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Violin C string
Viola string alternative for violin
Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 (4 votes) 
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AndrewH
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July 13, 2020 - 6:13 pm
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Yes. I didn't look closely at the violin windings other than checking for aluminum, but all the Kaplan viola G and C strings are silver wound, as are both the Vivo and Amo viola D strings.

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Gordon Shumway
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And that will simply be because silver is heavier than aluminium, I guess.

Andrew

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AndrewH
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The tone quality is starting to stabilize. I like Kaplan Amo a lot! Quick response, doesn't require a lot of finger or bow pressure even on the C string. A little loss of projection from the Vision Solo strings I was using before, but that was expected.

The tension listed for the short-scale Kaplan Amo and Vivo C strings (they have the same tension) is 10.9 pounds based on 330mm vibrating string length. For your violin at 325mm, it's going to be about 10.6 pounds.

By the way, I strongly suspect that the Kaplan short scale viola G and D strings are exactly the same strings as the violin G and D. I notice that the tensions listed for the violin G and D strings are exactly equivalent to the short scale viola G and D strings. (10.6 for both G and D short scale viola strings based on 330mm VSL, 10.5 for both G and D violin strings based on 328mm VSL.)

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ELCBK
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July 15, 2020 - 10:59 am
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AndrewH - Thanks for the review!

I'm now excited to try the Kaplan Amo C string before the Vision Solo.  My only concern is you might be looking for more projection than I am, but I'm all for better response & ease of playing!

 

- Emily

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AndrewH
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Vision and Vision Solo are also easy to play. I need quick response on the low strings because I have small hands and don't have the leverage to put a lot of left hand finger pressure on the strings; I've been happy with both Vision and Vision Solo strings and was just taking advantage of non-performing time to try out Kaplan Amo. In fact, I originally bought Vision Solo strings because I needed quicker response for my next concert at the time, which required a lot of fast playing on the C and G strings.

That said, Vision and Vision Solo are both brighter-sounding than average for synthetics so the Kaplan Amo C may be what suits your 5-string violin best.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
July 16, 2020 - 12:39 pm
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Very true. I do find them on the bright side. Sometimes we need darker strings if an instrument is already very bright sounding.

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

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ELCBK
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I've lived through enough it just doesn't take much to give me cause to CELEBRATE! 

I think I hit the Jackpot! 

(time will tell) 

Think I finally found a good C string for my 5-string "Mortimer"! 

I mentioned earlier that I was much happier with the Zyex Viola C than the Helicore C.  Unfortunately, the Zyex (even though short scale) was really too long, had to cut some of the tail off and it was hard to tune after a while... I reluctantly returned to another Helicore C (happened to have on hand). 😔

So, searched for an even shorter Viola C (had a heck of a time) and found the

D'Addario "Ascenté" Extra-short Viola C string. 
This could be the ONE! 

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DitcQIQBFG8/UWAmW-h8iaI/AAAAAAAAK9s/oAFxT8sQ2-o/s1600/WooHoo.gif

 

The perfect length, synthetic core, sounds great, responds good and it's NOT aluminum but a super corrosion resistant, nickel alloy!

Makes ALL my other 4 strings resonate MORE! 

or maybe it just responds with more harmonic resonance to my other 4 strings

(help here?) 

Anyway, HUGE DIFFERENCE!  

 

giphy.gif

 

Simply amazing what 1 string can do for our instruments - maybe take a closer look into your G string, Fiddlers!

...hope this lasts more than a few months! 

 

- Emily

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AndrewH
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ELCBK said

 

Simply amazing what 1 string can do for our instruments - maybe take a closer look into your G string, Fiddlers!

...hope this lasts more than a few months! 

 

- Emily

  

Mixing strings is something violists tend to know very well. More than half of the violists I know use a different brand from the rest of the set for the A string (usually Larsen or Jargar), and a noticeable number of violists also use a different brand for the C string (often Spirocore).

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ELCBK
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@AndrewH - 

You have always been inspiration for me and it's really fun learning how much of an impact different strings can make! 

Fascinating to find such huge differences between violin/viola strings, manufacturers and the materials they are made of!  

Been made keenly aware there are strings for different situations since some musicians want brighter sound, quicker response, more projection, warmth or Old Time feel, etc...  I've gained a much better understanding of the relationship between instrument and strings by trying different ones.  

giphy.gif

Always wanted more warmth and resonance, but still need a quick response - that's magic to me.  So, this education has been worth spending money on some strings I may never use.

Might even look at a Viola A, or a lighter tension Violin A string since I'm still finding too much inconsistency within my brand.  Such a shame, I really love a good Obligato Chrome A. 

 

- Emily

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AndrewH
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January 6, 2021 - 11:37 pm
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Hmm. I don't think it's a common thing at all, but I remember hearing about at least one professional violinist using a short-scale viola A string (no idea what brand) before the Warchal Russian A was introduced. Like violin E strings, viola A strings are almost always steel even in synthetic sets.

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ELCBK
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@AndrewH -

Wish I would've waited to read your reply! 

I was so excited I went ahead and ordered a set, assuming they'd all be the Monel alloy (and I should know better).🙄 

Come to find out, the A string is worse than steel... it's aluminum wound! 😖 

Oh well, the whole set was ridiculously inexpensive compared to what I've been buying - hope I can use more than 1 string, we'll see. 

Thanx for the info, Andrew!

giphy.gif

 

I hate aluminum... anything. 

- Emily

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
January 8, 2021 - 6:56 am
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Where did you order your A string from Emily? Maybe we can exchange it for you.

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

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ELCBK
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@Fiddlerman -

Thank you for the offer, but the Fiddlershop doesn't carry the

D'Addario "Ascenté" Extra-short Viola strings. 

 

Confused Head Scratching EmoticonsI didn't see where the Fiddlershop carries ANY extra-short Viola strings - I checked there 1st, of course. 

https://img.etsystatic.com/il/812234/923915175/il_570xN.923915175_evhb.jpg?version=2

 

- Emily

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Fiddlerman
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January 28, 2021 - 3:03 pm
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We are one of D'Addario's biggest buyers. Just call or send customer service a message at Fiddlershop and we'll get it to you. We tend not to list products that rarely sell but if we see the interest we're more than happy to put it up.

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

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AndrewH
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Fiddlerman said
We are one of D'Addario's biggest buyers. Just call or send customer service a message at Fiddlershop and we'll get it to you. We tend not to list products that rarely sell but if we see the interest we're more than happy to put it up.

  

 

On a related note, have you considered carrying Kaplan Amo and Kaplan Vivo viola strings in medium scale? For some reason the only online vendor that lists any length other than long scale is Southwest Strings, which I find odd because the medium scale would be a better fit for a large percentage of violists.

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Fiddlerman
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February 2, 2021 - 4:32 pm
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Will do Andrew. Thanks for the tip.

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

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