Getting a good sound from a 5 string violin
A while back I bought a violin with five strings, i.e. there in an extra low C on it. However, as the body of the violin is the same size as that of a normal violin, so whenever I play on the C-string with even moderate force, the note goes sour. If I play with low force, however, the note stays clean. I assume this is because the tension on the string is too low due to the shorter body of the instrument.
Spontaneously, I would guess using a thicker string would give the string the necessary tension to maintain the tone. So my question is, could this be a solution? If not, is there another way I could go about it?
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Please tell me you didn't end up repurposing the instrument! I'm sad nobody on the thread previously mentioned buying a true violin C string. They do exist. I own a wonderful 5 string violin and have a Thomastik vision violin C. Not the cheapest, but sounds gorgeous! Daddario also makes Helicore violin C strings, which are used widely and less expensive. You can also buy short scale (13-14") viola strings that should work well. Please tell me you didn't give up on your instrument!
The string length of a viola is not all that much more than that of a violin (if it were "in scale", it would need to be 50% more than that of a violin). Naturally, you don't want a rededicated G string, but with a "proper" C string, there will not be all that much of a string thickness variation to work with.
The main problem is that a violin body is just too small for giving the C string a nice acoustic support. Nice-sounding violas tend to be at the bulkier end of the viola range.
You can probably let a luthier look over your instrument to make sure it is set up properly, with closed fittings, well-attached bass beam, properly fitted sound post and bridge. Any problems there will affect the way stuff gets picked off and transmitted.
There are C strings and there are C strings. I have set up small violins to be "violas" for children who were starting Suzuki viola at a very young age. Most C strings sounded the way you describe, but I was able to minimize this effect with a particular choice of string. It's been a while, so I'm not sure -- maybe it was a Dominant.
Also make sure you are using a string that is sold for a smaller instrument.
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