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Electric violin strings
String talk, spesific to electric instruments.
Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 (2 votes) 
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Carlos Quintero

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November 10, 2015 - 1:32 am
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Hi Everyone, my name is carlos and this is my first day as a member and first post on the forum.

Ive been serching a while on what strings will go best with my electric violin.  I understand and agree that trying them out myself is the best way to go, but therea an issue with that. See the thing is, I just baught my first decent qualityish violin, a cecillio electric style 2 in blue (super stoked) but i literally am on the road out of state (i live in Alaska) for about 3 months before i can go home for 1 week (if im lucky). I ordered my violin about a month ago and it arrived fast but since i have no shipping address  while working its at home. In the box. Untouched. Its kinda depressing. Anyways i hear from everyone that the strings that come with it are crap. So I have pretty much 1 shot to get a desent set of strings for the next 3 or 4 months.

 

In conclusion has anyone else found a set of strings for the cecillo electric that sound nice and warm w/ good bow response? 

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cdennyb
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November 10, 2015 - 2:56 am
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Welcome to the family Carlos... On behalf of all the senior members here I have to say, you've chosen a disease for which there is no cure! Some of us have been playing and practicing for over 4 yrs now and ever day is a new experience filled with joy and confusion, sadness and triumphs.cheers

I started learning on an acoustic and before long I had acquired 5 acoustics and one electric 5 string. A couple are very very old. I have two more electric 5 strings on their way which I will be installing the newly made fretted fingerboards on which I now mfg. blink

On the acoustics (for future reference should you decide to get one) I have had cheap steel strings, Zyex synthetic core, Helicore, Tonica, Pro Arte, Preludes and a couple of others that escape my memory. Out of all of those, I have to say the most dramatic difference I achieved and for the better was the Zyex strings.

Now, on the electric, they don't rely on the violin itself to assist in making a good sound so you find that only the string, the nut and tailpiece, and the strings themselves coupled to the bridge will make a sound vibration for the pickup to reproduce. That brings us to the next thing that influences our choices. The pickup can be magnetic pickup coil type (like an electric guitar), or a piezo-electric pickup which is basically a crystal that changes the vibrations and pressures of the vibration into tiny electrical impulses. The magnetic pickups need a steel core string to make a decent sound...but not on the piezo equipped one. You have a piezo-electric pickup on your violin so... just about any string that works on the acoustic violins will work on the electric you have.

I personally have NS Strings on my 5 string but they are a little bit expensive and I wanted to step up to a more suitable string for the fretted fingerboard... I noticed a big difference in sound over the previous strings which I had on (The Helicores) but I also installed my fretted fingerboard at the same time. If I was going to choose a set of strings for your violin, I'd think a set of Helicores would be fine or the Preludes. You will certainly hear a good improvement over the "stock strings" normally associated with the instruments like ours. thumbs-up

Enjoy yourself here, there's a lot of fun stuff to take part in, like the upcoming Christmas tune many members are going to participate in as well as other threads on the forum page.

Again... welcome to the family.

hats_off

"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein

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BillyG
Brora, North-east Scotland
November 10, 2015 - 3:22 am
Member Since: March 22, 2014
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Welcome @Carlos Quintero - you've joined a great family here.

I believe my friend Dennis - @cdennyb , above, said it all - ROFL.   ( I only have 3 violins 1 electric, 1 acoustic and a second 4/4 acoustic but restrung as a viola ).

On the EV I have, the original strings were a bit like cheesewire, and the E would "whistle" / "squeal" at me on almost every bow-stroke.   A set of Preludes fixed that in short-order !

Enjoy the journey - thumbs-upthumbs-upthumbs-up

I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh - guntohead.JPG

Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)

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Carlos Quintero

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November 10, 2015 - 4:24 am
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Thank you both for the quick 3am responses ?. I feel like part of the family already!!!

@cdennyb im really suprised that you would recommend helicore or prelude strings over dominants with pirastro e (which aperently is huge for acustic artists) ,  zyex or ns electric.

