I liked the first couple of rounds. The first or secod sets of strings hand more brilliance and better balance. I liked the roundness of the Tonica but the first in series or second in series had a symphonic brilliance the others lacked. Excellant comparison and bravo to the young lady playing such an intricate piece.
Conclusions: 1. Dominant E string is horrible. Absolutely horrible. The rest are good. 2. Tonicas are the most complete set with no need to swap out the E string. Solid set. 3. The other 2 sets are meh.
Tonicas are the best all round. They have by far the best sound, even on this very basic violin, and are inexpensive. They are very good value for money. Dominants are harsher and more expensive. I used them years ago when there was very little in the mid range, price wise, but since the arrival of Tonicas l have recommended these all the way.
Just bought the Conservatoire and know I'm going to want to change strings and on watching a few videos one had said that the Dominants have an E string with a kind of wah-wah sound and it seems really obvious on this though it could be mic quality - but the Tonica's seem better. Which is a shame because the Dominants seem beautiful on the G-D strings. Think Tonica's will be my pick as they just seem all over better clarity on every string
@JB - 11ZZ 849239 Bramalea SS that may well be true, however.. Firstly, not helpful after having already bought my Stentor ;) and Secondly, they cost about $150US to ship to my country which makes any perceived saving/quality differences essentially gone
The last 2 string were similar and improved things a lot. I guess being a student violin you have built in things that cannot be fixes, they help did not eliminate the boxyness of the sound of the G string. That comes from the violin cavity resonance and is what it is.
Yeah, I still have my student 2 and I put a new bridge tail piece and the same synth dominant strings on it. Improved the sound a lot. Especially the higher pitches. Got it away from being a screech box. But the lowers where always very boxy. You had to be really precise to get a good sound. When I upgraded to a fine made czech I couldn't believe it lol. Felt like I had been cheating myself for some time.
There are no "overall best strings"--only what sounds the best for your instrument and ears. You really have to experiment with different sets of strings and come up with your conclusion. When you upgrade instruments, you'll have to go through the same process all over again. Also, increased loudness and brightness don't always mean better. Sometimes, you'll want to compromise a bit of projection for a more focused and balanced sound across all the strings. It really depends what music you're playing, the acoustics of the venue, and who your intended audience (if any) are. For this instrument, I feel that the Dominants are the most focused, balanced, but least bright of the 4. The E string in particular sounds dull and maybe adding a Jargar E, or similar, would enhance the set. The Stentors sound the brightest, but are a bit harsh sounding. The Alphayue's and Tonica's both sound good, with a slight edge to the Alphayue's. Of the two, I'd stock up on what's on sale and play, play, and play!
This is how they all sound but i disregard the stentor sting set.. Alpahyue: sounds the brightest, concise, and quite neutral but slightly brighter... Tonica: i Know that most of u prefer tonica, for me its the most consistent among the 3 sets, quick bow response, clearer, slightly darker and warmer, and yes i like it but the sound is just straight forward or very clean, it pretty reminds me of steel and gut combine, but very clean and dont last longer than 6months maybe its just me, btw it last me 5 moths of use before it started to detonate its sound quality... Thats why im done with that set... Dominant 😍😍: i absolutely love this set although its not as fast as tonic when it comes to bow response, at least the Dominant offers more than what you expect from tonica. The dominant sounds more complex, richer than the 2 sets, still clear though, i love the texture sound that the dominant offer it feels like your using a gut string but faster! I also noticed that the dominant is slightly more direct than tonica and alpha but for most of its just almost the same and it last me almost 7 months!!!! But i already bought a new one 2moths ago after tonica... However there's a fauts here... The dominant E string is kinda bit crappy, sometimes it whek whek or squeak sometimes, yup dominant E is really weird and it seems obvious in the video, but no worries cuz i already replaced my Dominant E to Pirastro Gold E and it helps me a lot. Conclusion: For me i definitely recommend all of those three sets of strings regardless of that Strentor set... But if u don't know what to choose i think dominant will help u discover how your instrument react... Thats all!!!!!
For student violin I think its more suitable with stentor string since the sound more regular and dominant make the sound more upgrade. For alphayue not suitable for beginner violin its suitable for pro/advance violin sound since its more focusing the the warner violin sound. Beginner violin not warmer
None of the strings save the Stentor II from its inherent raspiness and cluster of unpleasant overtones which are entirely lacking in warmth or depth. I have no idea why this fiddle is so popular. There are other inexpensive violins that sound much better and no amount of new strings will make the Stentor any better.
@@windmill-ze8rj. Hello. It’s a very interesting video. Dominants are pretty expensive really for a beginner and I’ve found Tonics half the price and debatably just as good. I’m tending to favour Ascenté by D’Addario, which have a nice sound and similarly priced to the Tonicas. I have quite a few fiddles and mess around with bridges and sound posts to try to get the best sound so cost comes into this. Don’t do what I did 50 years ago and buy a second hand fiddle that needs setting up, certainly if you want to learn to play !! I’ve heard some pretty good sounding Conservatours so if it’s within your budget get one. Good luck.
I liked the first couple of rounds. The first or secod sets of strings hand more brilliance and better balance. I liked the roundness of the Tonica but the first in series or second in series had a symphonic brilliance the others lacked. Excellant comparison and bravo to the young lady playing such an intricate piece.
Conclusions:
1. Dominant E string is horrible. Absolutely horrible. The rest are good.
2. Tonicas are the most complete set with no need to swap out the E string. Solid set.
3. The other 2 sets are meh.
Tonics by far the best to my ears! They have more clarity
Amazing demo. I think the violinist makes them all sound great.
