A clear purpose

VIOLIN STRINGS

FEATURED PRODUCT

Before French string manufacturer Corelli designed their new set of violin strings, they asked a group of players what they didn’t feel was already available on the market. ‘ey wanted a sound that was clear and focused but without a metallic edge,’ says Bernard Maillot, president of Savarez, which owns the Corelli brand. ‘Added to that was a desire for better playability and faster response, which is exactly what the Solea strings offer.’ Although he won’t be drawn on exactly what they are, Maillot credits ‘two brand new materials’ with Corelli’s ability to cater to these requirements. ‘e strings are completely different from anything we’ve made before,’ he adds.

The Solea set consists of a carbon steel E string, and metalwound A, D and G strings with multi-.lament synthetic cores. ‘e high carbon content of the E string is what gives it brilliance without running the risk of sounding aggressive,’ Maillot explains, but he appears most excited about the construction of the rest of the set. ‘e high density and elasticity of their cores are characteristics of the innovative polymer we’ve used, and are what bring both richness and brightness to the sound. For the winding, we had to develop the manufacturing technology we used as the new alloys require even greater precision.’

The players Corelli surveyed wanted a sound that was richer in harmonic overtones, as well as clarity of tone and ease of sound production. ‘e strings have been engineered to over overtone spectrums that are resonant and balanced - and don’t come at the expense of focus,’ says Maillot. Another priority was harmonics that sound quickly and reliably under the bow. ‘ey speak better and with an improved tone when played on these strings compared to others on the market. Whatever you’re playing, the Solea strings have been engineered to help players produce a clear, nuanced tone right across the instrument.’

Corelli Solea violin strings set €90 emai I info(g)savarez. com web www.savarez.com

CORNER THE MARKET

ENGINEER’S SQUARE

Two new small engineer’s squares from German tool manufacturer Schilbach over makers a choice of two sizes, 60 x 40 x 12mm and 45 x 30 x 9mm. ey have stainless steel blades and brass stocks which have been secured on both sides to prevent loss of precision.

Schilbach engineer’s squares €38.66 (60mm), €36.98 (45mm) email shop@schilbach.net web www.shop-schilbach.net

INSTRUMENT SIZE GAUGE

MADE TO MEASURE

This handy, flexible plastic gauge from Triton allows makers and dealers to check the size of a violin or viola quickly. It is suitable for violins from 1/32 to full size, and for violas in increments of one inch from 12 to 14 inches, and increments of half an inch from 14 to 17 inches. For violins, equivalent Suzuki sizes 1/16 and 1/10 are shown, too.

Triton instrument size gauge from $18.50 emai I sales(Sinternationalviolin.com web www.internationalviolin.com