I have tried a few gimmics?!? to get strings and voice to even out. If you have not already tried them, Larsen 'a' is good, My viola is 18.5" in body so the string lengths are very important. Limited companies making very long gauged strings. Yes, I have on other violas found the 'tomastic ideal - stark' that has made its way to other manufacturers are helpful in a very recalcitrant instrument. Yours is not so recalcitrant.
@EggWroll ... I've run the gamete ... Four different Violas, and four or so different variations of string sets for this instrument... It depends entirely on your instrument. Stark Gage has greater tension, and for me, greater intonation stability... On this Instrument, the standard length of Thomastik is not long enough, and I have to find "Extra Long" "C" strings ... With the Pirastro, the standard size fits. The Evah Pirazzi's are very even across the strings. Obligatos are not as bright.
@ThoughtTravel One note about Tomastic, they do produce a 42cm sounding length string(all 4). However, only in a medium tension, which could cause a 'flubby' or slightly muffled tone. Agree otherwise. I wish Pirazzi or Larsen made strings in 42cm lengths. I would then revel in trying strings. BTW, how are the strings holding up>
Omigosh I've never heard such clear articulation on a viola as I did at the end of this video...!
LOTViolists 1 month ago
Who made your viola?
LOTViolists 1 month ago
I have tried a few gimmics?!? to get strings and voice to even out. If you have not already tried them, Larsen 'a' is good, My viola is 18.5" in body so the string lengths are very important. Limited companies making very long gauged strings. Yes, I have on other violas found the 'tomastic ideal - stark' that has made its way to other manufacturers are helpful in a very recalcitrant instrument. Yours is not so recalcitrant.
marcelbrandy 8 months ago
nice to begin, good overtones - bright enough. Don't really like the 'a', not enough sustain. Otherwise the axe sounds great!
marcelbrandy 8 months ago
@marcelbrandy ...Yes! Interesting you should mention: This "A" is the Synthetic core "A" ... and slowly brightens in a week or two. We'll see.
ThoughtTravel 8 months ago
So would you recommend these strings or Pirastro's Obligatos? :)
EggWroll 8 months ago
@EggWroll ... I've run the gamete ... Four different Violas, and four or so different variations of string sets for this instrument... It depends entirely on your instrument. Stark Gage has greater tension, and for me, greater intonation stability... On this Instrument, the standard length of Thomastik is not long enough, and I have to find "Extra Long" "C" strings ... With the Pirastro, the standard size fits. The Evah Pirazzi's are very even across the strings. Obligatos are not as bright.
ThoughtTravel 8 months ago
@ThoughtTravel One note about Tomastic, they do produce a 42cm sounding length string(all 4). However, only in a medium tension, which could cause a 'flubby' or slightly muffled tone. Agree otherwise. I wish Pirazzi or Larsen made strings in 42cm lengths. I would then revel in trying strings. BTW, how are the strings holding up>
marcelbrandy 8 months ago
@marcelbrandy Just uploaded an update. Seems YouTube audio processing is not uniform ... and also I adjusted the bridge.
ThoughtTravel 7 months ago