Good loop end (or removable ball end) viola A strings
Hi everyone. I currently use Zyex medium strings on my C, G and D (I love them; they're about 5 weeks old) with a medium Jargar A (this is great but I'm looking for something slightly different, especially as this particular string I'm using is 6 months old). I tried the Zyex A for a while, but didn't get on too well with it - I liked the tone in the lower registers but it sounded quite "soggy" towards the top and didn't have the instant response of the Jargar. Plus, it felt a bit too thick under the fingers. (I've also had a similar experience with the Dominant A, which I used as a substitute while somebody borrowed my old Larsen A.) So I put the Jargar back on, removed the ball and set up a loop end fine tuner (for the Zyex A I removed the tuner).
My question is - does anyone have any good experience with other loop end A strings that would sound well with Zyex bottom three strings? I have tried the Larsen A and found it worked very well with Obligatos, but I ordered a Jargar A along with my Pirastro Permanent C, G and D as I thought I'd try something a bit different. The problem I'm finding with the Jargar (magnified by the fact that it is quite old) is that it sounds quite raspy in lower positions and I find it hard to play pianissimo with it. I require the loop end fine tuner as with a ball end fine tuner the silk at the tailpiece end of the string goes over the bridge. Also after the experience with a Zyex and Dominant A, I won't use a synthetic A again. Also I don't know if I'll order a Larsen A just now as it's quite expensive and I'm on a student budget right now. I'd appreciate any suggestions!
Replies (14)
Thanks for your input Adrian - my viola is an inexpensive Westbury Antiqued viola, 15.5". It responds better to steel strings generally but Zyex sounds warmer and more full, and it has very good response on the bottom. I can tell that the A is clearly a quality product, but for my viola it really doesn't work. It just sounds weak to my ears! I'm primarily a violinist anyway; maybe because of this I tend to prefer a brighter sounding top end.
Have you ever tried one of Lenzner's brands ?
Their Goldbrokat violin E is one of the best strings out there... perhaps viola A is worth considering too?
(http://www.lenzner-strings.de/website.php?id=/index/english/products/bowed_instruments/viola.htm)
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If you use a synthetic A, you don't need a fine tuner on there at all. That's how I'm rolling with my Zyex A.
Just sayin'....
EDIT:
Whoops, I re-read your post, you already removed the tuner with the Zyex...mea culpa
Have you tried a Warchal Brilliant synthetic A yet?
Hi Seraphim; I haven't tried any Warchal strings on my viola yet but I was aiming not to use a synthetic string on my A because of the poor experience with Zyex and Dominant, and the much better experience with Larsen and Jargar. I was just wondering if there was a good loop end steel viola A that people have experience with other than Jargar and Larsen.
I think the Pirastro steel As (e.g. Evah, Passione, Permanent) can work very well - if they match your instrument well.
Yes, the Obligato A is steel too, and very good - just not to my taste..
Have a look at what I've already written on the new Kaplan A on this thread: Kaplan's new Viola string set. The entire set lasts really well.
I second the vote for the Passione steel A string as something you should try - I personally use the Jargar A on my viola, though.
I'm starting to feel like there are no good a or d strings apart from passione!
Reverting to dominants and a jargar made me life a lot less stressful. You can't go wrong with em and can just focus on your playing.
Try primm for the heck of it!
Thanks for everybody's advice. I have ocassionally seen the Passione steel A in use, mainly in combination with Evah Pirazzis on the bottom 3 strings. Maybe I'll give this a try in due course. I've had the Pirastro Permanents on my viola before but used the Jargar A with them; I didn't like the look of the Permanent A at first but perhaps I will give this a shot at some point too.
I switched to to the passione a with doms.
Make sure you get the aluminum one- the oter is great but squaks under pressure in the upper positions. I don't mind and actually use it, but I've heard people complain and swear by the aluminum.
Just an update on this – I eventually settled on a Pirastro Permanent A and it's hit the spot. It's a bit stronger than Jargar and seems to have opened up the bottom of the Zyex register well. Also it feels comfortable under the fingers.
Happy new year in advance!
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September 23, 2013 at 11:12 AM · I know I have said this many times, but I don't expect the A to behave like the other strings: I use a longer, lighter stroke, and with a synthetic A I get a clear, singing tone right to the end of the fingerboard (and even beyond, just to show I can!). I even find no need to press the string right down.
I have never understood the attraction of a steel A, unless I am using all 4 steel strings, in which case the setup - and my playing - is adapted accordingly.
But it also depends on the individual viola...