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Barb Wimmer |
This discussion includes members-only video content Hi Everyone , I have a strings question for anyone who can answer please. I was given strings from my Secret Santa at work and want to know about them, how to put them on, but more if anyone has used these before. Thanks Barb Wimmer 20 Responses Posted: December 17, 2019 Last Comment: December 20, 2019 |
Replies
Barb Wimmer Posted: December 20, 2019 |
This discussion includes members-only video content Oh my I think it works Thanks for everyone's help. |
Barb Wimmer Posted: December 20, 2019 |
This discussion includes members-only video content Ok trying again. Hopefully the video after this I may have an e string on. |
Posted: December 20, 2019 |
There are a lot of videos on youtube about changing strings I was going to post one for you but there were so many I was not sure how to choose Good luck |
 Elke Meier Posted: December 20, 2019 |
Barb, I never trim the strings. You just have to wind around a bit more until it is in tune :). That is not a problem. Just the string sticking out and scratching, that is a problem. You don't pull the string all the way THROUGH the two holes. You thread it into the hole from the top, then you start turning the peg to see the other end of the hole and push the string through until you see the end of the string at the other hole, but it shouldn't stick out of the other hole more than maybe a millimeter. Sometimes I bend the string manually at the point where it then starts to wind around the peg. Otherwise it likes to slip out again when you start turning and that can be annoying because you have to start over again. |
Barb Wimmer Posted: December 20, 2019 |
Elke he says you have to trim it. I would like to avoid that. So I will try one more time through one whole and then other hole on peg and twist around only twist around on e string and over not under |
Elke Meier Posted: December 20, 2019 |
Barb, you only put it through the hole to the end of the hole, not sticking out like this (follow Kevin's instructions carefully, he shows it in the video). That is the tricky part. Sticking up like it does right now, it will damage your peg box as the sharp end scratches the wood! So, if this was my violin, I would definitely take it off again. You did it right in that the string goes OVER the peg, not under it before it is wound (otherwise you would never know which way to turn in the tuning...). Also, make sure you follow Michael's drawing (Kevin also shows this) by first doing one or two windings on one side of the hole, then crossing over the string again and do the rest of the windings on the other side of the hole. It is the crossing over the string that keeps the string in place and keeps it from slipping when the tension gets more. |
Posted: December 20, 2019 |
Barb, you've inspired me to have a go at string changing. Looks like you've done a good job!I have an old set of dominants that I want to put on my original stentor to see if it will allow me to use it for practice when my main one is having a new bridge in January (original stentor strings really cut into my fingers). I shall let the luthier put new strings on my main violin at the same time - but the next string change will need to be done by me. Very nervous, but it needs to be done :) |
 Dianne Posted: December 19, 2019 |
Barb can you post a picture of your peg box if you would like feedback on the winding. I'm sure you did a great job, though. |
Barb Wimmer Posted: December 19, 2019 |
Michael I think that is what I did through hole an up like that. But I can’t remember. I’m analyzing whether to start over or keep tightening slowly. |
 Michael Baumgardner Posted: December 19, 2019 |
Barb, this always helps me: |
Barb Wimmer Posted: December 19, 2019 |
This discussion includes members-only video content Changing e string - should I start over, why does it stick up, do I keep tightening it? |
Elke Meier Posted: December 19, 2019 |
Barb, here is how I would handle this situation: I would put the strings on and see whether you like them. Cheap (I was surprised to see that there are even strings that cheap - less than 3$ for the whole set!) could also mean that they are hard to play or that they unravel quickly or that the E-string is very sharp or... - but it could also be that you really like them. If you don't like them you have nothing lost if you exchange them again. Actually, then I would just consider them practice strings for string changing :). For string changing: The most important thing is to follow the instructions to a T, not let yourself be sidetracked to do something else. Then I found the process quite safe. He is very good in explaining it all. Take the time to watch the whole video before you start taking strings off the violin. You always change one string at a time, i.e. take one off and put the new on back on before taking the next one off. You need Hill Peg Compound to prepare the pegs. And I always have tweezers at hand because the A-string sometimes is hard to get to without. Well, and sure, the tuner is right by so I won't overstretch them. |