Ive heard from alot of reviewers on youtube that these brands may not be the best in terms of warmth. Is it because of the drastic diferences between acustic and electric that you made this recomendation?

Like i said since this is a one time decision for the next few months, i really dont mind spending a little more money ($50 - $60) to get a clean warm sound.

Or will it not make a diference since its electric?

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Carlos Quintero

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November 10, 2015 - 4:29 am
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Oh side note. @cdennyb i was thinking about fretting my folin for ease of play and to use the frets as tactile guides ( like tapes). Can you still vibrato on the fretts? If so how tall are they? Cause i know if their too tall vibrato would be extreamly dificult/impossible.

 

Dont worry i have a test violin for the fretting. Theres no way im fretting my new one right off the bat lol!!

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micra
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November 10, 2015 - 9:34 am
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I wouldn't think it would matter how tall, if there's a fret there, my guess is you'd have to change the motion of your vibrato to that which is done on a guitar.  Could you ever make it sound like a violin vibrato though?  Interesting questions...  look forward to hearing from someone who knows the answers.

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Carlos Quintero

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November 10, 2015 - 2:32 pm
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@micra well on the viper fretted violin the vibrato done is a classic one. No need to flex the strings like the guitar. I read someware that it is because the frets are super short almost non existant. But i cant find an actual hight measurment. Its pretty cool to think that its so well balanced that you can play the perfect tone and easier chords because its freted and have enough room for vibrato.

Fyi all this is going off what i have read from other people so i cannot account for the acuracy or this info. But it makes since to me.

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Carlos Quintero

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November 10, 2015 - 2:35 pm
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And back to my original question. Im looking for good quality strings for my ev. Would the Tonicas and Helicore sound just as good as some ns, perratzi (sorry for the spelling), ir Dominants?? What are a high end string to take the cexillio to the next level??

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coolpinkone
California, the place of my heart
November 10, 2015 - 5:08 pm
Member Since: January 11, 2012
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Hello and nice to meet you. 

I have the Fiddlerman strings on my Electric violin. They are much much better than the cheap tinny things that it came with.  I am pleased with them.

 (I  have an inexpensive/cheap) Art Violin by Kinglos.  ( I adore it).  

For my acoustics I have Larsen with gold EP Pirastro, and Larsen with gold D'addario.

Welcome... I can't imagine how you are dealing with your violin at home and you are away and so eager to meet it.

Good luck and happy playing.

Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

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Taper123
Texas

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November 10, 2015 - 6:21 pm
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I have a Cecillio ev as well.   Strings that come with it are ... well... umm... 

I've had D'Addario Preludes and ProArte's on it, but have enjoyed the fiddlerman strings the best so far, as they give a good sound.    The preludes are a good place to start, then move up as you get comfortable with your instrument.

I keep daydreaming of a Bridge Aquila violin... then the bug to go Tuna fishing bit me :)

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Carlos Quintero

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November 10, 2015 - 8:57 pm
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Well i think i have decided to go with @Fiddlerman fiddlerman strings to start with. Honestly just the amount of respect i have for this guy and his honesty on product reviews has made me lean tword anything with his name on it. Next stop CF Fiddlerman bow.

Thank you guys for the recomendations everyone has been so helpful and kind. 

@Taper123 HAVE A GREAT TIME ON YOUR FISHING TRIP. i cant think of anything more fun than soking up some sun with some braid on the line and hearing the drag TAKE OFF!!

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cdennyb
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November 12, 2015 - 4:12 am
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Carlos... you can check out how difficult it is to do REAL frets and the time and equipment involved on my thread found here.

https://fiddlerman.com/forum/f.....ur-violin/

I have made several fretted fingerboards for both electric and acoustic violins. I have used Maple, Ebony, and Red Oak. Some are finished with binding some not. My latest uses fiber optics instead of the traditional 'dots' you might find on say a guitar.

