| Introduction Installing Strings All-Metal or Steel-Core Strings Synthetic-Core Strings Gut-Core Strings A Final Note About Strings Buying Strings at Johnson String Instrument |
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We are frequently asked to help players decide which brand of string they should use on their instrument. String choice is dictated by playing style and the instrument’s individual qualities. The best way to choose the right string combination for an instrument is to consider what tonal qualities the player hears on the instrument, the brand or type of strings currently on the instrument, and the sound the player wants. For example, changing one or more strings can improve or change a part of the instrument’s range. However, a string that works well on one instrument may not produce the best sound with another because the final sound is a result of the interaction between three variables: the type of string, the instrument itself (does it have a bright sound? a dark sound? a nasal sound?), and the playing style of the musician.
There are basically three types of strings: all-metal strings, synthetic-core strings and gut-core strings. (Pure gut strings are usually used only on Baroque or Renaissance instruments and we don’t carry them).
Most string players change their strings about every six months. Although the string may still appear to be in good shape, over months of playing, strings gradually lose their brilliance and responsiveness. Investing in new strings every six to eight months means that your instrument will consistently produce its best sound.
When you need to change an entire set of strings, do not remove all of the old ones at once. You will lose the proper placement of the bridge, and the lack of tension may cause the soundpost to fall down. Remove only one string at a time, keeping all the others up to pitch. Thread the new string through the hole in the peg, and wind it evenly from the center of the peg to the just before edge of the peg box. Tighten the string only up to pitch so as not to weaken the string. If a relatively new string breaks after installation, take note of where the string broke. Your instrument may have developed a rough spot at the peg, the nut, or the fine tuner. Or, if the winding of the string is too close to the peg box wall, it may have been subject to sufficient stress to cause it to snap. Lubricating the grooves on the nut and bridge with a no. 2 pencil will reduce the chance of string breakage.
If a peg keeps slipping, causing the string to go out of tune, remove the peg and try putting a tiny bit of old fashioned school chalk on the parts of the peg that are shiny. This will create some traction. If the peg still keeps slipping, it may not fit properly and will need to be replaced. If a peg is too tight, try rubbing it with a bit of dry bar soap or peg compound, which is commercially available. Again, if this proves ineffective, take the instrument in to be looked at. Bear in mind that changes in humidity have a significant impact on pegs. This may be just a seasonal headache that needs to be dealt with every year, depending on the time of year.
All-metal strings, often called steel-core, have a simple, bright, and well-focused sound. Their advantage is very quick response, a stable pitch and volume (lots of it!). The downside of the all-metal string is a thin or edgy quality to the sound with few overtones and no real complexity. Country, folk and jazz musicians often prefer steel strings for their volume and pure, direct sound.
Thomastic – Spirocore. A bright sounding string with some edge. They are especially popular with cellists who need a great deal of brilliance. The cello G and C tungsten are high-tension strings with a big sound. The silver G and C have less of an edge to their sound. Spirocore bass strings are the most popular with musicians who play mostly pizzicato, such as jazz bass players.
Thomastik – Ropecore. Dark, warm tone, recommended by Zeta for their electric violins. They can sound a bit dull on some instruments.
Pirastro – Chromcor. A bright string, excellent for inexpensive student instruments, especially those of small size.
Pirastro – Chromcor Plus. Available for cello ( A and D only) and viola (A only). These strings have a more sophisticated sound than the regular Chromcor.
Pirastro – Permanent. Available only as an A string for both viola and cello. A high quality string with a warm sound, especially good when matched with gut strings.
D'Addario – Helicore. This string has a relatively warm sound, unusual for a steel-core string. Cellists and violists especially like the G and C strings. Violinists who play electric instruments have also taken to these strings. Although introduced fairly recently, the Helicore Orchestra bass strings are getting good reviews. Newly announced by D'Addario are additional Helicore bass strings: the Hybrid, Pizzicato and Solo. The Hybrid is for players who want both a good bowing response and a good pizzicato response. The Pizzicato is for the player who plays primarily or solely without a bow. The Solo is a version of the Orchestra string designed to be tuned to a higher pitch for solo work.
