D'Addario's Prelude, Pirastro's Tonicas or Thomastik's Dominant? Why?

February 27, 2016 at 12:25 PM · About the violin string chart, well, as you can see, Corelli's Crystal are one of the warmer sets out there. Nevertheless, the CEO of Shar states:

"Q: What do you look for in an E-string?

A: Tone quality and durability. I happen to prefer a really brilliant sound. I am currently using a Corelli Crystal E which may be too bright for some musicians..."

A "really brilliant" sound, and chooses almost the less brilliant set according to the chart. I think that already answers the question about the chart's accuracy.

February 28, 2016 at 07:41 AM · If you want bright, forget the synthetic strings, go get a set of steel strings!

D'Addario Helicore is a good place to start.

February 28, 2016 at 07:51 AM · On your first question, I think Helicore could do it, but I personally find them a bit plain. I actually have seen people use them to get rid of the shrill from student Chinese violins. However on my main violin I found that Pirastro Chromcor makes it really bright and loud, unbelievably loud! If I were going for brightness, that's what I personally would use.

On the second question, I prefer Tonicas over Dominants because to me they have more interesting overtones and the E string isn't as shrill as the Dominant E (and Tonicas are a lot cheaper). And I don't care for Preludes, they always felt boring and very basic for me.

I think the chart is relatively accurate, but different violins might respond differently to different strings.

February 28, 2016 at 09:00 AM · I would get Zyex.

February 28, 2016 at 01:17 PM · Well, hahaha, let me ask this before everything...

Do a set of strings can change the sound of the violin that much?

Can they make a dark, too warm violin sound became a bright, brilliant sound?

So, you guys recommend me Helicore, Chromecor or Zyex?

Which one would be the most bright one?

Also, the violin is new, less than a year it has, could it be that I need to play it a lot in order to make it brighter?

Thank you.

February 28, 2016 at 03:03 PM · String choice can not only change the sound of a violin but they can also completely change its playability. Also different rosins can make a difference. And the bow can be more important than the violin.

I have found that Pirastro "Flexocor Permanent" violin strings can really perk up a violin that is a bit dull.

Larsen Tzigane strings can really perk up the upper G-string octaves of a violin that is otherwise absolutely terrible above the G string's first octave.

Thomastik's Peter Infeld (PI) platinum E string can (may) improve all the other strings on a violin you are not very happy with. I have used the PI E string with PI strings, Vision Solo, and "Flexocore Permanent" A, D, and G strings.

Thomastik Dominant strings were the first synthetic core strings marketed and seem to have become the baseline or standard. But they do not work optimally on all violins.

Andy

February 28, 2016 at 05:05 PM · The chart isn't accurate Pirastro Passion, Obligato and Evah Pirazzi Gold are warm and complexe too...

If you want a bright sound, try Jargar strings, Pirastro Chromacor or D'addario Helicore.

February 28, 2016 at 05:12 PM · Here's the thing: Strings can tweak the sound of an instrument but do not change its basic character. If you aren't happy wth the basic character of the instrument, strings aren't likely to do anything more than mitigate some of your disappointment. Playing-in an instrument won't change that basic character, either.

At $250, you have a cheap violin whose tonal characteristics are probably pretty dubious in general. You said you just purchased it. Return it and get something else that you like. Try out the next violin before you buy it.

February 28, 2016 at 05:13 PM · Strings can change sound. But good players learn to compensate by playing differently with different strings to get the sound they want to hear. I have used Amos, Cantiga, Vivace, Zyex, Dominant, Karneol, Amber, Helicore. I have settled on Cantiga for the best bang for the buck on my violins. Excellent playability and longevity and a neutral sound that doesn't lack complexity.

February 28, 2016 at 05:22 PM · The chart is for complete sets, not individual strings.

E.G. Crystal has warm lower string, but a hard, bright E

I find Tonicas brighter than Dominants, andd both have a gut-like tension that lets the wood transmit their brilliance.

Zyex (harsh?) and Pro Arte (dull) are both high tension.

Prelude and Chromcor (steel and tense) are "beginners" strings, better on small, stiff instruments.

Good all-rounder steel strings are Spirocore (medium-high tension( and Helcore (high tension)

If your violin is dull toned and feels heavy compared to others, you can indeed try Preludes to "wake it up", and go to synthetics if it get harsh over time.

My 2 centimes d'Euro..