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I recently ordered a set of Pirastro Tonica strings from an ebay seller, and I'm strongly suspecting they are fakes.
The sounded very bright, but pretty nice when I first installed them but I remember thinking they seemed to be really high tension for synthetic core strings. After a couple weeks of playing, they're totally falling apart.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but this seems to be a pretty awful situation for authentic Pirastro Tonica (and Gold Label E) strings?
The silkings look terrible and the windings are coming undone at both ends of the strings.
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You might be right. Can you take a picture inside the scroll?
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
@firstpancake : Hmmm you probably got them cheap. My advise is to order from "Fiddlershop" and you won't have that problem.
There are a lot of scams on ebay.
Here is a string identifier chart you can consult next time.
http://www.violinstringreview......or-id.html
Ken.
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Let me know if you ever get fake "Fiddlerman Strings"
Just released them today. For $5 off, enter FM5
http://fiddlershop.com/fiddler.....t-4-4.html
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Fiddlerman strings!!??!! I just replaced mine, but I'll have these on my list when my Tonicas wear out!
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"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Fiddlerman said
Let me know if you ever get fake "Fiddlerman Strings"
Just released them today. For $5 off, enter FM5
http://fiddlershop.com/fiddler.....t-4-4.html
WAHOO!
I think I've learned my lesson with these. Buy strings only from trusted sellers!
I'm taking my fiddle to a local luthier when I have a little time next week to give the strings a closer look. The ebay seller is insisting they are genuine, and he's got a 100% feedback score.
This isn't the first time I got suspicious of a set of "real" strings I bought, and the internet is becoming rampant with these stories. I'm interested in some expert opinion before I start getting intensely paranoid.
I'll post a pic of the peg box when I get home tonight!
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Good deal. I look forward to hearing what the luthier says.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
@firstpancake They seem a little strange to be honest
I just remembered I have kept a set of these, so I just shot a pic to maybe help you a bit to search for any significant differences. Note that the Tonicas have been changed to their so called "new formula" with a slightly different silk winding (a large red "stripe" at the finish)
Anyway, always expect a little flaw they are made by a human being of course. and check that your bridge and nut is lubricated (graphite will do) to protect the string windings. But if they are fake, we shouldn't tolerate that...
@Fiddlerman Congratz
Just ordered a, Fiddlerman string set with the, Kaplan NON whistling E.
But I couldn't find where to enter the CODE FM5. 
Figured I'll give them a try and see what they're like. Definitely affordable compared to some of the strings I've bought.
Ken.
Regulars
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Just ordered a set of FM strings to keep as my in-case spares. My violin came with Pirastro Obligato strings, and after using those, I don't want to go back to steel strings!
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Yes, Synthetic Core, German Made.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Pierre, do you have any thoughts on FM e string vs dominant e? I've always read that most people don't like dominant e.
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@Fiddlerman Congratulation to you and Mike on the new strings.
Best of luck.... I will have to try them out soon!
YAHOOOOOOOOOO
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
Fiddlerman said
You might be right. Can you take a picture inside the scroll?
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OK, I was suspecting it to become more apparent but it did not. I still suspect that you may be right but I can't tell for sure.
Just4Fun, Most people don't dislike Dominants. As a matter of a fact, many soloists still to this day use Dominants. Many of the worlds best instruments are set up with those strings. Maybe half of all the pros that I know either use or used to use Dominant strings. They are in my opinion over rated but extremely popular.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Fiddlerman said
Dominant strings. They are in my opinion over rated but extremely popular.
My luthier agrees..... I think so much is said for, Dominant strings by, Thomastik-Infeld because they were the first major synthetic string on the market and so we use Dominants as the string to compare others to.
Most synthetic strings are created from a type of nylon (perlon). Other synthetic materials besides perlon are used as in Zyex strings from D’Addario which use a core made form the material zyex which is often made to string tennis rackets with.
Zyex string offers more rebound efficiency, i.e. gut-like dynamic stiffness, than other synthetic strings, particularly when strung at low tensions. This gives it playability that is more similar to natural gut than, arguably, other synthetic materials. It also has low overall stiffness.
Not only did I order the FM string set, but also the Zyex string set. I think this will be my 4th or 5th set of Zyexs'in the last three years.
I like em.
Ken.
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Zyex are underrated IMAO.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Sorry I was just asking about the E string in particular. I've read many reviews that rave about Dominant G/D/A but the consensus seems to be that the E string should be replaced with something else. I know E strings are almost a category of their own.
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