The thread referenced above will give you plenty of insight as to what goes into this mystical endeavor. Fret height, width etc is all in there. Enjoy the read.

hats_off

"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
November 12, 2015 - 7:16 pm
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Welcome to the forum Carlos Quintero,

Dominants bare a lot of respect in the violin world because they have been around for so long and have been the most constant go to strings around.
Dominants are used on even the most expensive violins in the world. I made a test with several violins to compare our strings to Dominant and I believe they are close.
I really love the Larsen strings but not that fond of the Evah Pirazzi Strings.
I like to use Lenzner or Westminster E strings. Westminster especially when the violin is a bit too bright.
We also find that the strings that work for one violin don't always work for another.
Zyex tend to work great on electric violins. They are IMAO a bit darker and less grainy sounding than the Dominant strings and still very affordable.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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Carlos Quintero

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November 13, 2015 - 5:19 pm
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Thank you so much @Fiddlerman  for your response.

I have desided to go with your strings. I just baught them 2 days ago from amazon (sorry bout that) because shipping was free since im in alaska. 

Is there anything you could do about the international shiping rate to Alaska?? (IM STILL IN THE US!!??) I would love to buy direct from you every time. I wouldnt mind slower shipping even.

 I literally feel HONORED that u replied to MY post!!

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Carlos Quintero

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November 13, 2015 - 5:24 pm
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@cdennyb thanx for the fret info!!!!

Curiosity. Will you be selling these? 

If so how much?

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
November 13, 2015 - 6:57 pm
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Carlos Quintero, just give us a call. I don't feel that you should have to pay more. I'll send Michael a note to check on that. The back end is doing that automatically. If we use USPS it should cost the same.
Give us a week to work on it and let me know if it's not changed the next time you try to make a purchase. As far as the strings are concerned, don't worry, it's easier for us to sell through Amazon anyway. Of course we loose 15% but that is no big deal. :)

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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Carlos Quintero

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November 13, 2015 - 8:19 pm
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@Fiddlerman THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

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cdennyb
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November 14, 2015 - 3:37 am
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Carlos Quintero said
@cdennyb thanx for the fret info!!!!

Curiosity. Will you be selling these? 

If so how much?

Well, I actually started making one for my own personal use on my own violin because there was none to be found!

I have already sold two here locally, all for electric instruments. So, I guess I could make another few to sell.

The problem with making them is I have no way to put it on your violin unless you mailed it to me to do and I would have it about 3 weeks. For most people, that's a long time.

Another option is to have a luthier near you take the board and swap out yours for the fretted one...but that would be a last resort. Before I can just send one out I would need a lot of additional info.

Dimensions of the current fingerboard, height of your strings at the nut and at the end of your current fingerboard, the length and width at both ends of your current board and the distance from the peak of your bridge to the peak of the nut which is called the strung length. I would need to know which kind of wood to use, what color of dots to use, what binding is wanted and whether or not the dots would even be wanted (I also am working on a fiber optic design to replace those dots) and if there is even enough room in the body of the violin to house the fiber optic light source and wires, etc. From those bits and pieces of info I could make one.

Perhaps a PM or email is in order. [email protected]

hats_off

"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein

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Fiddlerman
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November 14, 2015 - 8:43 am
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This could really be a great service for you to offer Dennis. If you did this professionally on the side you could offer loaner instruments for the duration of the work.
I'm guessing that you may not want to, or have enough time to do too much of this but if you did. :)

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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cdennyb
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November 16, 2015 - 1:45 am
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Don't think for a minute that I haven't chatted about this subject with my violin partner!

I don't have a proper inventory of "loaners" to offer but perhaps I might be able to speed up the installation process a little by having the basic boards completed and just have to do the final fitting and shaping and attachment.

Most 4/4 4 strings are the same width dimensions on the f'board and if I made them the largest of the normal sizes, I could easily sand it to fit in just a short time.

Certainly worth thinking on some more.

cheers

"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein

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