Choosing (and Changing) the Best Strings
Don't throw away your old strings! Bring them to Dr. Palmer, and we'll RECYCLE them
with D'Addario's PlayBack program.
with D'Addario's PlayBack program.
from D'Addario Orchestral
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From an ASTA Discussion Board (used with permission from the author)
Solid Steel Core strings - Made with one piece of steel as the core are known for their bright tone, durability, tuning stability, and easy bow response. Solid steel core strings are popular with students as well as professional fiddlers. Most professional violin, viola and cello players use solid steel core strings for their high E, A, or A&D strings Stranded Steel Core - Made with multiple strands of steel making them more flexible and warmer in tone while providing the same stability of solid steel core strings. Most commonly used by fiddlers or on electric violins but are also popular with some professional viola players. Almost all professional cellist use a stranded steel core G&C and many professional bassist use stranded steel core sets. Nylon Core Strings - the original synthetic core strings made with multiple fibers of nylon as the core. These strings are known to have a more "gut like" tone and bow response with better tuning stability. They are most commonly used by both students and professionals on violin and viola. Advanced Synthetic Core - made using a synthetic created by the aerospace industry to resist heat and friction. Advanced synthetic strings are have the tuning stability of steel core string and a flexibility closest to gut. They are most commonly used in professional violin and viola strings but have gained popularity with advancing students as well professional double bassists. Gut Core - The original string made primarily with sheep gut and know for their flexibility and abundant overtones. Gut strings were what most players used up until the 1970's. They are still used today by many professionals or players that admire the unique beauty of the gut tone. As for your question about gauges, most violinists use medium gauge strings because the violin has a standard vibrating string length. Strong and light string gauges are more commonly used on viola, cello, and bass because the vibrating string length can vary from instrument to instrument. For example it is better to use a strong or heavy gauge string on a smaller 15" viola because of it shorter vibrating string like while longer 17" violas are better suited with light gauge strings. Best regards, Ed Mingo Marketing Manager for USA Pirastro GmbH Offenbach [email protected] |
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