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Has FM commented on the Kaplan E that he sells? Or anyone else?
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NoirVelours said
This forum use Zyex!
Though I'm not sure I'm happy with how the E sounds.
Was thinking the same NV.
Haven't practiced on the E string much, but as I'm learning Air on the G string, it uses a lot of E string ( don't know why its called Air on the "G" string lol).
I'm finding that 3rd position in the A string sounds better than using the E.
But it could be the standard of my playing.
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
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Maybe it's my no-experience but it seems like the sound of the E doesn't follow an harmonious continuation with the others strings. Maybe it's meant to be like that though I couldn't tell. But when I scale G to A everthing is nice then on the E... ack! too bright. I'm not saying the sound is not beautiful, because it is, but it's like all warm and mellow then high pitched lol, makes me shiver.
"It can sing like a bird, it can cry like a human being, it can be very angry, it can be all that humans are" Maxim Vengerov
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Makes the fillings fall out of my teeth!
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
If you read the DESCRIPTION on Kaplan E back in FiddlerShop you will see that it is offered in a variety of platings just for the reason you mention BUT there is no real consensus about which is best ...... very subjective, I guess.
I have one E that works. I forgot what it is and I leave it on all the time even when I change strings. I'm in trouble when it wears out.
I would really like to hear from FM because I'm sure he would not sell a string unless he had some confidence about it.
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Could it be possible that the Zyex have more tension then other strings? There is a whistling sound that was not there with my Preludes and it seems I have to press harder with bow/fingers to come up with a nice note. Am I confused and all strings have same tension or can this make sense?
"It can sing like a bird, it can cry like a human being, it can be very angry, it can be all that humans are" Maxim Vengerov
String tension for a brand can vary a lot. Values are published. Mostly by mfg. sites.
The "champ" for high tension includes Evah Pirazzi. They scream. They are called "virtuoso" strings because they will blow away a 40 piece orch.
Synthetics are usually mid range for trension.
One famous women uses a viola string on her concert violin .....
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All violins don't sound the same with the same strings.
My violin is perfectly even if I put on a set of Zyex strings. Even the E string.
NV, if you have a whistling sound coming from your Zyex E string there are a couple of considerations. Your string is not vibrating fast enough and this can be solved in a number of ways. One way is by getting a lower tension E string that reacts a little quicker. Zyex comes in three tensions as do most good strings. Lighter tension vibrates, reacts faster but do not project as much. I think you may like the lighter tension a bit more.
Maybe only your E string needs to have a lighter tension.
The Kaplan golden spiral E string is probably the best you can find anywhere but not necessarily suited to everyones violin. The gold plated E which costs twice the price is even more brilliant but might be too powerful for your instrument as well. The only way to be sure is to try it out.
Dominants are great strings but they sound metallic on my fiddle. Obligato are fantastic too but they don't settle or project as well as my Zyex and I believe that the Zyex are warmer on my fiddle too.
Evah are generally incredible strings but they are dead on my violin.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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It only happens with the E and A, my Zyez G and D are silver and are very fine I love them.
"It can sing like a bird, it can cry like a human being, it can be very angry, it can be all that humans are" Maxim Vengerov
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Maybe the sound-post is too tight too. If the sound-post is in too tight and you have good tension from above you can kill the vibrations. It might also be too close to the bridge. There are so many factors but something is probably off to get those whistling sounds.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I'm starting to think I need to bring monsieur le marquis to a luthier for a check up 
"It can sing like a bird, it can cry like a human being, it can be very angry, it can be all that humans are" Maxim Vengerov
I had a similar situation with my Zyex G string.
It was really dull in 3rd and 4th position, so I took the Helicore G string off my other violin and i'm using that now. It's much brighter, the Helicore G string feels a bit thinner than does the Zyex, maybe it's just me I didn't mic it, but it is satisfactory now.
It also sounds to me like your soundpost is too tight and not letting the sound of the E string come through as well. You would be surprised at the difference a very slight adjustment can make.
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I want to hear more on this -- so a week E string can be caused by a too tight sound post. Is there a test we can do to check or is it luither time?
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Not exactly Springer.
Usually a tight soundpost will give a big projection but if it is too tight the string might not vibrate fast enough thus creating a whistling sound from time to time as NV is referring to.
Lighter tension strings will often solve this problem as well.
Remember that all medium, light, and heavy tension strings are not of the same tension either. They differ slightly from brand to brand.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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My violin projects alot if I refer to Dennis analysis so FM you are surely right about my soundpost, I'll try a light tension E string and see how it goes!
"It can sing like a bird, it can cry like a human being, it can be very angry, it can be all that humans are" Maxim Vengerov
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If you have a luthier check the post you might get an instant result as well. It would only take a few taps most likely.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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