Strings

[Debbie Hill]

Needing new strings. I’m leaning towards steel core but then things pop up like ” aluminium A”. What does that mean? Do I want that?

[Nick Wilkins]

Hi Debbie,
Maybe this is of use:
https://maestronet.com/forum/index.php?/topic/337712-aluminum-vs-silver-string-windings/

[Debbie Hill]

Wow! Thanks Nick. Lots of good info!

[Michael G]

On a related note, I was reading a blog that mentioned a ‘non-whistling E’ string which I found intriguing. A quick search brought me here: https://www.juststrings.com/dad-ks311w-4-4m.html. It’s also an aluminum wound string.

I struggle getting a nice round tone from my E string so I gave this a try, and it definitely improved the tone on my E. I had to look at it with a magnifier to see the winding, since the E string is so thin. I’ve also purchased a set of Obligatos for the other three strings, but haven’t put them on just yet. The Obligatos are very expensive (about $100 for the set). They helped mellow out the tone of my old German factory-made student violin. I’m eager to hear what they’ll sound like on the higher quality Chinese-made violin I purchased a few months ago.

[WyoBob]

I have the most experience with Helicore, Prim and Pirastro Chromcor steel strings.

I liked the tone of the Helicore mediums but had read on the Fiddle Hangout about problems with their wound with aluminum A string. I’ve never worn through the windings which seems to be the main complaint. But, I ran into several wound A’s that were “wonky” in their tuning. I tried the Helicore titanium wound A and had the same problem with one of them. With most of the A’s, you could get them in tune and they didn’t seem to hold well. I also replaced the Helicore E with a Goldbrokat E and Pirastro Gold label (and use them with the Prims and Chromcor’s I have on my two fiddles now) and thought they sounded better. The Helicore are steel stranded with windings (with the exception of the E.)

I gave up on the Helicore’s and tried Prims and Chromcor’s and have those strings on my two fiddles. They have a single steel core with windings (except for the E) The Prims are the lowest cost (around $26.00 at Southwest Strings) and the Chromcor’s are around $44.00. I much prefer either of these strings over the Helicore’s. I think the Prim’s are a bit brighter than the Chromcor’s and I tried both strings on both fiddles. One likes the Prim’s the best, the other, Chromcor’s. They hold tuning well and stand up to cross tuning very well.

A tip in case you don’t know. I always “lube” the nut and bridge grooves with graphite from a pencil. This helps the string slide when adjusting/changing tuning.

[Debbie Hill]

Thanks for the info!

[margaret Olscamp]

How do you know when it’s time to change strings? My A string seems to have very little sustain compared to the others. Should I try changing only that one? I am using J810 Medium tension. I would try another “better” brand but a former teacher told me I shouldn’t bother because I probable couldn’t hear the difference.

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