SteveLaBonne Posted October 22, 2003 Report Share Posted October 22, 2003 Recently I bought one, and the damn thing was false right out of the envelope. Was that a fluke, or have other people had problems with them lately? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omobono Posted October 22, 2003 Report Share Posted October 22, 2003 sorry to hear of your misfortune - wonder if you might get some recourse from either the supplier or the manufacturer? I've never used their products but a lot of cello's were strung with them. better luck... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleeviola Posted October 22, 2003 Report Share Posted October 22, 2003 I only tried it once, and it didn't sound as good or last as long as my Larsen, so I decided the maker was right about what works best with my instrument. It wasn't false right out of the package, however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLaBonne Posted October 22, 2003 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2003 I used to like them on my old viola, and the quality was always good in those days, that's why I was shocked. I'm looking for an alternative to (medium) Larsen which is a little too strong on my new viola. My next try (in the mail as we speak) will be a dolce Larsen- that might do the trick, though I wonder how the instrument will react to the combination of that with three heavy-tension strings. I suppose Pirastro Permanent will be next on the list if the dolce Larsen doesn't work out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K544 Posted October 22, 2003 Report Share Posted October 22, 2003 Have you tried either the Helicore or Zyex A's? They are plain wound steel (indeed, they are probably the same string), and I use them interchangeably. I like them both at least as well as the Jargar A. They may be a little "hotter" than some other A's, but a slightly lighter, slightly faster stroke takes care of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLaBonne Posted October 22, 2003 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2003 Tried and didn't like the Helicore A (I find the sound very dead in the high positions). Zyex is on my list of ones I'd probably like to try sometime. But "hot" is kind of the opposite of what I'm looking for. Right now I'm hoping the dolce Larsen will give me the sweet, singing sound all the way up the scale that I admire in the medium, without the excessive "punch" which is a little out of context with the other strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flaco Posted October 22, 2003 Report Share Posted October 22, 2003 I used to like them also but eventually found them to be too bright and inconsistent. I'm open to trying other A strings now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazy jane Posted October 22, 2003 Report Share Posted October 22, 2003 I'm using a Permanent A right now and like it much more than the previous Larsen (which, in turn, I liked much more than the Helicore). I am looking for power and brilliance. When I was young, I used a plain (unwrapped) gut A--really different. I tore through them, but they were so inexpensive and provided a more resonant sound, which I needed on that smaller, crummier viola. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LanceCat Posted October 23, 2003 Report Share Posted October 23, 2003 What is meant by the term "false"? I'm knew to the string world. I've seen the term on other posts & haven't figured it out yet. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokie Posted October 23, 2003 Report Share Posted October 23, 2003 My friend, who is now in college, recommended me to get Piastro Tonica for C, G, D. And Jargar A. During region tryouts, someone needed an A string, so I gave them mine. Therefore I don't have a Jargar A string yet (I ordered it about 2 days ago along with a set of Obligato strings). So far, the Tonica sounds OK... much better than the crappy Dominants that everybody at school seems to like. Will post back when i get the Jargar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLaBonne Posted October 23, 2003 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2003 "False" means the open string doesn't produce a pure tone when it vibrates, but a combination of pitches that results in audible "beats". This happens when the mass per unit length isn't constant along the length of the string. That's why strings eventually go false after long use- they develop thin spots as they stretch. But they should start out uniform when they're manufactured! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LanceCat Posted October 23, 2003 Report Share Posted October 23, 2003 Thanks for the info. I am on my first set of Dominants. The're only a week old, so there ok so far. (I thought my D was false, but based on your explanation, I now believe that it wasn't "broken in" as it now seems better.) However, based on other posts, I've got a set of Tonicas on order also! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokie Posted October 23, 2003 Report Share Posted October 23, 2003 Ahh yes.. Dominants do have a tendency to sound very very tinny when you first put them on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLaBonne Posted October 27, 2003 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2003 The dolce Larsen seems to do the trick, just as I'd hoped. As a bonus, the reduced pressure on the treble foot of the bridge seems to have slightly opened up the sound on the other strings. Seems like anybody who basically likes the medium Larsen but finds it a bit too strong, might want to try the dolce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
altistitar* Posted November 4, 2003 Report Share Posted November 4, 2003 I have one, but it was too shrill for my viola which in my opinion has a bit too bright A. I kept it for emergency situations. Now I'm using a Larsen dolce with the rest Dominants, and it's OK. But the best A I've tried is the new Evah Pirazzi - anyone of you tried that? I can't really describe it because it unfortunately broke and they are kind of hard to find here so I'm back to Larsen. But I do remember it sounded extraordinary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omobono Posted November 5, 2003 Report Share Posted November 5, 2003 I've had an E.Pirazzi viola A on for about two weeks, replacing a Larsen A. I prefered the Larsen or the two I would think. To me the E.P. is - a little more shrill - not quite as rich in sound - not as even throughout the range of pitch. I am waiting to try it with a full set of EP's but until that day will for try a set of Zyex (should have them in a few days, finally, for $25 from South West Strings) Keep you posted. Omo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy989 Posted November 5, 2003 Report Share Posted November 5, 2003 I'm not sure how similar it is to the Evah A because I haven't tried that, but I very much liked the medium Permanent A that I tried. Just as powerful, responsive and warm as Larsen, but a slightly fuller sound on my viola. It was a little bit difficult to play...I might try a weich at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokie Posted November 8, 2003 Report Share Posted November 8, 2003 I think that your A was a dud.. I just bought 3 Jargar As and they all sound quite fine. Not to mention there was no break-in needed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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