My new Eva Pirazzi strings are STICKY!
Hello! About three weeks ago I got new Eva Pirazzi regular full set of strings for my violin with a steel ball E string, normal quality, and I have been having a very frustrating problem occurring with my G and D strings: they are sticky! I’ve tried washing my hands thoroughly before I play, I’ve tried using pure rubbing alcohol and water respectively on a soft cloth to clean them, and I’ve also thoroughly rubbed down the fingerboard. I can’t understand why these two strings are so stiff to play on! The A and the E strings are fine, by the way. Shifting on them is super smooth and easy. But when I apply pressure to the other two, my fingers have a hard time shifting almost like they do on a string that is broken/unwinding....
I will probably try rubbing the strings down again with rubbing alcohol; there is indeed a black/brown residue that comes off of them (that is not from my fingerboard.)
Otherwise, if that doesn’t work, I will probably send them back because whatever residue is on them is too much for me to play with ease! I’d love some brainstorming as to what is on them. I suspect it might be an oil that was applied to preserve them through their shipment here. Any other ideas? Also, what should I use to clean it?
Replies
This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.
Violinist.com is made possible by...
Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition
Dimitri Musafia, Master Maker of Violin and Viola Cases
Johnson String Instrument/Carriage House Violins
Subscribe
Laurie's Books
Discover the best of Violinist.com in these collections of editor Laurie Niles' exclusive interviews.
Violinist.com Interviews Volume 1, with introduction by Hilary Hahn
Violinist.com Interviews Volume 2, with introduction by Rachel Barton Pine
February 16, 2020 at 01:00 AM · Maybe some kind of finishing chemical or something else happened or got on the strings at the factory. While alcohol usually does work, I would try Super Fine Steel wool (that's 5 Zeros on the package) found at any hardware store, will work. We buy these Charm strings (from China) and put them on some basses. The only way to get the gunk off these strings, is with the steel wool. They are then perfectly fine and very good strings for the money (bass). I noticed on the fatter strings (cello and bass) that Pirastro often leaves a very thin oil coating on them and we always wipe them super clean so that nothing gets on the bow hair. Try the superfine steel wool. Whatever you see now, will probably come right off.
Steve