Barb Wimmer Posted: December 18, 2019 |
Thanks. So many choices and thoughts. I like my vision solo strings Infeld ones but they I think they are becoming more dull. On that chart I think I like direct strings more than warm strings. I like bold more than bright and dark is interesting and am beginning to appreciate smoothness. I know my gift amola ones are inexpensive but person who gave to me plays guitar so I wonder if they have an eveness to them. But I saw they are considered easy to tune and beginners strings. Not sure what beginner strings mean. I tend to want a Stradivarius violin and sound but I have a beginners education in violin maintenance and knowledge of strings. |
Posted: December 18, 2019 |
Another string chart. |
Posted: December 18, 2019 |
Hi Barb, Hope this helps. And yes, in descending order of diameter thickness: G, D, A, and finally E. The E string is typically a single strand of material. When the E string is 'in tune' it is also is at its tensional strength which means it will be the easiest string to break. It is also why it has one of those plastic tubes on it which needs to be placed between it and the bridge. Like many things in the arts this chart is subjective as to the exact position each brand of strings is placed but it does give a fair place to start from. Hope this helps. |
Barb Wimmer Posted: December 18, 2019 |
New strings definitely make a bolder clearer sound. It look like these strings are not named g d a e but 4th 3rd 2nd 1st. Which one is which? 4-looks thickest so guessing g? |
 James Walley Posted: December 18, 2019 |
Oh, strings definitely make a drastic difference in the sound of your instrument -- as people who start out with inexpensive Chinese starter violins (which usually come with ultra-cheap strings) find out as soon as they replace it with a decent set. The problem is, there's no agreed-upon standard for "best" strings, as it really depends on one's own preference between dark and light tone, fast versus slow response, etc. The general consensus I've seen is that Thomastik Dominants are the most neutral strings, in terms of being balanced between each of the different qualities, but that doesn't make them "best," just not going too far in one direction or another, which might mean they don't have enough of the qualities that are important to a particular player but anathema to another. (Incidentally, for those who like Dominants, I've found that the Fiddlerman in-house strings are very, very close tonally, for about half the price.) |
Barb Wimmer Posted: December 18, 2019 |
Thank you James and Elke. I will keep my other strings but they are dulling. I have heard some say that strings do not matter much. I was told by one violin teacher to always use my 80 dollar set solo strings for this Heinzel violin. I was told by another teacher opposite. Makes me realize good strings do not make a great player. I know not much about strings either. Just hear things like gut strings have great sound and are hard to tune. So Elke how long did it take you to put strings on? Did you break any and have to start over or was it super easy? Anything I need to be careful of? Thanks for video looks doable |
Elke Meier Posted: December 18, 2019 |
Sorry that I have to disappoint you: they are definitely not gut (well, I guess gut strings would be asked too much for a secret Santa situation...). They are Steel/Nickel (whatever that would be in English). Google for Amola strings and you get more information. As for changing strings: I still follow Kevin's instructions - meaning, I start the video and stop it whenever the next step comes and follow those instructions to the last bit. It works well. |
James Walley Posted: December 18, 2019 |
I've never heard of that brand of strings before, but that's scarcely surprising, since I don't know that many in the first place. I'm guessing they're steel-wound, either over a steel or a synthetic core. (I prefer synthetic, but that's just my own personal taste.) It's a good idea for any violinist to learn to change their own strings, not just for the savings but because you may never know when you are going to need to change a string at a performance or lesson. HINT: save your most recent old strings when you change them, they'll serve as good emergency replacements because they're already pre-stretched. There are many, many videos on YouTube showing how to change strings -- that's how I learned. |