Violin Forum/Message Board

[pdinphx]

Greetings from Phoenix!

I've been lurking for awhile and thought I'd solicit for some help ...

After a fifteen year respite, I've finally returned to the violin. Everything seems to be coming back nicely -and- it would appear, at first blush, that my playing is now informed by a decade's worth of experiences, joys and woes.

I recently purchased a 2006 Walter Mahr, which came strung with Evah's. As the violin is already brash and edgy, the strings sounded LOUD and one dimensional. Interestingly, I enjoyed the tone much more when I played with a mute.

The Evah's found their way onto my 1920 Nicolas Pierre, which I played eexclusively in my younger days (for almost 20 years). This violin's tone has always been described as sweet, melodious and loving ... but lacking in projection. The Evah's found a new life on the Pierre; they are much richer, fuller and sonorous than they were on the 2006 Mahr. And consistent with everyone's experience, the Evah's improved projection exponentially (.. I'm sure! ..)

At any rate, I'm considering a set of gut strings to warm up and round out the tone of my Mahr. Of course, I've considered the new Passiones and the Olivs. My luthier is trying to sell me on the Vision Heavys as a viable synthetic alternative; I suppose if I went this route, the Vision Titaniums and Obligatos would also be a consideration.

I realize that it's next to impossible to make an assessment without actually hearing the violin (and knowing my expectations), but with what I've provided, any thoughts? I'd appreciate any and all feedback ...

PJ
Phoenix, AZ
Blue Line String Players

[pdinphx]

Incidentally, I'd really like to warm up the tone and give it more depth ...

PJ
Phoenix, AZ
Blue Line String Players

[Gizmo]

I see by the replies that your post has not attracted any (brave) volunteers. However, I am untrained, unschooled, shameless and without fear so here goes.

Today I put a Passionne "A" ( med.) on my favorite violin leaving the other perlon strings as is. ( I forgot what brand they are but I always use synthetics. )

This might be a good thing because I could hear the Passionne string in contrast to the remaining set of three. Wow, was I surprised. ( You want "dark" ? ) Great tone, character. Very emotional.

If this keeps up I will have to buy the other three Passionne strings and tolerate my wife saying "What, more strings ?"

(Playing violin)

Yeah, good. Very good.

I can only hope you will get the same result if you try them.

LL was right !
_________________
I NEVER PRACTICE. I'M NOT FAMOUS YET.

[pdinphx]

Gizmo,

Thanks for the response ... I've given serious thought to the Passiones, though the cost is a bit prohibitive and I would hate to make a mistake at that price point.

I've also been corresponding with a violinist on the violinist.com website who plays an instrument of similar heritage (if there is such a thing) and have been convinced to give the Dominants (with a different E) a go.

Currently, I'm trying the Corelli Alliance Vivace A, D and G, complemented by a Hill (stark) E. The sound of the Corelli's was initially much like the Evah's, though after a week, they warmed up noticeably. The A is a little more lively; the D and G are not nearly as resonating or dark as I would like.

I will report next on the Dominants ...

PJ Kim
Phoenix, AZ
Blue Line String Players

[Gizmo]

Well, the popular notion is that you can't go wrong with Dominants and I found them to be OK but I am being drawn to gut-type strings these days.

And yes, Passiones are more than I would want to gamble also. I once was told I could get free trial strings from Pirastro and they DID send me a free set but it is was a one-time deal. (Maybe they forgot me by now?)

Meanwhile I am forever in the hunt and my shoe box of strings is probably worth $300-400 by now. The problem might be that as I improve, strings start to sound better too. ( Or maybe it is all humidity !)

My Passione "A" is stretching a lot so I will have to give a little more time for a serious evaluation.
_________________
I NEVER PRACTICE. I'M NOT FAMOUS YET.

[pdinphx]

Interestingly, I shied away from the Dominants precisely because they seemed so ubiquitous ... if that makes any sense.

If you look at the list of professional violinists who still rely on the Dominants, though, it's hard to argue against at least giving them a shot.

In fact, I'm sort of convinced now that Dominants establish the starting point for a violinist's string quest. So many luthiers to whom I've spoken first asked how my violin sounds with Dominants as a basis for string recommendations.

Just food for thought, I guess ...

PJ

[Mat Roop]

I have a client who is a viola player and was not quite happy with the dominants on her violin... she was always wanting a deeper tone tone. She tried the Violino strings and is a happy camper... Violino strings are not much more expensive than Dominants.
Cheers, Mat

[Gizmo]

The Passione "A" has settled down and I like the way it sounds and responds to the bow ...... I would have to say capable of more emotion than the usual perlon strings I have tried. The whole set might be as good but I have to back-track and re-visit my Eudoxas.
_________________
I NEVER PRACTICE. I'M NOT FAMOUS YET.

[pdinphx]

Darn it! And I thought I was going to be able to avoid the gut string bug!

I tinkered with the idea of doing a modified Oistrakh ... gut G & D, steel A and wound E. Geez, that makes life awfully complicated, though.

As for gut strings, the gauge choices are mind-boggling. What is the conventional wisdom here? Go thick, thin or middle-of-the-road?

PJ

[Gizmo]

The gut string bug can not be avoided, only ignored. I have not found any authority who says that synthetics are as good. This makes sense being that the holy violin design dimensions must have evolved with gut strings as a given (?)
I have only played Eudoxas in medium gauge and they were great but unstable (relative to perlon). However, I miss the sound and may go back to Eudoxas or, eventually, Passione.
I don't remember Obligatos as satisfying as Eudoxa.
I have tried some thin gauge in perlon strings and the sound was anemic but I guess they are OK on some violins (?)
_________________
I NEVER PRACTICE. I'M NOT FAMOUS YET.

[Fiddledeedee]

Here's a web page with some information on strings. I don't know if it's what your looking for but mabey it will help. Once there you can read away. Or scroll down for their intake on the types of strings by brands mostly and read away there too. Good Luck

http://www.violinist.com/wiki/violin-strings/
_________________
She could sing nothing but "Fiddle cum fee
The mouse has married the humble-bee"
by Halliwell

[Gizmo]

Yes DD, good info on strings but I don't remember any strings behaving for me just as advertised. Exception perhaps for Eudoxa.
I believe my particular violin has something to do with it.
I have learned not to put too much stock in what I read or word of mouth but only in what I buy and try and it has been a long road.
In addition, I don't think every violin woe can be solved by strings and all credit to any luthier who knows exactly where to put a sound post.
_________________
I NEVER PRACTICE. I'M NOT FAMOUS YET.

[pdinphx]

After shedding the Evah's, I tried a set of Corelli Vivace's ... same type of string, pretty much the same sound. They are lasting MUCH longer, though.

I just ordered the following from SHAR: Dominant (stark) G, Dominant (medium) D, Dominant (medium) A and Pirastro (stark) Gold E.

As I've never 'baselined' this violin, the Dominant setup with Pirastro E seemed like just to way to find ground zero -- from which I can make relatively informed adjustments, if necessary.

PJ

[Gizmo]

Given your past string history the new set should be quite different and I hope you will give a report. I don't think I have ever read a real user report for "stark" strings (?)
_________________
I NEVER PRACTICE. I'M NOT FAMOUS YET.

[pdinphx]