How different strings affect violin qualities

Abstract

The brand and model of strings used on violins are considered to play a significant role in their playability and sound quality. An experiment was designed to test the perceptual quality of different violin strings. A professional violinist selected two violins, from a set of the same make/model, that had similar sound and playing qualities. Three different types of strings were chosen for this study: Dominant, Kaplan and Pro-Arte strings. Professional and advanced student violinists were invited to play and evaluate the violins. Two violins were both strung with Dominant strings initially (session labelled D1-D2). Subjects rated the difference between the two violins (violin 2 compared to violin 1) according to eight criteria. Then the strings of violin 2 were changed to a different type. Subjects rated the difference between the two violins again. In Oberlin, subjects compared Dominant and Kaplan strings in two sessions (called respectively D1-D2 and D1-K2). In Montreal, subjects compared Dominant, Kaplan and Pro-Arte strings in three trials (D1-D2, D1-K2 and D1-P2). Results showed no significant differences between the experiment conditions in either place except that the brightness difference ratings in D1-D2 were found to be significantly higher than in D1-P2 based on the Montreal results.