Violin Forum/Message Board

Jack Rushing · Member Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 170

I read a short article somewhere about strings that are an octave
lower, for violins and other stringed instruments. Has anyone tried
them?

Shirley · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 2:23 pm Post subject:

Durn, Jack - I keep looking for a response toyour query. I see that Sensecore Octave strings are indeed tuned an octave lower, for non-classical music, it says:

http://www.swstrings.com/Store/Shopping.jsp?Category=Strings&SubCategory=Violin&Group=250S

But I'm sure you know this. But how intersting! I didn't know such a thing existed! I, too, wonder how they sound. I thank you for this question - boy, one can really learn a lot on these forums!

Shirley

Gizmo · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:36 pm Post subject: Octave

Tried octave strings for many months. Work fine. Sound is surprising. Almost like a cello sound.
Neat for a group that wants to add some faux bass sound.
Had to mess around to get strings (diameter) to fit bridge and down by the pegs. Minor adjustments however. ( I would not suggest you modify your best violin for the sake of octave string fit.)
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Gizmo · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:41 pm Post subject: oCtaVe

Octave strings neat sound. Almost like cello.
Need to do minor adjustments for larger diameter strings on bridge and down by pegbox. No big deal but I wouldn't sacrifice your best violin for that purpose.
Octave strings nice answer for a group who is celloless and seeks some bass.
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I NEVER PRACTICE. I'M NOT FAMOUS YET.

Jack Rushing · Member Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 170

Gizmo, Thanks. I suspected that the peg holes and bridge slits had to
be enlarged. I have several clunkers though, that I can try them on.
Did you have to cut the strings off a bit, to keep from having a double
winding on the pegs?

Gizmo · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:45 am Post subject:

(Little flustered here because I am getting an error warning when I post altho the post is OK. (What's that all about?)

Clarification ........ modifications for string diameter were made for G and D on bridge and I think only for G on the nut.
I believe I did cut string length but I generally do that even with regular strings.
I did not need any changes on the pegs for the Octave strings (diameters).
_________________
I NEVER PRACTICE. I'M NOT FAMOUS YET.

Shirley · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 12:04 pm Post subject:

Gizmo - it is great to hear rom someone who actually tried these strings - I had not thought of having to modify things just a bit on one's instrument to accomodate the thicker strings. Thanks for telling us!

Also, as for the multiple posting, I did the same thing for the same reason. The error message is still there, but I ignore it - I see you must have, too. Smile

Shirley

Gizmo · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 6:54 pm Post subject:

Shirley

It was a lot of fun and very surprising that the violin could acoustically handle the sound but it did and it was actually nice to hear.

I would certainly recommend the project.
_________________
I NEVER PRACTICE. I'M NOT FAMOUS YET.

Jack Rushing · Member Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 170

Gizmo, Thanks for the information. I will be trying out a set soon.

Barry Dudley · Member Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 64 Location: Monroe, GA

Darol Anger uses octave stings on one of his violins. He calls it his "Chin Cello". He uses it on stage in a few songs and it sounds great when it's plug in.