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I was wondering how can i tell it is time to change my strings? I have had my violin since the 29th of august and have played everyday but 3. for at least 2 hours a day. Do you think it is time to change them?
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Have you noticed a difference in tone or response?
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Actually thats a good question because I've had my strings since about 2005. Thing is I had a massive break from violin in that time so I can't tell if the sound has changed 
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I don't really have a great answer. VNewbee, if you had new strings on at the end of August, your strings are probably fine. Chinny, you need new strings, lol. Strings slowly stretch and lose some of their ringing tone. After a while they may seem to come out of tune more quickly. This is of course relative to how much you play. But even if you put new strings on your violin, and then put it away in a closet for a year without playing it, you will probably need new strings because they will have stretched out.
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Oh man time to visit the music store again... considering my strings have been with me for almost 6 years now LOL!! I'll just buy the same strings I've got on at the moment: Pirastro Tonica (Medium I think). No objections against these strings right?
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violinnewbee24 said:
I was wondering how can i tell it is time to change my strings? I have had my violin since the 29th of august and have played everyday but 3. for at least 2 hours a day. Do you think it is time to change them?
I used to play 40+ hours a week and didn't change my strings more than 3-4 times a year. However, many say that you should after 150 hours. I disagree. When your strings won't play fifths, when they make weird sounds (that can be hard to tell as a beginner). When the string is dead and doesn't vibrate as long. These are some of the signs that you might need to change.
Chinny said:
Actually thats a good question because I've had my strings since about 2005. Thing is I had a massive break from violin in that time so I can't tell if the sound has changed
You need to change.
Well, in any case, if you can afford it I would recommend it.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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For sure change your strings every few months at least. Violin strings sure are not cheap though. Not six years Chinny 
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Yea that's why I never visited the music store if I could help it. We only have 2 real violin music stores here. One's a total rip off and the other is ages away. I think they charged me like $20 - 25 for an E string once. Might be better off buying them online or something
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That is crazy. The E string is the cheapest string. I pay $4 for an E string. Definitely try to buy strings online if you can.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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My strings have begun to sound almost hallow which i thought was weird but i do have the strings that came on it which is the cecilio cvn 200 and it did come with extra strings. At first i thought i might not have enough rosin on the bow so i put some on but it still does the hallow noise. almost like blowing in a paper towel tube sort of sound. Is this normal?
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Well, it could be that your sound-post is not straight or in the right place. Also the bridge needs to be straight so that the feet are as flat on the top as physically possible. The bridge should also be in the right position. Check the little slits on the f-hole to make sure that the bridge lines up with them.
The best thing you can do is show it to someone who really knows his stuff, preferably a luthier. Where do you live violinnewbee24?
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Barry said:
also you can check by measuring from the inside edge of the nut (the little block the strings go over at the peg box) to the bridge. It should be 13 inches. On most violins that point is the slits in the F holes. The reason I mention this is on my first VSO it wasnt the case, off by about a quarter inch, once I made the adjustment it sounded so much better.
True. I didn't think about that. LOL
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Barry said:
Chinny said:
Yea that's why I never visited the music store if I could help it. We only have 2 real violin music stores here. One's a total rip off and the other is ages away. I think they charged me like $20 - 25 for an E string once. Might be better off buying them online or something
When you shop around online for strings try to find free shipping, theres a few out there. Ive noticed strings going for the same price on different sites but the shipping varies alot
I dont think many stores have free shipping to Australia 
most of them con me into visiting because they have free shipping.... within America ==!!
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Doesn't Perth have some good local music stores there? I visited your neck of the woods a fews times about 15 years ago and found guitar strings no problem. Times change though. I travel quite a bit so need to order stuff online a lot. One site is musiciansfriend.com that ships to a lot of places. I don't think you will find free shipping unless you have a big enough order. When you find a place call them to place an order instead of just filling out the online order form cause you can alway negotiate.
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not music stores.... only the ones that sell violins are an issue. Got plenty of guitar shops around though
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I never thought to check the bridge.
So i decided to loosen the stings and straighten the strings and bridge all together it seemed to help. The feet on the bridge were up on one side by just a hair so im guessing that was part of the problem. Thank everyone for the help!!!!!!
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violinnewbee24 said:
I never thought to check the bridge. So i decided to loosen the stings and straighten the strings and bridge all together it seemed to help. The feet on the bridge were up on one side by just a hair so im guessing that was part of the problem. Thank everyone for the help!!!!!
You're very welcome.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I just saw your new video for halloween it was great!
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Speaking of strings. I found in an old violin case I purchased, a few sets of gut strings, no windings on them, just pure gut. I have been tempted to put them on and try them out but they are more than likely over 100 years old. They might just explode on me.
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Kevin - don't even waste your time. Even the best pure gut strings aren't very good for much more than baroque and such. Those will be dry and probably pop right away.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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