hey just want to know how often ppl have to change strings...
coz my strings on my violin broken last week when i was tuning it...
(the D string on the violin,it was a dominant string but it had been used for 1 year already...)

actually, professional player change theirs every 6week. even if you use dominant, you need to change it no longer than 4months, because the strings would not sound right after a time.

I change my strings about once every three months because they start to get a bit worn! (I use Dominants )

If I remember I change all my strings once a year.

I generally get through about 3 A strings and 2 E strings every year though because the As fray and the Es snap!!

I use Dominant A, D and G strings but I use a Pirastro Eudoxa for the E string (I don't like Dominant Es, I think they sound tinny.)

I probably don't change mine often enough, but a lot of (good) violinists I know wait until they break!

Violinia

QUOTE (Juliachex @ Feb 20 2005, 10:36 AM)

actually, professional player change theirs every 6week. even if you use dominant, you need to change it no longer than 4months, because the strings would not sound right after a time.

cause they're actually quite expensive....
so i don't change them until they breaks

so how much is a set of the most expensive strings in the world??

My strings.........only a month old.......... showing signs of breaking ...................

I spent £40 on my last set: Pirastro Obligator. The most expensive are probably about £60 - Pirastro Gold Diamond Supreme Utterly Splendiferous or something. But look, if you changed a set of £40 strings four times a year, that would be £3 just on strings alone! I know it doesn't sound a lot, but with everything else you have to fork out for, changing strings that often seems a bit excessive unless you're a top concert performer.

When they start to sound a bit lifeless, that's the time to change them, after making sure it's the strings at fault, not your playing! Sometimes the weather can make strings sound lifeless, and then a bout of warm damp weather can bring them to life again.

As for string sthat seem as if they're about to break after a month - invest in better strings! No decent strings would do that.

Once I bought some pure gut strings and was horrified to find that they frayed and started falling apart after one or two playings. Weird! No wonder they started making metal ones.

Violinia

QUOTE

When they start to sound a bit lifeless, that's the time to change them

I also use Pirastro Obligato and find that their life span is pretty good. If the weather is fairly temperate (no wild swings in temperature or humidity) a set of strings will last for about 4 months. Bearing in mind the instrument is played on average for 3 hours every day, or longer if there's an orchestral rehearsal or performance - that's a long life for a set of strings.

Generally I can tell the point at which strings are starting to sound dull, but you'll also find that old and tired strings will no longer tune to perfect 5ths. ie. the open strings might sound in tune, but if you were to stop a D on the A string for example, and then put your finger in the same place on the E string in order to play an A, the note would probably sound a bit flat.

I usually advise my students change their strings once every six months (for those that actually do some practice), and once a year for those who's violin only sees the light of day for their lesson

I use Dominants, I haven't changed them on my viola yet as I got the viola at the end of October, but I'm going to change them soon. But my violin, htats a different story, I've had the violin since 1999, and I haven't changed the strings once , but I'm going to change them when I get new violin strings.

I use dominants. And i dont change them till they snap! I spent £50 on a set of strings once, and they werent anything special! Set of dominants is about £30 where i work.

QUOTE (Eleanor @ Feb 21 2005, 09:25 AM)

My strings.........only a month old.......... showing signs of breaking ...................

Yes, I suddenly noticed my E string is about to snap today and it's not more than a month old.

I think my E string is a bit rusty and old...
>< but it is a dominant string!!
should i really use a pirastro instead??

QUOTE

should i really use a pirastro instead??

If your E string tends to rust, then it is an indicator that any sweat from your hands is corrosive.

It might be worth trying a Pirastro Oliv, gold-steel E string. Which is essentially a steel based string plated in gold, but, the plating won't last forever, the gold will eventually wear off with use, so you will need to replace the string regularly.

E strings are normally the most short lived of all. I know of some people who will change their E string every other month.

QUOTE (AmandaL @ Feb 22 2005, 01:31 PM)

It might be worth trying a Pirastro Oliv, gold-steel E string. Which is essentially a steel based string plated in gold, but, the plating won't last forever, the gold will eventually wear off with use, so you will need to replace the string regularly..

How much do pirastro Es cost? I am fine with dominants for other strings, but... well let's say I could use a little help on the E string! lol. So I do wonder if investing in a better quality one might be an idea...

QUOTE

How much do pirastro Es cost?

Depends on where you buy them from, but if you hunt round the online shops they're normally around £5 to £6. Which probably isn't that much more than a Dominant E string purchased on its own.

Well I got my viola in 2000, had it strung then, and only changed them yesterday...I've had to change my A string a few times though because it frays more easily than the other ones. Do they usually sound tinny when they're new?
jess

QUOTE (AmandaL @ Feb 22 2005, 01:31 PM)

E strings are normally the most short lived of all. I know of some people who will change their E string every other month.

Eh? I've had the same E string for 6 years!!

QUOTE

Eh? I've had the same E string for 6 years!!

Ahem! Time for a change!

Violinia

actually my D string snaps when i tune it using the fine tune....
the E is above to snap...
but A and G had some wonderful sounds....

QUOTE

actually my D string snaps when i tune it using the fine tune.... the E is above to snap...

What is everyone doing with their strings?????!!!!!

Have you overtuned them with the tuning peg already? There's a very fine line between how much tension the string will take and the breaking point.

Also, when you put a new string on tune it UP rather than taking it past the point and back down again. Otherwise there is unecessary stress and it is liable to break immediately.

It shouldn't take synthetic cored strings long to settle. A couple of days usually - if the instrument is played regularly of course.

What's the best way to tune using the pegs? I've just got new strings fitted so I've got to tune them more than usual and just wondered because knowing me I'll do it wrong and something will break!

QUOTE

What's the best way to tune using the pegs?

Very carefully!!

As you turn the peg, you should also be pushing the peg slightly inwards. This stops it slipping back as the string tension increases. It's better to have to keep tuning the strings up, rather than overtightening them.

Overtightening can also shorten their life, as they get stretched futher than the core of the string is designed to go.

If the tuning pegs are slipping, put some Hidersine paste on them. If they are slipping badly, get the instrument to a repairer and have some new pegs fitted.

um i change my e string regularly, every month say. the others need not be changed so often

QUOTE (BachViolin @ Feb 26 2005, 01:56 PM)

um i change my e string regularly, every month say. the others need not be changed so often

every month??
but wouldn't that cost a lot??

My E string broke when i was performing on the stage.
thank god i wasn't playing alone, so i pretended to play and i don't think anyone noticed!

QUOTE (intr0 @ Mar 5 2005, 03:35 PM)

My E string broke when i was performing on the stage. thank god i wasn't playing alone, so i pretended to play and i don't think anyone noticed!

I hated that when it happens!!
Imagin when you're performing as a soloist with the orchestra playing one of the violin concerto and one of the strings break during your performance!!
It happens once to me so I'll have to use up to like 10th,11st positions on the A strings to get the high notes!!
Has that happens to anyone like in my exprience??

hi, thought i'd add my comments for what it's worth...
i used to use dominants but i find them a bit loud and brassy - i play at home to amuse myself, so rooms are small. The last set was helicore, but stringmail.com (ooops am i allowed to say that?) recommended a kaplan e and it's lovely. don't know what their other strings are like, so i've got a mixture of helicore and kaplan.

cheers
phil