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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."
King
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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.
When you come to a fork in the road, take it.
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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!
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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… 
)
King
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Octave strings for viola were planned by Super Sensitive but I don't know if they actually have any for sale.
When you come to a fork in the road, take it.
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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."
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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
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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…
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. 
King
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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.
When you come to a fork in the road, take it.
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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"?
When you come to a fork in the road, take it.
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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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