Michael Explains it all - Larsen Tzigane Strings for Violin

It's time to hear the Larsen Tzigane strings for violin! But we're diving deep and comparing them to the Originals, Warhcal Amber, Pirastro Obligato and Oliv strings as well.
Because this might be the longest video we've made (so far!) here is the table of contents:
0:00 Tzigane on Tziganes
0:38 The short version
1:42 Demonstration with scales
2:25 Tchaikovsky
3:09 Grading Graph
6:56 DOES EVERY GYPSY SONG START SUL G?!?!?!
8:55 The Great String Showdown with Frequency Analysis Visualization
12:21 Bonus Comparison on Prilipco violin against Dominants
13:48 Materials and Tensions
Instruments I used in this video:
Fiddlerman Artist Violin:
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Holstein 2-Star Pernambuco Bow
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Valerio Prilipco 2020 Violin:
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About Fiddlershop:
We're a family run business in south Florida that specializes in providing beautiful string instruments at truly affordable prices.
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High Quality Beginner Violins:
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[@Kydilee]

This is so incredibly valuable, especially the comparison montage, thank you!

[@Fiddlershop]

Glad it was helpful!

[@shkedov.b]

the best series in town!
thank you!
and beautiful intro btw

[@Fiddlershop]

Glad you like it!

[@1cerana1]

Again, such a helpful video, I love the comparison at the end!

[@Fiddlershop]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching :)

[@dvides89]

Such a helpful video!! Would really appreciate a video on the Virtuoso series!! Especially since I know OG is such a fan of PIs!!

[@shkedov.b]

"Join us, come to the dark side"
- Larsen Tzigane

[@EudoraPrice]

Love this Video!!!💖💖
My kind of Music

[@Fiddlershop]

Happy to hear, Eudora! :)

[@dorteheidecker7074]

You are just wonderful!

[@Fiddlershop]

Thank you!

[@timgehrsitz3267]

Dude thanks so much for this review. I wish the mic was a little closer so you could hear that deep sound, but in person these reach LOW. Thanks again, I haven't bought my own strings ever since my teacher just recommended them back in the day and now 4 years out from having lessons I'm finally getting back into playing. If you like sounding like a viola on the D and G strings, get these suckers!!!

[@Fiddlershop]

Wow, thanks for your input and for your kind words, Tim! We really appreciate it. Happy to hear that you finally are getting back into playing 🎻

[@burkoy]

Absolutely love all your videos, Michael! Can you please do a review of the new Roby Lakatos set from Thomastik? I actually bought them already, but my old Evah set is still sounding ok, can't decide whether to put them on or wait a little... :D

[@Fiddlershop]

I will try! I am curious about these as well-I've never played them, and would be fun to try them out.

[@FiddleCat999]

I have been chasing "the sound" for 20 yrs with a rather bright Guo hui Liang. I have a boxful of shoulder and chinrests, and strings and more strings! I was pleased with the Tziganes esp with no chinrest. At first I found the Virtuosos a bit too much, until I replaced the chinrest! The current alchemy seems to be Larsen Virtuoso (strong) D & G, Tzigane med A and Tzigane stark E. The ONLY E that doesn't whistle on my instrument! It is warm, responsive and altogether lovely. Paired with a small flat chinrest, Augustin Diamond shoulder rest and a harp tailpiece I am getting so much more from my violin. I find your reviews helpful and interesting and would like to see one on the Virtuosos.

[@Fiddlershop]

Wow, I'm glad found a great combination. Thanks so much! I'll try to get to the Virtuosos soon 😃

[@vanessaebony529]

I love your videos! Next can you compare Larsen Cannone and Virtuoso while playing Czardas

[@Fiddlershop]

Great suggestion!

[@richardjehl1455]

I personally have played both in concerts and they have each one pros and cons. In my instrument which is a 1850 Bernardel, I prefer them both to the Evah Pirazzi, even if Evah are very responsive. My instrument prefers lighter tensions than Evah's. I liked the Virtuoso very much, warmer and darker sound comparred to Evah, but they are less responsive. I also played Larsen classic, and I prefer the Virtuoso. I liked Il Cannone regular strings even more, they are the best sounding strings I ever tried among synthetic core, but D and A sometimes fail to support pressure in an unexpected way on my violin, which annoys me and make me search for even better strings and safer ones in concerts.

[@michaelblaney4461]

Good string for calling Fronkensteen's monster back to the castle.

[@Fiddlershop]

🤣🤣🤣

[@shkedov.b]

3:09 yay! the tone graph is back!

[@Fiddlershop]

Thanks for watching!!

[@kylesummer4902]

amazing video! one quick question, which one would you recommend if I need some of the lowest projection strings? I tried your Violino and Corelli strings. Wondering if there is anything that can beat them? My violin sound is way too loud and harsh. It's blowing my head off :(

[@LordCarmesimXXVII]

You could also talk about and compare tensions. (within mediums, they're all different).

[@Fiddlershop]

For sure! There's just still so many strings to cover. Hopefully someday.

[@LordCarmesimXXVII]

@@Fiddlershop On each video itself, comparing only to a couple of similar sounding strings.

