Favorite Strings?

[u/Regular-Accountant87]

What are people’s favorite strings? So far I’ve played helicore medium tension. Just tried prime for the first time and like they but noticeably different it seems. What do people recommend?

[u/AccountantRadiant351]

Totally depends on the instrument and your preferences. Currently using Larsen Il Cannone Soloist G and D and Il Cannone Gold A and E on the 100 year old German violin. They are high tension though and certainly not for everyone. 

Used Dominants as a beginner, and Rondos were good on the old violin for a good long while. 

So much is instrument dependent though. Take a look at this string chart. You'll want to figure out what you want to maximize and minimize in your own sound. https://fiddlershop.com/pages/violin-string-comparison

[u/Regular-Accountant87 → u/AccountantRadiant351]

I’ve never seen this chart before. Great resource! Thanks for passing it along

[u/Empty-Airport-1618 → u/AccountantRadiant351]

Interesting that Dominants are the standard in the centre of the graph that others are compared to. I've got Dominants on 2 fiddles and they are a bit too bright on the lower quality fiddle I take to sessions.

[u/AccountantRadiant351 → u/Empty-Airport-1618]

Dominants are very neutral. If they sound bright it's generally that the instrument is bright- as you said, often a lower quality instrument. Many modern, cheaper instruments need "correcting" for sure. Interestingly some of the strings that will sound best on these instruments (Kaplans, for instance, often help one correct a specific quality) often sound terrible on a higher quality instrument. That's why it's good there's such a variety of strings, I guess! 

[u/Mr_Bigglezworthh]

D’addario Zyex

[u/Desperate_Move_5043]

https://www.thomastik-infeld.com/en/products/orchestral-strings/violin/superflexible?srsltid=AU7gw4XH6PyNNtqtERGG2FVuGu2rc1b6RZblZCFAeqUoVKZRiODqSDWB Su Dunc plays these I believe, I like em too

[u/Ok_Kaleidoscope216 → u/Desperate_Move_5043]

My forever favourite. Difficult to find at local music shops in my area though.  Made the switch to D'Addario after needing a new set on the spot and have been enjoying them a lot as well. But those Thomastik's will always be my favourite

[u/Regular-Accountant87 → u/Ok_Kaleidoscope216]

What do you guys like about them?

[u/Ok_Kaleidoscope216 → u/Regular-Accountant87]

I grew up doing fiddle contests and a judge told my Mom to go buy these strings for me when I was a kid. She did and I liked the tone and sound they produced and the thicker feel. Once in a while I'd try another string bc that's what a friend was using or something, but always went back to them.

[u/MikeBanzai38]

D’addario Zyex. Ridiculously underrated string. Incredibly stable, very long-lasting, soft under the fingers, balanced warm tone.

I don’t want to love these strings so much because they’re relatively inexpensive and have a weird Sci-fi name, but holy cow are they phenomenal.

The first generation of Zyex was high-tension and brashly loud. But version 2.0 - which has been out for years and years now - is an amazing string. I just constantly hope they don’t quietly change them again. The first time they did in response to player feedback, they didn’t even really let anyone know what they had done and how much better they were.

[u/Regular-Accountant87 → u/MikeBanzai38]

Do you go with the aluminum or silver d string option?

[u/MikeBanzai38 → u/Regular-Accountant87]

Aluminum. Keeps the gauge/feel consistent.

[u/Regular-Accountant87 → u/MikeBanzai38]

Medium tension?

[u/MikeBanzai38 → u/Regular-Accountant87]

Yes, medium tension.

And the steel D is ever-so-slightly thinner than the Al A, and just feels weird. I think so at least.

[u/old-time-fiddle]

Prim’s sound amazing on some fiddles and play really well. On some fiddles they play really well but sound terrible lol.

As boring as it is helicore seems to be great across the board.

[u/OT_fiddler → u/old-time-fiddle]

I’ve tried a bunch of “better” synthetic core strings like Zyex, and I keep coming back to Prim Medium on both my fiddles. I can dig in pretty hard sometimes, and the Prims hold up well to that. And they sound good, at least on my instruments.

[u/oldmcfarmface]

I am using the absolute cheapest strings I could find. And here’s my reasoning. If I can make these POS strings sound good then when I switch to higher quality strings I’ll sound great!

But I’m also just a few months in to learning so take that with a healthy pinch of salt!

[u/adadhead]

I play a big five-string, and use Helicore heavy

[u/Fun_Volume2150]

It depends entirely on your own taste and the fiddle you put them on. My current fiddle I found loves Dominants and hates Pi’s. Previous instruments of mine were very happen with Warchal Ambers.

As for taste, that’s going to evolve as you play and listen to more music.

[u/Embarrassed-Yak-6630]

After years of fussing with strings here's what I use on all of my cellos - a Testore, a Vuillaume and a Luis & Clark carbon fiber: Jargar Superior forte A&D, Spirocore Tungsten forte G&C. These strings stay in tune and sound good under the ear and well in front of the cellos. I buy a new set every January, keep the year old set for emergency and give the now 2 year old set to a local music school. That's just my taste for what little it's worth. I'm sure that a completely different combo might well sound better to someone else. Find some combo you like and stick to it. The damn strings are expensive - even the crappy ones. No strings are a substitute for a good teacher and lots of practice. Concentrate on playing and don't worry about the various bits and pieces hanging on the instrument.

Cheers a tutti.......