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Regulars
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Just changed out my A, D and G strings with my new Fiddlerman strings 
I haven't gotten a chance to do much other than some scales with them, and while I can tell they sound different, I cant put my finger on how to describe the sound, so I'll give them some time to break in before I do that.
What I did notice off the bat is, I barely need to use any finger pressure to get the note out, unlike the original strings on my violin, where they tend to have a muddy sound without really pushing down, these just rang out. Now I understand what a light finger touch on the violin feels like. This is going to make me happy. They also sound better while bowing softly compared to the others, too.
Excited to be giving these a try
Oh, and very happy to have my extra cleaning cloth, too. Yay!
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World's Okayest Fiddler
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Looks identical to mine, even the "Kaplan" non whistling E string.
The Kaplan is all I use for the E string.
I'm sure you'll be happy with the new set-up.
OH and btw, congrats on restringing it yourself. Wasn't hard at all, was it.
Ken.
Regulars
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It wasn't as scary as I thought I was going to be, lol. I imagined everything going wrong, but it went smooth
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@damfino
Glad to hear that you like your new FM strings... so far the reviews are coming in well. YAHOO!!
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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Yeeeeeee Haaaaaaaa, thanks Ken and Mandy. Great start for our strings.
We've been selling quite a few already and the feedback has been fantastic.
Soon, I'll have some codes for you guys to get the strings almost for free (first 20 people) in exchange for reviews on Amazon since they are now available there.
So be on the lookout for that. Ken and Mandy included, first come first serve and it doesn't matter if you have already bought some since they are well packed in sealed plastic you can have them for quite a while before using them.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I was stalking Amazon to see if they'd be on there, I often have gift cards. Was very excited to see the strings listed!
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That's good news. We are offering more and more stuff through Amazon.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Just a few quick notes on my first impressions:
I swapped some steel strings on a new fiddle I just bought with some of these Fiddlerman strings, and they made a great improvement on the sound. I did a quick clip of me playing a couple scales on the factory steel strings before re-stringing with the FM strings. So I'm can post side-by-side recordings when I get back home.
For now, I can say I am pleased with the performance of these strings! The tone is well matched across the strings, and I like the e-string sound more than the Dominant e. It is sweeter and more expressive and doesn't have that breaking we-AH sound (I don't really know how else to describe it) thing going on. I did also appreciate the lower tension on the e string! However, I think I might still prefer to use the Fiddlerman GDA and add a Pirastro Goldflex e. I think this also speaks quite a bit to the similarities to Dominant strings that after playing on these, I thought of that Goldflex e, which is always found on my violin next to GDA Dominant strings.
While I have not played dominants on this particular violin, I have used them a lot and am familiar with their sound. I would say that the Fiddlerman strings have a slightly cleaner tone (but not brighter -they are indistinguishable in that respect) than the Dominant strings. The D and A strings were particularly resonant, and the E string less so.
Similar to Dominants, the strings were able to hold enough tuning to play around with after an hour or two of stretching in. I'm pretty sure it'll continue to settle in for the next few days.
While Dominants and Fiddlerman strings (I'm looking at them right now with a set of Dominants on my brother's violin here) look the same to the naked eye, for some reason the Fiddlerman A string feels a little thicker. It is not even a good/bad thing, I just noticed there was a difference --maybe it's only in feel and it's specific to my fingers, and it's not unpleasant.
In sum, they really do play like Dominant strings. They have similar qualities in tone and brilliance, respond similarly to vibrato and changes in bowing/attack. Sound-wise, I would place these strings with Dominants and Tonicas as family that have that classic synthetic-core sound and playing experience.
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Thanks for your very nice review FirstPancake.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Regulars
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The more I run scales on these strings, the more I like them
I went ahead and left a little review on amazon for them, too.
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That is great news Mandy. Amazon reviews really help us.
I'll get you a coupon to purchase for almost free soon. Last time we did 99% with our shoulder rests.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Well, it turns one the Tonica strings are probably genuine. The silkings are pretty much identical to a new set from the shop. The luthier thinks the problem might be that the slots in the tailpiece for the strings were cut too narrow. I'm going to give the tailpiece one more try with a set of FM strings before considering a new tailpiece.
I also accidentally erased all of my recordings...and with work the way it is...some string sound samples will have to wait a couple more weeks...
but I did also write a short review on amazon.com.
I had a tailpiece that had very narrow slots. I was able to widen them to get fat strings in. It was kind of a head-scratcher wondering why it was made that way. I am glad to hear that your mystery is solved and your online buying faith restored.
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Unfortunately some of these tailpieces coming from China are made with slots that are way too thin and that does cause problems. We use diamond needle files to expand the slots. Also important to have the slots sized enough for the Hill style E string fine tuners to go back for more play.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Honorary advisor
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FirstPancake said
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.
I have been using Pirastro Tonica's for a few years. I have never ever seen a set of Tonica's wear out like that. In fact I am mostly amazed by the longevity of Tonica's. My current set has been on the violin for a year now and they show no visible signs of wear and tear and they still sound great. And I have a couple extra sets that I haven't even used yet. I have never had a Tonica string break on me. I suspect you were sold counterfeit strings. In the future if you buy your strings online stick to reputable music dealers. Fiddlershop.com is one good source. Everything I have ordered from Fiddlershop has been quality merchandise. Also the wrappings and the windings don't look just right..
Honorary advisor
Regulars
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FirstPancake said
Well, it turns one the Tonica strings are probably genuine. The silkings are pretty much identical to a new set from the shop. The luthier thinks the problem might be that the slots in the tailpiece for the strings were cut too narrow. I'm going to give the tailpiece one more try with a set of FM strings before considering a new tailpiece.I also accidentally erased all of my recordings...and with work the way it is...some string sound samples will have to wait a couple more weeks...
but I did also write a short review on amazon.com.
That is possible. But it seems strange that the windings are going bad over the nut, unless the notches are not properly cut. If they are genuine Tonica's you might want to have your Luthier change the tailpiece and check to make sure everything is set up right. On a properly set up violin Tonica's are very durable and don't deteriorate like that. Good Luck and Happy Fiddlin.
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coolpinkone said
Hi Ken ... How nice to hear your reporting on the strings. Glad to hear from you. Wow so a sound post move and new strings and you are happy again with the concert violin!!!I know putting the Larssen strings on my Soloist violin really made a big difference for me.... I am so happy with the Laresen strings that it will be hard to change ... But you know how that goes ..... And I did come home from work and found my e-string broke on the loop end.... That never happened with Zyex so I was not thrilled about that... I put my gold estring back on for now. I do not like it better than the Larsen Estring.
And I am am loving my Ming violin. I actually play both violins everyday. They are just that good. Still have my original violin for sale on Craig's list. No takers yet.
Anyway... Just felt chatty. Nice to see ya!
Toni,
You might like the Prim Lisa E. It is very sweet and very durable.
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