Welcome to our forum. A Message To Our New and Prospective Members . Check out our Forum Rules. Lets keep this forum an enjoyable place to visit.
Private messaging is working again.
Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
(0 votes) 
Member
Offline
Hey all, me again.
Wondering, for a solid body electric violin (ebony pegs), should I be using gut or metal strings?
I mean, I know my violin will come with cheap strings, so if replacing them, what's best to do?
Also, anyone know a good (inexpensive) place to buy a good brand? Keep in mind, I'm trying not to spend $30+ bucks.
Any helps are appreciated.
Oh yeah, if it matters, music type would mostly be Fiddle : Irish, Mountain, Ol-Timey
jb
I did find these: Super Sensitive 4/4 Old Fiddler Line Violin Strings
Solid Core, Flat Nickle Wound
And from StarRightStrings : Perlon Synthetic Core Violin Strings Professional
But they are only $10... so, can they really be that good ?
Honorary advisor
Regulars
Offline
I've tried the perlon "dominant knock-offs" from StartRightStrings and didn't like them - very muted and not as responsive as real Dominants. Their fiberglass bow is very nice, however 
and Customer Service is excellent.
Super Sensitive strings feel small and sharp to my hands - after only a little playing my fingers got very sore and I don't think I would try them again.
I have Prazision mediums on my electric fiddle at the moment and like them a lot. I'm guessing you'll want steel core strings for that "fiddle" sound. My electric fiddle seems not to mind less expensive strings, so you might want to give Black Diamond Violin 7207 (the "fiddle" strings are not the same thing - most everybody online hates them for their strident sound) strings to save a few bucks. There's a huge thread about BD7207 strings over on the Fiddle Hangout if you want other opinions.
Mary in Springfield, Oregon http://www.thefiddleandbanjopr.....dpress.com
Member
Offline
Thanks. Been researching the 7207 now.
Question though, on a solid body silent electric, does it really make much difference ? other than ability to stay in tune? and if it's mainly just staying in tune, and not tone, does that change the Best Type then?
Well, I think you have a valid point. Effects boxes and equalizers can compensate for a lot of problems but that is not the whole story. I changed my electric strings to Helicore a few months ago and it was a definite improvement. (I think (maybe) I switched from Tonica but I'm not positive about that.) It can take a lot of monkeying around and equipment to "dial in" your preferred sound.
As usual, the likely way to tell is to test your hunches.
Honorary advisor
Regulars
Offline
Oliver said:
It can take a lot of monkeying around and equipment to "dial in" your preferred sound.
As usual, the likely way to tell is to test your hunches.
Mary in Springfield, Oregon http://www.thefiddleandbanjopr.....dpress.com
Offline
cancelx07 said:
Thanks. Been researching the 7207 now.
Question though, on a solid body silent electric, does it really make much difference ? other than ability to stay in tune? and if it's mainly just staying in tune, and not tone, does that change the Best Type then?
I tried all types of strings on my Zeta and ended up with Perlon core. Now the cheap knock offs from Start-Right have a reputation of being just that. Cheap and weak. I have not tried them personally but many have told me. If you are going to save money and use great strings i would consider Pro-Arte from Daddario. You can find a set online for $27 and I would recommend the higher tension, heavy gauge strings.
Also, if you decide to go steel, consider Prelude for under $20.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Member
Offline
Hey thanks
I was reading a thread about steel Black Diamond 7207 with all favorable results for $18 too.
But about the Perlon. I saw some US sellers and violin shops offering, maybe they are knock offs?, names like PALATINO (not sure what they are wound in yet)
I'm assuming Aluminum wound lasts longer than Silver (silver is beautiful but VERY short lived on guitars)
Here is a poll for electric violin strings that may be interesting.
http://www.electricviolinists......in-strings
(but not many voters!)
(scroll down on page for comments)
@ CancelX07 Curious......when you arrive at the worlds cheapest strings what will be the final intended use of the violin?
Member
Offline
@Oliver
I appreciate the sarcasm... Fraid I have a limited budget and trying to find out what is the best place to put it, metal or synthetic, and what people's best experience is with the more economical offerings.
Thanks anyway 
No, not sarcasm. It is entirely possible that you have a motive that I am not aware of. (I would only worry if you said you were setting up a "silent" violin
In cheapies, I have heard an excellent fiddle with Preludes. I've also had a Shar set ($10) myself and they were HORRIBLE (in tune but horrible).
Cancel, why not just work with the strings you have for awhile until you can make them sound good.
Member
Offline
Hey guys,
Yeah, I plan to use the strings with it - unless they are simply horrible.
I keep hearing stories of people trying to learn and giving up because nothing sounded right and it was the strings.
Besides, I'm buying items I believe will be useful whilest I have the money set aside to do so.
As for use of violin, just an at home solo fiddle play'n is all.
thanks
1 Guest(s)
ELCBK
Mouse
Fiddlerman
Jols
