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Thomastik Octave Violin Strings
Has anyone here ever tried these strings? They allow you to tune your violin an octave lower. I suppose that a "14 viola would be better built to use these strings but I am not sure.
It would be interesting to try to do something with this. If they were not so expensive I think that I would go for it. Over $100 a set. 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
I tried an octave set but I think they were Super Sensitive brand.
I had to do minor adjustments to bridge and nut because of large string diameters on G and D.
The result was totally surprising. The sound was great and I could not believe that the violin would handle those frequencies ?
I really liked to play this violin but I found that the vibrations gave me a headache after a short session.
I think this particular violin sounded better in the octave mode than with regular strings.
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They sound really interesting. Btw, I think I accidentally selected Thomastik Octave strings in the current survey when I actually meant to select Thomastik Dominant. Oops.
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SaraO said:
They sound really interesting. Btw, I think I accidentally selected Thomastik Octave strings in the current survey when I actually meant to select Thomastik Dominant. Oops.
I think several people did so I moved most over to Dominant. LOL
I also removed the string types that had 0 votes. The list was way too long.
Hope I get a lot more votes. PS, I tried Helicore and I can see why you guys like them so much. The pitch changing thing is minimal with these steel strings. I guess the steel fiber helps with slight flexibility.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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The octave strings sound like they would be a lot of fun to play around with. Imagine the possibilities harmonizing an octave down from the melody. Fun!
Mnyau-mnyau!!! I love Bass and i love Violin! But BASS-VIOLIN!!! I will fly away on the wings of happiness if play on it 
.
/went to put some money under the pillow/
i did never know about that thing!! 
i'll definitely try them... someday
p.s. I've just imagined my teacher's face if i play with that strings -> 
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Question , if you tune them an octave lower , you loose an octave on the top end right.
No matter where you go, there you are!
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Late bloomer said:
Question , if you tune them an octave lower , you loose an octave on the top end right.
Yes.
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Think I will just stick with how it came in the box. If I want to play lower I ll join HC on the dark side.
No matter where you go, there you are!
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Join the Dark Side, Late Bloomer! We have an excellent medical/dental/burial plan…
So, do they make these for the viola? It'd sound like a cello...
(I really need to change my Avatar to something less sinister-looking. In combination with references to The Dark Side, I must be giving off a less-than-nice-guy vibe. My wife's coworker says I look like Alistair Crowley. Not something I care to be known for… 
)
Octave strings for viola were planned by Super Sensitive but I don't know if they actually have any for sale.
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HeadCheese said:
...(I really need to change my Avatar to something less sinister-looking. In combination with references to The Dark Side, I must be giving off a less-than-nice-guy vibe. My wife's coworker says I look like Alistair Crowley. Not something I care to be known for…
You look pretty scary alright. LOL
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
HeadCheese said:
Join the Dark Side, Late Bloomer! We have an excellent medical/dental/burial plan…
So, do they make these for the viola? It'd sound like a cello...
(I really need to change my Avatar to something less sinister-looking. In combination with references to The Dark Side, I must be giving off a less-than-nice-guy vibe. My wife's coworker says I look like Alistair Crowley. Not something I care to be known for…
I think you kinda look like Uncle Fester from the Adams Family
HeadCheese said:
...(I really need to change my Avatar to something less sinister-looking. In combination with references to The Dark Side, I must be giving off a less-than-nice-guy vibe. My wife's coworker says I look like Alistair Crowley. Not something I care to be known for…
I like your avatar...and Aleister Crowley....and Uncle Fester
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I would love to try those strings. I think it would be a really cool sound to play some low sliding and droning notes and play my acoustic guitar over it and write some songs like that. I think that would be a cool original sound. I searched on Youtube to find what the strings sound like but couldn't find anything. If anyone has a good link on audio I would love to hear them and also a good place to buy them online. 
http://www.supersensitive.com/.....ctave.html
May be cheaper that Thomsastik
Gee … no YouTube, but (check the price !!!!!)
http://www.fiddleforum.com/fid.....ic=11632.0
If you turn your back on Sensicore strings you will hear a cello.
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I saw some baritone clips on YouTube but I don't know how that compares with what OR if baritone strings are the same as violin octave
OK we crossed each other on posts but I did go back for your video.
My memory says that the violin octave sounded lower but that was many years ago. I believe there are octave strings for viola but is that the same as "baritone"?
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In the comments section of the video clip I found, the musician mentioned he was playing a regular violin with Thomastik Octave violin strings.
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Thanks for that info Oliver, SaraO and FM I never knew about octave strings for violin. I did some more searching and figure at this point I will just stick with the violin as is and get a Cello cause the notes just don't sound low enough to me on low octave violin strings. I do play fretless bass guitar but it doesn't sound the same with the sound of a bow over the strings for some ideas I have going on for some new songs. On the Red Fiddle forum thread here from Cat she posted a link to some people playing Kashmir by Led Zeppelin and that kind of sound is what I'm looking for.
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