Whistling E strings

 

A whistling E string can be caused by a variety of things. About 25% of  whistling E`s are due to technique. The side of the 1st finger can overhang the fingerboard and touch the string, or the player might be "grabbing" at the string when passing from the A string to the E and back. The angle of the bow mixed with incorrect bow pressure can also be a contributary factor.

 

Most of the time however, a whistling E string is caused by a faulty set up. The string may be too low in the nut so that, as it vibrates, it hits the top of the fingerboard. The fingerboard may have holes in it caused by wear or there may be an accumulation of dirt and rosin on it. There may also be a problem with the bridge or, as happens quite often, the sound post may not quite fit properly. On a violin that has not been serviced for some time, it may be a combination of things that creates the problem.

 

It may also be that the strings themselves are incompatible. The capricious Olive E string does not always suit Dominants for example, or the strings may be old and tired and no longer playing true.

 

We have also found that a bow might be incompatible with certain strings or even that a change of rosin can cause squeaking.

 

In the shop, we follow a certain procedure:

 

  1. Does someone else using the same equipment have the same problem?
  2. Does the player have the same problem with a different bow on the same violin?
  3. Does the player have the same problem with the same bow on a different one?

 

If the whistle occurs on several violins with different bows, it is the player. If on different violins with the same bow, it may be the bow or the player.

If the problem occurs on the same violin with different bows, it may be the set up. Usually it takes up to 15 minutes to asses the problem; sometimes it can be identified even quicker.

 

On one occaision we spent hours trying to sort out a problem that was eventually traced to a block of Pirastro Eudoxa rosin bought the week before by someone using Dominant strings. With the rosin removed and replaced with the customers original brand, the problem was solved.

 

There is now a string called a non-whistling e made by Kaplan. We have tested it with several good players who reported that, although it didn`t whistle, it did nothing for the sound quality of their instruments. Having said that we also have customers who like the sound. It all depends. A number of customers who have complained of this problem have found it altered just by buying a new sting. We have found that the Pirastro Wondertone Advanced is a particularly good E string for this purpose, and it sings well and is warm and smooth