Welcome to our forum. A Message To Our New and Prospective Members . Check out our Forum Rules. Lets keep this forum an enjoyable place to visit.

Check out our 2023 Group Christmas Project HERE

AAA
Avatar
Please consider registering
guest
sp_LogInOut Log Insp_Registration Register
Register | Lost password?
Advanced Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
sp_Feed Topic RSSsp_TopicIcon
strings of confusion
Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 (0 votes) 
Avatar
Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
September 2, 2011 - 9:23 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

Great questions Barry.

Steel strings are used by students and folk players because they are much cheaper.

It is very hard to play in tune with cheap steel strings. They don't stretch and therefor change tones while playing them. They need fine tuners because they are so sensitive and difficult to tune even with the pegs. Minimal movement required to get the right intonation. Same thing with your fingers when playing with a bow.

Next, don't put gut and perlon in the same category because there is a huge difference. Gut strings can don't stay in tune and stretch for a much longer time plus the gut dries and gets old with time. Fresh wound gut strings can be good for getting a warmer sound but there are so many synthetic core strings that are as good or better.

Synthetic core is the best in almost every way. I wouldn't consider anything else for you. The only time you will notice more difficulty in keeping them in tune is in the beginning when you change them and maybe for a few days. After a week they stay in tune fantastically. Have you tried Dominant? Keep your steal E and order the bottom 3. You can even keep the A if you want. The biggest difference will be on the bottom strings.

Hope I have clarified the subject a little.

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

Avatar
SanSkritA
Look up Sanskrita Dellerba on Facebook

Member
Members
September 2, 2011 - 3:36 pm
Member Since: June 5, 2011
Forum Posts: 35
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Hi! I have not posted in awhile, been SUPER busy! I too am wondering about strings.. especially my A string which is very hard to produce good tone. What would you suggest I switch to? I would like to order all new strings. Any suggestions? Thanks!

SanSkritA

Avatar
Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
September 2, 2011 - 6:44 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

The E string needs to be steel in order to withstand the high tension necessary to reach the high pitch. 

My A string would always wear too quickly as well. You probably have acidy fingers like me. The Dominant silver wound A lasts longer than the aluminum. I use a Piranito A which is steel but not as harsh as other strings, costs a little over 6 dollars and lasts for a long time.

I don't really think that getting rid of your fine tuners will improve the sound. I just don't think you will need them. Also you reduce the chance of loose vibrating noises when the tuners are loose or messed up and reduce the chance of damaging the belly when over-tightening the tuners.

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

Avatar
Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
September 2, 2011 - 6:46 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

SanSkritA said:

Hi! I have not posted in awhile, been SUPER busy! I too am wondering about strings.. especially my A string which is very hard to produce good tone. What would you suggest I switch to? I would like to order all new strings. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Missed your question SanSkritA. Maybe my combination of using a steel E and A with good synthetic core strings such as Dominant's.

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

Avatar
pky
Members

Regulars
September 3, 2011 - 8:26 pm
Member Since: July 6, 2011
Forum Posts: 969
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Barry, Good questions! i have been wondering why steel strings, perlon strings, and E steel string!

Thank you Fiddlerman for answering the questions in great details.

Forum Timezone: America/New_York
Most Users Ever Online: 696
Currently Online: Mark
Guest(s) 139
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Members Birthdays
sp_BirthdayIcon
Today Michael Browder, EBurrell
Upcoming Sofia Leo, TKDennis, FiddleDetroit, CookiesViolin, JPferrman, Designer 88, LyleA, Stephen, Dorque, Trisha, Elaisa, Gordon Shumway, dougga, Russionleo, JohnG
Top Posters:
ELCBK: 7758
ABitRusty: 3914
Mad_Wed: 2849
Barry: 2690
Fiddlestix: 2647
Oliver: 2439
Gordon Shumway: 2425
DanielB: 2379
Mark: 2149
damfino: 2113
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 3
Members: 31660
Moderators: 0
Admins: 7
Forum Stats:
Groups: 16
Forums: 81
Topics: 10588
Posts: 134210
Newest Members:
edwardcheng, Oscar Stern, bryanhanson, bittruster, fiddlecastro, jackdaniel, romanmills08, creativestringsinfo, rubble_b, mariachi
Administrators: Fiddlerman: 16429, KindaScratchy: 1760, coolpinkone: 4180, BillyG: 3744, MrsFiddlerman: 2, Jimmie Bjorling: 0, Mouse: 5305