4/4 medium tension violin strings. Could anyone tell me what the 2 little rubber washers are for? They are 2 short black rubber parts with holes much larger than any string width or gauge and are not the ones that go on the strings at the bridge to prevent the strings from cutting into it. Thanks

New String Problem

Shelley — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 16:16:31 GMT

Hello,

I was looking for a richer sound from my violin and decided to give Pro-Arte strings a try. I rarely change strings, and when I put my new e string on and took it to tension it snapped 1/2 way between the bridge and the fine tuners. Was it something I did? It seems like it broke in an odd place. I put the old string back on without issue. I'm not sure what to do now; can I return the strings for replacement, or would it be considered my fault and therefore no replacement would be made? I haven't replaced the other three strings yet.

Thanks!

Hi Folks!

Polkat — Sun, 19 Dec 2004 23:30:19 GMT

What? I couldn't be the first poster here!? I'm sure others are playing D'Addario violin strings, so lets chime in here! Wanna know what string you're playing and how you like it (don't like it)!

I've had a set of steel core on my fiddle so long I don't even remember the model. It's time to change thm (they lasted well). I'm a swing jazz fiddler with a warm and loud (but not dark or brilliant) violin. I like that sound. What strings would you all suggest?