Are 4 fine tuners o.k to use with Evah Pirazzi strings?

[KeePfiddlin]

Just curious. I heard certain types of strings cannot be used with fine tuners, such as gut-core. EPs are synthetic core. Does that mean it's o.k to use fine tuners with them? Specifically, built in fine tuners for Witnner tailpieces.

Thanks for all replies.

[flamenco]

I can't see why not. It shouldn't be necessary to use an FT tailpiece, but they should work fine.

Steve

[crystal]

I am using Evah's now with my Wittner tuner/tailpiece. It works just fine.

[Andrew Victor]

I recommend AGAINST adding fine tuners to a conventional wooden tailpiece (except for the E-string tuner). The added mass and the shortening of thelength of string behind the bridge can spoil the instrument's tone a bit - at least on some instruments.

I have found no reason to avoid using a tailpiece with built-in tuner with synthetic-core strings. But do be sure that the tuner "fork" does not crush or otherwise damage the string winding near the end-ball and thus shorten the string's life. Given this precaution, your EPs should live long and happy lives with fine tuners and serve you well. The fine tuner can help with minor tuning adjustments, although you still want to use the pegs for major adjustments and keep them in good working order.

Andy

[sage]

I have tried the fine tuners on a wooden tailpiece then without the fine tuners and I heard no difference in the tone.

[Collin]

It depends on the instrument, sage.

[DiemViolins]

Fine tuners are only meant to allow fine tuning. If tuning (and fine tuning included) is not possible with the pegs than that particular string or strings has to be fitted with a fine tuner. On most E strings one is using a fine tuner. When fine tuners are installed the best is to use the integrated ones (e.g. Wittner) because this does not affect weight and afterlength.

But in most cases when gut strings or synthetic substitutes are used there's no need to use fine tuners. Weight contribution to the tail piece and the effect due to the too short afterlength may both have negative results in sound.

[Steve_W]

Integrated fine tuners can be very handy in performance situations where you may need to make quick minor adjustments in tuning--though possibly more so in fiddling than in classical playing because of the more frequent use of open strings. I have Wittner Ultras installed on 3 of my 4 violins (using synthetic strings) and really like them. The Ultra replaced an Ebony Pusch tailpiece with integrated tuners on my main violin, a good bench-made Strad copy, and made a significant difference in its tone, which was a bit dull with the Pusch and is now somewhat brighter.

Edit--back to the original topic, I don't have experience with Evah's but I've used Pirastro Obligatos and Tonicas with fine tuners with no problems (not to mention Thomastik Dominants & Infelds and Corelli Crystals).

[Jacob]

The point being not the mechanism itself, but added weight and shortened afterlength. Ergo, built-in fine-tuners are OK in general, for any type of string. There are many professional orchestra players who welcome the convenience of these, regardless of the type of string.

[DiemViolins]

For any type of string?

Fine tuners don't have hardly any effect on gut strings.

[Michael_Molnar]

quote:

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Originally posted by:

KeePfiddlin

Just curious. I heard certain types of strings cannot be used with fine tuners, such as gut-core. EPs are synthetic core. Does that mean it's o.k to use fine tuners with them? Specifically, built in fine tuners for Witnner tailpieces.

Thanks for all replies.

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Hi,

In my experience, one could use fine tuners for all EP strings. There is no PHYSICAL reason not to do so.

Esthetically however, this is atrocious! Are the peg setups THAT BAD? Whatever, don't do this for instruments intended in the concert hall.

I have very limited experience with gut strings, thus I cannot comment. But I suspect my remarks stand for both.

Comments from the aficionados?