Jean Luc Ponty on his gear

I found this video of an interview with the Jazz and New Age violinist Jean Luc Ponty. He talks about his violins, pickups, preamps and effects.

Be aware that the video is made by D'Addario strings, so of course he also talks positively about their strings.

Strings for a five string violin

The problems when choosing strings for a five string violin is to get good balance from string to string and to get the same kind of response all over the instrument.

There are special five string fiddle sets: D'Addario Helicore, Super-Sensitive Sensicore, Pinnacle, Red Label, Old Fiddler and Thomastik Infeld Vision all come in a sets with a violin length C-string.

K C five string

My five string fiddle was made for me by Michael Richwine from KC Strings in 2009.

It is a real beast with a big body and high ribs.

I have had a Bradivarius viola pickup fitted to it.




Here is a sound sample