[@JC-td6ot]

I used to use tziganes on my 18th century german violin, it wasn't the loudest compared to peter infelds; the tzigane's low tension also makes it easier for wolf notes to happen further up the g string - unlike the peter infelds.

[@Fiddlershop]

Thanks JC 😃

[@dannyboy2267]

I'm sorry, but what does "wolf notes" mean?

[@richardjehl1455]

@@dannyboy2267 wolf notes happen when string does not vibrate correctly, they are missed tone. Somebody would have better description and definition but english is not my native langage ;-)

[@reginaparham6388]

Hot buttered rum, smooth and warm with a kick. 🙃

[@Fiddlershop]

😍😍😍

[@janewoodside960]

I am currently using a 7/8 violin strung with Kaplan Amo (known to be a high tension string) and am “doubling down on darkness” as you’ve said elsewhere. I am thinking about trying the Tziganes because I’ve loved them on a brighter instrument but am confused about navigating tension differences if I put a 4/4 string on a 7/8 -or maybe I should use a 3/4 string in the 7/8s -any suggestions on what to choose to take advantage of Tzaiganes warmth without unnecessarily losing clarity?

[@Fiddlershop]

Yes! Double down :-) But good question. Mathmatically 7/8th is exactly in between Full Size and 3/4, but many string sets aren't made in 3/4 size, so there's more options to choose from if you go with full size. If you find that the full size medium strings are a little too squishy on a 7/8th, then maybe a heavy/strong tension string would be a good thing to try.

[@concertmasterntl]

The Olivs sounded best at the end, but I don’t actually enjoy using them, and gut has so many problems.

[@ThomasTVP]

Never had the Larsen Tzigane before, but a friend (a retired professional musician) recommended them to me, so I'll try them out on a couple of our instruments tomorrow. As by you're test, I don't find them convincing (not enough colour and projection), but neither does that final Italian fiddle, with either strings.

[@rachelcreamy261]

Oliv is superb..

[@user-rp5vr5vc6o]

I really want to try out some strings that are said to be close to gut strings. Do you have any opinions on how Larsen Tzigane strings sound compared to Warchal Amber strings?

[@Fiddlershop]

Thanks for watching! Please reach out to our customer service team for assistance with your string inquiry: [e-mail]

[@dvides89]

7:08 what a beautiful interpretation

[@Fiddlershop]

Indeed, I love that piece!

[@jw_bird]

Kerson Leong is the real deal

[@DivaDeb1234]

What strings are the loudest and brightest?

[@mozart_9172]

Evah Pirazzi

[@sonnydaze6071]

Do you anything about a violin maker who’s name is John A Larson. I’ve been researching info and came across a little info. I have two of his hand made instruments that date back to 1943 and 1946 with signatures on the inside that are dated. Feel free to reach back out to me with any help. Thanks in advance.

[@Fiddlershop]

Let us try to find out. Do you know if it's an American violin maker, or perhaps Swedish?

[@sonnydaze6071]

@@Fiddlershop the violins have a label on the inside with John A Larson 1946 Seattle , and one is the same with the exception of 1943 Seattle

[@ihsanihsan859]

Please come on review string violin thomastik spirit please

[@Fiddlershop]

I'll put them on the list!

[@rachelcreamy261]

Tzigane is more textured than dominants

[@megabugginout]

Was I hearing the Barber concerto in there?

[@Fiddlershop]

haha, yes, around 4:28 or so, that's definitely some Barber noodling

[@megabugginout]

@@Fiddlershop Do you perform? Your tone and phrasing is so effortless!! Also, are the Olivs really a tuning nightmare for violin? I am in the NYC area.

[@LordCarmesimXXVII]

Obligato wins on the darker sound for me.

[@vio3667]

Why i dk but i love obligato against all others

[@Fiddlershop]

They are great strings!

[@missbeans]

A cozy blanket, not a smothering pillow 🤣

[@Fiddlershop]

Thanks for watching!

[@concertmasterntl]

Why is the introduction and tarantella in the wrong key??!! 😫😭

[@nathanpentury5201]

Maxim vengerov

[@Fiddlershop]

(It's not the opening phrase...it's the 2nd phrase that is sul G). I cheated here for comedic value.

[@jeffreyalcaraz2405]

You probably won’t see this but when you take a video and repost it sometimes the key goes up or down slightly. If you go to the original video it sounds different

[@mitka_akkoyun]

Peter is the best

[@Fiddlershop]

We hear you!!

[@mitka_akkoyun]

@@Fiddlershop 😁😁🙅

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

1st impression; like you know, like, LIKE its really necessary I try two bee phunny. Sew then eye listen, you're qualified, I am not, im just a critical viewer who has collected. (Then) you introduce your 'tone wheel graph' which gives this production real visual credentials to which your verbal commentary really beautifully just brings this review video to a pinnacle, many fail? Therefore, I recant my initial criticism re humor, & apologize.

[@Spacefiddler]

let me tell you It's all about the mic that you used to capture and less about the strings, that's the problem with TH-cam. Besides, your final audio is compressed to absolute shit

[@Fiddlershop]

Thanks for watching.....

[@musica201196]

amazing job, but i think this violin is bad! It's hard to judge strings with a really bad violin

[@popcorn7757]

true :) junk from the factory