Spirocore Tungsten C for viola

September 12, 2015 at 09:55 AM · I have used pretty much every string in every tension on my viola with the exception of the new pI strings.

Believe me when I say that you will be flabbergasted with the response the Tungsten C will give you! It's deep, wooly (in a good way) ultra responsive...

I tried the light and hated it. Get the medium gauge. Heavy gauge was bending my bridge haha, so none of that nonsense.

It's an unbelievable string. Sounds bad on modern instruments in my experience. Sound seriously fantastic on something at least 30 years old. Idk why, but they just sound better on old instruments.

Honestly the only string setups i would even consider these days are a full set of passione with Larsen light tension A, or Spiro C and G with Larsen D and A.

I would implore you to try this string. I'll finish this with a direct quote from Lawrence Dutton of the Emerson quartet (the violist). "I don't think that ANY viola should have a C string that isn't a spirocore."

Bashmet uses them too, great quartet players I know, you won't regret trying them!

September 12, 2015 at 12:30 PM · Thanks, Ryan. I know you are the eminent viola string test pilot around here. ;^)

My concern about using the medium gauge us that I fear I'll have similar response issues as I currently get with the Kaplans due to the long vibrating string length (390mm) leading to excessive tension.

At $55 a pop (for the Spiro C), I want to try to get it right the first time.

September 12, 2015 at 02:46 PM · It appears that it does come in light gauge (see page 50, under S24):

Thomastik Viola string catalog

Still being a viola rookie, I am amazed about the fashion of viola sound - how is it supposed to sound to majority of viola players today.

It appears to me that, because viola got its solo status relatively late, the desired sound coincided with changes in string technology. Therefore this preference for metal C (and A) string. I wonder what was the original sound of viola, before it became an "assertive" instrument?

(Currently: 15.5' viola, 36mm VSL: Zyex C, G, D, Jargar forte A tuned @ 432Hz)

September 12, 2015 at 03:31 PM · I've had violas from 15.5", 16.25"(3 of them, one a Tertis model ), 17"(still have it), and 17.5"(my current love). It seems to me that the synthetics worked better on the smaller instruments, and the steel core strings work better on the larger ones. The smaller violas perhaps not needing the added focus that the steel strings bring.

When I've tried the Helicores or Kaplans on my smaller violas they sounded to "steely". Using synthetics on my largest viola sounds too unfocused.

Oh, and I wanted to clarify: I am currently using Helicores Xrra long scale medium gauge (designed for 400mm VSL) for my C and G, the D is a long scale light gauge.

September 15, 2015 at 11:30 AM · Spirocores are very popular with violists but I really don't like them.

It seems they impose their sound to the instrument, the resulting sound being more from the string than from the instrument.

As a maker and player I like a rich, deep, warm sound, and I think Spirocores are rather monochrome.

But I may be wrong.

September 15, 2015 at 02:25 PM · I hear you on that.

Some instruments may need some tonal input for what may be lacking in the instrument itself though, don't you think?

I know you are partial to Evahs. That may work well for your designs (375mm VSL, I believe you also now tend to shoot for 15.5" body length?).

They may also work well for my current viola. But from the synthetics and steel cores I've had on it so far. The steel brings a clarity that a viola this size seems to want. But, maybe the well known Evah strength of tone would work in a similar fashion? Evahs are pretty pricey for the sake of experiment, but I have been considering them.

My Helicore XtraLong scale strings have settled in a bit now. And either I've become more accustomed to their tone, or they've warmed up a tad. Anyhow, they are sounding pretty good for now while I consider my future options.

September 15, 2015 at 05:55 PM · While internet string evaluations are useful, you'll really need to try a particular string on a particular instrument, combined with your particular taste in sound and playing characteristics, to know how well it works.

To add to the complexity, the instrument may need to be adjusted to get the best out of a particular string, and it may not be the same adjustment which will work best with another string.

About seven-to-ten years ago, a high level colleague told me that the Spirocore viola C was akin to "the second coming". I tried it on a few instruments, and didn't agree.

They work really well on cellos though, and a Spirocore C and G are among the most popular for high-level cellists.

September 15, 2015 at 06:17 PM · Thanks, David. I understand what you are saying about not knowing without trying.

But through the combined knowledge of a group of people in a forum like this, general characteristics can be established, as opposed to trying to take the manufacturer's description as an unbiased opinion on what they may sound like (curiously, almost ALL strings seem to have a "gut like" quality, unsurpassed responsiveness, and rock solid tuning stability...), or simply trying on an endless array of $100+ string sets to see what may happen to work by chance.

Sounds like some love the Spiro C, for others--meh...

September 15, 2015 at 07:14 PM · Rather than trying $100+ sets of stings, I'd recommend trying the lowest string first, and if that strikes your fancy, working your way up from there.

September 15, 2015 at 07:41 PM · Yes, that sounds reasonable.

Do you happen to have a favorite viola C string?

September 15, 2015 at 08:37 PM · As long as we are at it, what does anyone think of Pirastro PERMANENT viola strings? This is for a viola that does very well with Dominant strings, is a little scratchy sounding with Evah Pirazzi GOLD.

PERMANENTS are wonderful on my Strad-model cellos, which is what induced me to consider them for my viola. EDIT:: I'm back to answer my own question: I installed a set of Pirastro Permanent viola strings, first the C, which I allowed to settle for a day, and then the rest of the strings. I think they are the best strings I've ever had on that viola, which I've owned for 18 years. The C string produces a bit more fundamental (low C) than either Dominant or Evah Pirazzi Gold, and all the strings have both depth and "sparkle." (I know the low C is doing better because I use a clip on tuner and neither of the other strings would activate the "C" of the tuner unless I plucked them, but the Permanent does.)

My experience with Spirocore viola strings was mixed. One viola, a re graduated German instrument (probably a Schuster) was marvelous with them. The other viola (the one I kept) was terrible with them.

Andy

May 5, 2016 at 07:18 PM · I bought a Spirocore Tungsten C.

It wasn't long enough for one of my violas (silking was hanging over the nut), they don't sell a "long scale" version for violists who like nice, big violas (17-17.5")

I trimmed back the silking, it sounded pretty good.

Recently acquired a smaller viola (15.75"), tried it on there.

It sounds pretty good, but for the $55 for a single string cost, it is not garnering a recommendation from me. Instead of powerful, it sounded a bit muddy and muted.

I prefer the sound and pricepoint of DaDario's Kaplan C string.

Or a complete set of Warchal Brilliants for the same price as the single Spiro C.

Oh well.

May 6, 2016 at 03:03 PM · I tried the spirocore when I was looking for better response on my viola than the passione C was able to give. I didn't like it at all. It improved the response for sure but the sound suffered too much. And I never liked Evah paparazzi on this instrument. So I contacted Pirastro explaining what I was looking for and they sent me an Eudoxa/oliv C to try with the passione. Wow! I'm in love! That C string with passione G and D topped with aricore/Eudoxa A is a great combo.If only it wasn't so expensive....

May 21, 2016 at 06:56 PM · I use a Spirocore Tungsten C on my 1944 Francis A. Thorp viola. The A, D, and G strings are Larsen medium gauge. So far, this arrangement has worked well for my instrument.