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E string upgrade
Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 (0 votes) 
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Ripton
Vermont, Massachusetts or somewhere in between
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November 1, 2015 - 10:12 pm
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Here's something fun to do. Search the forum for a thread on "E" strings.. yup, every "e" in the forum comes up... 

 

Anyhow, I'm going to start playing the violin as well as Viola, well at least a little more seriously. I still love the dark side of the deeper tones of the viola, but there is so much more out there for the violin. I once read a thread, or blog or something where Pierre or someone suggested upgrading the E string to reduce that high tinny sound. I have Helicore stings on now and really don't want to invest in two more sets of  higher quality strings. Well not until I feel I can stick with it and really make progress with what I already have. 

 

Thanks

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Fiddlestix
Michigan, USA

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November 2, 2015 - 6:17 am
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You may want to try this E string, it's pretty much the string I use exclusively.

http://fiddlershop.com/d-addar.....stling%20E

Ken.

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Uzi
Georgia

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November 2, 2015 - 8:29 am
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Fiddlestix said
You may want to try this E string, it's pretty much the string I use exclusively.

http://fiddlershop.com/d-addar.....stling%20E

Ken.

Yup. I agree.

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~Herm Albright

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BillyG
Brora, North-east Scotland
November 2, 2015 - 11:50 am
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LOL - and this makes three votes !!!! 

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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Mark
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November 2, 2015 - 7:31 pm
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Guess I'm the odd duck I like the Lenzer E for $2.21 at fiddler shop going to try thrvWestmenster E soon they say it makes all the fiddle sound darker.   Mark

Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.

Albert Sammons

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Fiddlestix
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November 2, 2015 - 9:29 pm
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$2.21 to $3.75, sounds to me that you're more concerned about price rather than sound.

I read the review on "Violin String Review" about the string sounding warmer. IMO, I don't see how a solid steel E can make a violin sound warm.

Just my opinion.

 

Ken.

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Mark
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November 2, 2015 - 9:42 pm
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Actually it was Heifetz choice of e strings so I figure it might be a good choice.

Price never figured into it the Larson virtuous strings that I bought to go with the lenzen E string are a tad pricy but I like them.

Mark

Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.

Albert Sammons

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
November 3, 2015 - 4:14 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
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I'm not a lover of aluminum wound strings and I agree with Mark.
Lenzner for the price is the best E string hands down.
If you are willing to spend just a bit more ;) try the Westminster E.

I do understand why many of you like the non-whistling E strings though.
If you have a bright and irritating E string, always consider lowering the bridge on the E string side. Best done by a luthier but not difficult to do. Just need to make sure you don't over do it. Also, don't make grooves on the bridge. Let the string pressure do that and use parchment on the bridge under the string. Grooves will come over time and a pinched string (one which is sunk into the bridge) doesn't act or sound great.

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

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Fiddlestix
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November 3, 2015 - 10:02 pm
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I'll still take the "Kaplan" non whistling E and the "FM" E.

violin-1267trumpet-1271spike-1268concertina-4198And the band played on.smile

 

Ken.

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bluesviolin
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November 4, 2015 - 12:35 am
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well... I've gone thru a lot of E strings in my time, so I might as well put my 2 cents in. The Lenzer is too bright for my tastes. and I agree that a Westminster will make the fiddle sound a bit darker. I've used 'em and liked them on certain fiddles. imo, the E string will lend it's characteristics to the other 3, to varying degrees. Also, imo, the tension of the E will also affect the other 3, sometimes to a quite noticeable difference.

I don't like shrill, over bright, edgy, or thin gauge E's. The Jargar Forte is very popular with classical players. I used one on a fiddle I no longer have and liked it very much for that fiddle. very powerful, with a clear round sound, not shrill, but quite high tension.

I'm using a Prelude E on my old German. The advertising hype says "one of the warmest E's available" and I agree. and I like it for a couple of more characteristics... it's a fairly thick gauge so you can get a decent grip on it and it will handle a fair amount of bow, but it's only medium tension, which I find advantageous over some higher tension E's. Although warm (as E strings go) it's still clear, with good volume, and a good singing voice.

The other 3 strings on this fiddle are: Peter Infeld (PI) G, an Evah Gold D, and a ViolinO A. yes, it's a pain in butt when it's time to replace them, but I've tried several complete sets (used, that I've got on hand) and several other combo's. This combo is what the fiddle wants for evenness and focus, and I must obey. thumbs-up 

"Striving to attain Mediocrity"

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Hermes
Athens, Greece

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November 4, 2015 - 12:15 pm
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Indeed I'v heard of many people that are avid fans of the Kaplan E.

However, keep in mind that an E string may change your whole perception of your instrument's sound. Many powerful but not tinny E strings, especially the high tension or heavy gauge ones (stark/heavy/forte or something like the Evah Pirazzi mittel silvery steel E) could make the rest of your strings sound fuller and deeper.