This is amazing stuff. Never thought about this way to analyze the tonal quality. Now it makes sense
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Tonicas are the best all round. They have by far the best sound, even on this very basic violin, and are inexpensive. They are very good value for money. Dominants are harsher and more expensive. I used them years ago when there was very little in the mid range, price wise, but since the arrival of Tonicas l have recommended these all the way.
Just bought the Conservatoire and know I'm going to want to change strings and on watching a few videos one had said that the Dominants have an E string with a kind of wah-wah sound and it seems really obvious on this though it could be mic quality - but the Tonica's seem better. Which is a shame because the Dominants seem beautiful on the G-D strings. Think Tonica's will be my pick as they just seem all over better clarity on every string
@JB - 11ZZ 849239 Bramalea SS that may well be true, however..
Firstly, not helpful after having already bought my Stentor ;)
and
Secondly, they cost about $150US to ship to my country which makes any perceived saving/quality differences essentially gone
The last 2 string were similar and improved things a lot. I guess being a student violin you have built in things that cannot be fixes, they help did not eliminate the boxyness of the sound of the G string. That comes from the violin cavity resonance and is what it is.
Yeah, I still have my student 2 and I put a new bridge tail piece and the same synth dominant strings on it. Improved the sound a lot. Especially the higher pitches. Got it away from being a screech box. But the lowers where always very boxy. You had to be really precise to get a good sound. When I upgraded to a fine made czech I couldn't believe it lol. Felt like I had been cheating myself for some time.
Like the Tonica strings
thank you for the video! it's so useful for us. we are making a chose now :). my son needs 4/4 violin. )
There are no "overall best strings"--only what sounds the best for your instrument and ears. You really have to experiment with different sets of strings and come up with your conclusion. When you upgrade instruments, you'll have to go through the same process all over again. Also, increased loudness and brightness don't always mean better. Sometimes, you'll want to compromise a bit of projection for a more focused and balanced sound across all the strings. It really depends what music you're playing, the acoustics of the venue, and who your intended audience (if any) are.
For this instrument, I feel that the Dominants are the most focused, balanced, but least bright of the 4. The E string in particular sounds dull and maybe adding a Jargar E, or similar, would enhance the set. The Stentors sound the brightest, but are a bit harsh sounding. The Alphayue's and Tonica's both sound good, with a slight edge to the Alphayue's. Of the two, I'd stock up on what's on sale and play, play, and play!
Hilary Hahn uses Dominant strings. She sounds okay.
well hilary also plays on a 450k violin so i hope we would sound ok
This is how they all sound but i disregard the stentor sting set..
Alpahyue: sounds the brightest, concise, and quite neutral but slightly brighter...
Tonica: i Know that most of u prefer tonica, for me its the most consistent among the 3 sets, quick bow response, clearer, slightly darker and warmer, and yes i like it but the sound is just straight forward or very clean, it pretty reminds me of steel and gut combine, but very clean and dont last longer than 6months maybe its just me, btw it last me 5 moths of use before it started to detonate its sound quality... Thats why im done with that set...
Dominant 😍😍: i absolutely love this set although its not as fast as tonic when it comes to bow response, at least the Dominant offers more than what you expect from tonica. The dominant sounds more complex, richer than the 2 sets, still clear though, i love the texture sound that the dominant offer it feels like your using a gut string but faster! I also noticed that the dominant is slightly more direct than tonica and alpha but for most of its just almost the same and it last me almost 7 months!!!! But i already bought a new one 2moths ago after tonica... However there's a fauts here... The dominant E string is kinda bit crappy, sometimes it whek whek or squeak sometimes, yup dominant E is really weird and it seems obvious in the video, but no worries cuz i already replaced my Dominant E to Pirastro Gold E and it helps me a lot.
Conclusion:
For me i definitely recommend all of those three sets of strings regardless of that Strentor set... But if u don't know what to choose i think dominant will help u discover how your instrument react... Thats all!!!!!
For student violin I think its more suitable with stentor string since the sound more regular and dominant make the sound more upgrade. For alphayue not suitable for beginner violin its suitable for pro/advance violin sound since its more focusing the the warner violin sound. Beginner violin not warmer
thanks for this comparison!
GDA dominants with pirastro gold label e / jargar forte e / pirastro tonica e / goldbrokat e.
awesome 2 and 4 , absolutely , would like to know what bow did she use for the test
Great video
Dominant E string is the most famous worst string
🤪😂
beautiful
Thank u 👍
Tonicas for me but if the lacquer on that fiddle is as heavy as it looks I’m not your customer!🙏
Stentor strings sound surprisingly good.
ew now i understand why my stentor sounds good but raspy sometimes, its the original strings xd...
Dominants sound the best ,and they improved the e string.
Tonica sounds better because stentors benefit from the higher tension.
Dominant is bad string for student advanced, I say better using D'addario ascente than Tonica or Alphayue or Dominant.
Alps sounded best then stentor, dominant, tonics.
Secound play witch brand model
It was Thomastik alphayue
the violin is just a horror in the night
😂😆♥️
None of the strings save the Stentor II from its inherent raspiness and cluster of unpleasant overtones which are entirely lacking in warmth or depth. I have no idea why this fiddle is so popular. There are other inexpensive violins that sound much better and no amount of new strings will make the Stentor any better.
hi, which ones would you reccomend? i'm looking for a student violin myself
@@windmill-ze8rj. Hello. It’s a very interesting video. Dominants are pretty expensive really for a beginner and I’ve found Tonics half the price and debatably just as good. I’m tending to favour Ascenté by D’Addario, which have a nice sound and similarly priced to the Tonicas.
I have quite a few fiddles and mess around with bridges and sound posts to try to get the best sound so cost comes into this.
Don’t do what I did 50 years ago and buy a second hand fiddle that needs setting up, certainly if you want to learn to play !! I’ve heard some pretty good sounding Conservatours so if it’s within your budget get one. Good luck.