Jargar. These strings have been popular for many decades, especially with cellists, who have made the Jargar A the string of choice. The G and C strings are also available with silver winding for a brighter, more brilliant sound. Jargar strings have a warmer sound than most other all-metal strings.
Larsen. These premium priced strings were introduced only a few years ago and have become popular with cellists for their pure, clear sound. The Larsen "Solo Edition" strings have a brighter, more brilliant sound. Available as A, D and G (tungsten) for cello and A for viola.
Prim. These inexpensive, bright strings have an edginess to their sound that is popular with fiddlers and some cellists.
Supersensitive. Low price and durability make these strings popular with many school systems.
Synthetic-core strings, usually made from a type of nylon called perlon, have a rich, full tone quality and an easy, quick response. Although not as complex or subtle as gut-core strings, the synthetic-core brands still share many tonal qualities with gut strings. In addition, synthetic-core strings do not need to be tuned as often as gut-core, and stabilize after a day or two of stretching on the instrument.
Thomastic – Dominant. The original synthetic-core string, made with perlon. Dominant strings are bright and responsive and are by far the most popular strings for violin and viola. When new, Dominant strings have a slightly metallic sound, which fades after a few days of playing.
Pirastro – Tonica. Brilliant like the Dominants, Tonica strings have a fuller sound with more overtones and less edginess. The break-in time is very short and they are reported to have a long average life.
Pirastro – Aricore. This was Pirastro 's first synthetic string. The sound is warm and mellow like the Eudoxa. The D, G and C are popular with cellists who require a darker sound.
Pirastro – Synoxa. Very similar to the Dominant strings in brilliance. The silver cello G and C work well with steel A and D strings such as Jargar or Larsen.
Corelli – Crystal. These strings are excellent for instruments with a very bright sound. They have a warm, full sound that can reduce the harshness of many bright instruments.
Corelli – Alliance. These premium-priced strings have a kevlar core. Their sound has more brilliance than the Corelli Crystal, along with richness and complexity of tone. Alliance strings also seem to have a longer life than most other synthetic strings.
Gut-core strings tend to have the greatest richness and subtlety. Most often used by professional classical musicians, a gut string produces a warm sound, full of complexity with rich overtones. Gut strings are, however, prone to weather effects, must stretch on the instrument for almost a week before stabilizing, and go out of tune frequently. They also don’t last as long as the metal or synthetic strings and are more expensive. Gut strings are usually not used by beginning or intermediate players.
Pirastro – Oliv. These premium strings have a brilliant sound with rich, complex overtones and a relatively fast response. The Oliv E is gold plated and has an unusually pure, clear and brilliant sound.
Pirastro – Eudoxa. One of the most popular types of strings before the introduction of synthetic core strings, the Eudoxa has a warm, mellow sound, albeit with a slower response than the Oliv or synthetic-core strings. Great on some older instruments, they can sound a bit dull on others.
Pirastro - Gold Label. An economy gut string with a sound midway between the other Pirastro gut strings. Available only in medium gauges. The violin E string is popular for its brilliance.
All of the E strings for violin and most of the favored A strings for viola and cello are all-metal. Otherwise, on violin and viola, the synthetic-core strings are by far the most popular (though some fiddle players prefer the added volume of all-metal strings.) On cello, we see more variety in the type and brand of strings being used. While metal top (A&D) and synthetic bottom (G&C) combinations are quite popular, some cellists and bassists find they want the added brilliance or clarity they get from using metal strings for all four strings. And for all instruments, some people just love the gut string sound and are willing to put up with its side effects.
Ultimately the only way to find out if a particular string or brand works on your instrument is to try it. If you would like any help deciding which strings to try next, please feel free to stop by or give us a call, and we will be happy to get you headed in the right direction.
