What Strings Does Everyone Like? Options

[Rosie91]

I should restring my violin soon and just wondered what everyone's preferences are in terms of strings. I have only restrung my full size twice and both times have used dominants, but am open to experimentation, as long as it's not too expensive!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Thanks.

[katyjay]

Dominants for AD & G have been fine. For E I use a Hill Special - not so strident (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[_rai_]

yes, like katyjay, I always use dominant GDA strings. I currently use a Larsen Gold E though. Would be experimenting with a full larsen set soon, though. Dominant Es aren't too good... they've been too unreliable (occasionally producing that empty airy sound when I bow the open string).

Pirazzi's good too, if you like a darker tone.

[Ms.Fiddle]

I have Dominants on my Zeller which work well on it, even the E string which sounds very rich and full. Next time I need to change the strings I might try Obligatos or Karneols but that won't be for some time as the Zeller is now my back-up fiddle.

My Guarnerius copy I have fitted with Warchal Karneols which give a wonderful complexity of sound and play well from pp to sfz.
I do have a set of Warchal Brilliants which will go onto that violin when the Karneols need changing.

[janexxx]

Different violins like different strings. What suits mine might not suit yours and vice versa. It's a bit like trial and error but can be expensive if you keep buying different sets to try.

(I have had both Obbligatos and Pirazzi on Giuseppe. Both work well. Caprice has Dominants with a Hill E)

Dominants seem to work consistently well so I suggest you try those first. If you are happy then stick with them, if not try something else next time. And yes...use a different E. As Katyjay says, a Hill E is a good idea.

[lottie]

I put Obligatos on my Dad's violin and it sounds gorgeous. I have Pirazzi on mine and I don't like the E.

[LooneyTunes]

I started off with Dominants and have no complaints - as others have said, they are a good all-round string and not too pricey. I've started to experiment myself now!

I'm currently using Pirazzis on my 'old' violin - which work brilliantly and have definitely improved the tone/projection - and Obligatos on my 'new' violin - to give it a more 'mature' tone. You can get them for under £30 if you shop around on the internet.

The Pirazzi E that I have is a ball-end (I need a loop) so I haven't changed that one (not sure what the string is that is on there at the moment - it came with the violin and goes well with the Pirazzis). I have been recommended Pirastro Universal E by violin teacher if ever I need to change.

[Andromeda_Aiken]

I use Vision Titanium Solos. They're powerful and bright so it depends on your violin. It suits mine pretty well but I'd like a change of the E string. It whistles ALOT.

[Misterioso]

Any votes for Helicores? These have been my favourite strings so far, but maybe I should experiement a bit more.....

[primrose]

Any votes for Helicores? These have been my favourite strings so far, but maybe I should experiement a bit more.....

I like them for viola, but I'm beginning to think the sound is maybe a tiny bit ... well, one-dimensional, if you know what I mean. It's a good strong sound, but it isn't all that interesting. Does that make any sense?

[_rai_]

yeah, like primrose, all the violists in my orchestra use Helicores. One or two use Pirazzi, though. Probably isn't worth the price getting helicores for violin. Dominants are the best value for money, and even professionals use them.

[LooneyTunes]

Rather than re-posting here, this is the link to another recent thread about strings. In my post on this thread, there are links to two articles which you might find helpful.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[AmandaL]

I use Obligato for three reasons:

1. They give just about the closest sound to gut as you can get, without all the aggro gut gives in return.

2. A warm and well rounded tone that suits both my violin and my style of playing.

3. Their less strident volume allows them to blend far better in ensemble than Evah Pirrazi strings.

[Zhuologist]

I should restring my violin soon and just wondered what everyone's preferences are in terms of strings. I have only restrung my full size twice and both times have used dominants, but am open to experimentation, as long as it's not too expensive!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Thanks.

I've gone back to using Dominant G,D(silver)and A, with a Pirastro Wondertone E. This works really well for me. Good luck!

[hellokitty]

I like to use Corelli and Pirastro strings. I find they tend to suit my violin better than domiannts



HK