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I purchased the fiddlerman soloist violin a year before. It sounds great when I am playing it in a big hall or in my orchestra. But when I play it in a smaller room, the E string sounds very... umm... "strong" I guess. Its not sweet anymore. Other strings also sound brighter than I would like. I am wondering if another set of strings (or some other adjustment) can make my violin sound sweeter/warmer by any chance?
I tried trading in my violin for another one but unfortunately the new violin should be at least 3000 dollars for trade in to be possible (which is currently out of my budget).
P.S. I have only been playing the violin for 4-5 years, so I am in no way any expert. Just seeking out some advice.
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I am no expert, but it sounds like a change of acoustics issue, not strings. When I try violins in a violin shop studio, they always sound better. When I get them home, they sound different. I have learned to remember that when trying violins, and am not unhappy with the sound when I get home. I can always change the strings.
They also sound better when I play them in my long kitchen, as opposed to my livingroom, where they are normally played. It is just not convenient in the kitchen. It is all in the acoustics.
I say your issue is the acoustics, because that is the only thing that has changed, and it will be the same with another violin, most likely.
I doubt it is the violin and replacing it for that reason, in my opinion, is not going to solve the problem. You will have the same problem, it will sound better in the halls you are playing in.
You did not state what brand string you have. Are you using a carbon fiber bow or pernambuco bow? Pernambuco sound warmer, A hybrid, as opposed to solid carbon will be warmer than a solid carbon. A different bow for home use, or finding strings that work better in both scenarios may be a solution. I would keep the strings the let it sound better when performing, if you can't get it to sound good, or to your liking, both when performing in a hall or with your orchestra and then when you are home.
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@violin1996 -
Here's a small price to pay to prevent the
😖
on the E string.
https://fiddlershop.com/collec.....-violin-e/
No one can really help you find warmer strings for the rest, without knowing what you're currently using - and how long they've been on your violin.
- Emily
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I think @mouse is on to something with the room acoustics. I doubt youll be able to match the sound of a hall and playing with other stringed instruments. But, aside from that make sure your bridge hasnt shifted around..that your string isnt hitting side of pegbox or cutting into bridge. if you have fine tuners are they ran all the way in and/or vibrating and messing with sound?.
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Thanks for your replies. The bow I am using is Holstein YS. I don't know which strings are on currently. I couldn't match them to any color code. I have attached a photo if that gives you any idea.
And you guys are probably right. It may just be the acoustics but it takes away all my motivation to practice with this violin at home. This violin keeps sitting idle and I keep going back to my 400 dollars violin.
Anyway I am taking the violin to a luthier today just to confirm if its just in my head or if there are some minor adjustment issues with the bridge etc.
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Have you attempted to record yourself in the same location playing the same tunes on both violins to see if they sound as different as it seems when you just listen to the sounds? You would have to ensure that you were in exactly the same place while playing each instrument.
The old curmudgeon!
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arent those vision strings? havent double checked on chart.
i have a soloist..every violin is different but if everything checks out ok and you decide to change strings try out larsen tzigane or obligatos for something a little more darker or woody sounding ( to me ).. i also am liking larsen virtuoso strings on it right now but they are probably more bright than you want. the tziganes and obligatos are pretty close obligatos just slightly more expensive. .ive kept the obligato e string on it even after changing the others. seems to be holding up well..
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I completely understand your dilemma. The overall sound quality deters me when I am not happy, either.
I bet the luthier will be able to fix you up with a set of strings that will work in both scenarios. If he does and strings it for you, ask for the packaging and date the package so you know what is on the instrument and when. If no packaging, sk him to weite down what brand and type he installed. You may like them and want to continue later, or not like them and want to make not not to get them again.
At a y rate, I am sure the luthier will be able to help. Maybe a tad change in the sound pist will be done.
Please let us know what you find out, what was done and if you like it better. I am very curious.
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Also, is there a different room, different shape a d make-up, that you can play in that may make the wound more acceptable? Like I said, my longer open kitchen/dining area sounds different, more to my liking, just not as convenient for me.
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So the luthier said that the violin setup was correct. He suggested the obligatos strings for warmer sound. I agreed, because I have heard a lot of good things about obligatos. He installed the obligato strings on the violin (about 90 dollars for strings and 10 dollars for installation) and OH MY! The violin sounds so lovely now. I have been practicing non-stop for 1 hour in my room. The sound has become very sweet and the resonance on the D and A strings feels very nice. E string is not as strong now (which is what I wanted). I hope it will sound good when I play with my orchestra too. But for now I am totally satisfied with the new strings. It might sound even better once they settle down properly.
The only other change the luthier made was making the pegs turn more smoothly. I think that since I wasn't using this violin much, the pegs had become stiff.
@ABitRusty The old strings were in fact vision strings. And thanks for your obligato/tzigane suggestions.
@Mouse I live in a studio and kitchen/bedroom/living-room are all the same for me! But next semester I will be shifting to a new place and hopefully I will have more options.
@JohnG Yes I have recorded multiple pieces in the past comparing the two violins. They sounds very different to me.
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sweet! yeah obligatos sounded great and overall as strings go a pretty easy suggestion to try..just expensive..i went with the tzigane and then to the virtuaso after a while because i think my soloist was a tad on the darker side and the larsen strings seemed to brighten up a bit..but i was happy with the 'gatos too.. i probably change strings to often and the cost was something i was looking at...the larsens arent THAT much cheaper though..anyway... glad it worked out and thanks for letting us know how it went.
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