Fiddle String preferences

Subject: Fiddle String preferences?
From: Sean Belt
Date: 13 Apr 06 - 11:27 PM

For a lot of reasons -- none very interesting -- I haven't been visiting the Mudcat for a looooong while. BUt it seems like a good time to jump back into the water. Here goes...

I've been using Prims on my fiddle for the G, D, and A and a Pirastro Gold (the gold label, not the gold string) for the E for a few years now and am very satisfied with them. They sound good on both of my instruments, they seem to last a long time, and they hold up well to my frequent cross-tuning.

Still... there's always room for improvement and the suspiscion that the grass is always greener on the next guy's instrument.

So, what are you using? And why?

Cheers,
Sean Ruprecht-Belt
(visiting Red Deer, Alberta for a couple of pleasant weeks)

Subject: RE: Fiddle String preferences
From: Pauline L
Date: 14 Apr 06 - 01:17 AM

I live near Washington DC, where the temperature and humidity fluctuate wildly. Most people around here use Pirastro Tonicas or Dominantes because they withstand the weather well. (Better than I do, for sure)

Subject: RE: Fiddle String preferences
From: GUEST,Tequila Sunrise
Date: 15 Apr 06 - 04:19 AM

I used Dominant strings for years, but in the past 6 months have put Pirastro Synoxa strings on both my classical violin and the one I use for fiddlin.

I'm amazed at the difference it's made. I thought Dominants were OK, but the Pirastros have such a warm tone and are really responsive. The E string doesn't have that harshness that can happen either.

Subject: RE: Fiddle String preferences
From: GUEST,BanjoRay
Date: 15 Apr 06 - 08:01 PM

I've just taken a week's fiddle instruction from the great Rayna Gellert. Her preferences are for Helicore strings with a Kaplan flat wound E, to eliminate the E string squeak. She frequently retunes in her Old Time music performances. She says that Dominantes, or any string without a steel core, are pretty useless for retuning.
Ray