It's been a really long time since I last used Helicores, but in synthetics here is what some strings do:

Pirastro Gold Label Wondertone (Medium): Silky feeling, almost never squeaking, pliable feel relatively to other contestants, brilliant and projecting sound

Pirastro Eudoxa plain steel (medium): More powerful and direct than the previous. could be "bright or dark" depending on the instrument but not "brilliant or mellow". Somehow it feels colder and more straight forward

Pirastro Evah Pirazzi silvery steel (medium): The screamer. If your instrument can match this, and not sound overly bright, it's a decent choose. Supposed to be high tension, but it feels somewhere between the above two. To me at least. Really powerful, really projecting. Every time I used it, the ADG seemed considerably more mellower, even the "bright" sets like visions.

Pirastro Obligato gold steel (medium): The most mellow and softest, but expensive. Something about 10 USD I guess. A fancy gold string, could open up the ADG but it's prone to whistling when not careful.

Pirastro Eudoxa aluminium wound (medium): Could be a good match if you want a feeling like "do you mind If I play? " . Just joking. Quiet and mellow, but mostly a match for low tension synthetics or gut.

Pirastro Eudoxa aluminium wound (stark): Big. Bold. Tense to me. It's mostly me, but it felt like "thick". But some may want this. Never ever squeaked though.

Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Gold : Big, Brilliant, Powerfull. It's higher tension than the other medium gauge Es, imagine something like the Pirastro Gold label E pimped up.

Thomastik -Infeld Vision Titanium Orchestra: One of the best I've ever used. It was bright but not tinny, and the softest ever. Reaching the highest position was always a joy, even on poorly shaped fingerboards. But...you know. a little expensive.

Thomastik - Infeld Dominant (medium): Most people describe it as a scary E. Truth is it could sound weird when pushed a little harder, but it could be a match for really bright strings. 

D'addario Pro Arte (medium): While the rest of the set felt tense and quiet the E worked really well with other sets, being reliable, and brilliant, not empty or tinny.

Hint. You have to buy a few, to check what you like under your fingers of course. And what works for your instrument. Fortunately the are cheaper than whole sets.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
November 4, 2015 - 12:31 pm
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Lot's of great stuff here guys. The one thing to keep in mind is that what works on your fiddle may not be the same as what works on another persons fiddle.
I have the opportunity to try these E strings on hundreds of violins a week.
You are all right for having your own opinions based on your instrument.
And yes bluesviolin, a Westminster has the tendency to make the rest of the instrument a bit darker sounding. :)

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

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Hermes
Athens, Greece

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November 4, 2015 - 2:23 pm
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Fiddlerman said

I have the opportunity to try these E strings on hundreds of violins a week.

I don't know how it feels like when you have to do it every day, after some time. But it sounds like heaven to me. 

Shouldn't there be a "string tester" profession? like those folks that test wines, cheese etc. I would apply for it asap. afro

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
November 5, 2015 - 4:16 am
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We would love to have you. :)

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

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Hermes
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November 5, 2015 - 7:50 am
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Fiddlerman said
We would love to have you. :)

That would be my honour :)

Regarding the first post in this topic, I have noticed sometimes that the way the e string contacts the bridge can make a difference, on some violins, (or on some ears), besides the choice of brand of course.

This plastic little tube that prevents the string from cutting through the maple (when your bridge doesn't have a parchment or another material in the E slot), slips back and forth during the tuning, and sometimes collides with the string when it vibrates, and it may sound a little strange. 

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
November 5, 2015 - 9:31 am
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That little plastic tube should always be replaced for parchment on the bridge.

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

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bluesviolin
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November 5, 2015 - 3:58 pm
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well, with all this talk about Westminster's, I went down this morning and picked one up and switched it out with my Prelude E on my China violin. and yes, I did turn things a bit darker/warmer and took a bit of ringy ness out of it, which is ok with me, I had forgotten that the Westminster's have a bit of a silvery sheen on them, as opposed to the Prelude which is clear. Some E's have that 'sheen'. Kinda nice for a change. I like characteristics of both of them, but a change is nice once in a while.

My old German has Parchment, but the China does not. I use the larger diameter tubes from Dominant E's. Partly because The bridge notch is a bit worn down & a bit wide, But I'd use the Dominant sleeves anyway. I like the E string to sit up a bit, even if it is within the correct parameters for height. As long as it's not putting the intonation out (which it isn't) I'm ok.

I'm not about to put a parchment on the China (if it ain't broke, don't fix it) and I don't want to risk ANY changes, as it seems that if things are working good as is, any change of any kind, usually works out for the worse. At least that's been my experience more often than not.

"Striving to attain Mediocrity"

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Ripton
Vermont, Massachusetts or somewhere in between
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November 5, 2015 - 5:22 pm
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thanks all. I was tempted to go with the wound alum, but after much deliberation thought I'd give the Westminister a shot.. Hey for under $3.00 how could I go wrong..

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coolpinkone
California, the place of my heart
November 9, 2015 - 1:29 pm
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I ordered this  Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Gold  one last week from Fiddle shop.

Since my Larsen  regular string popped while I was at work.  I thought I would give this a shot.

I will let you know.

 

Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

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coolpinkone
California, the place of my heart
November 9, 2015 - 1:35 pm
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May i ask.. what is the Westminster E.. is that the W.E. Hill brand?

I couldn't find it. 

edit:

I Found IT 

Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

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