Oh please do, what exactly do you mean?
What exactly are we talking about here? The mellotron in the intro, right? Or the real violin/ cello-parts. Are they too harsh for your taste by the way? I wasn't too fond of the results from my best available mic, NT1a
I didnt have a problem with the string sound, I thought the players did a nice job too. the voicing:
Basically, you have 2 violins and a cello if I recall. the 2 violins should basically be moving as one unit. They dont.
Its distracting to the listener and doesnt make a whole lot of sense, it sounds more like "jamming" than a well thought-out string accomp.
Think of the violins as vocals: with vocals, one part has the lead and the other harmonizes. Its the same with violins. In your song, what they are doing is contrary to one another, its as if they are playing two different songs. Its too "busy" for the music. What you really have is a low budget orchestra.
Its not 3 people, its one unit with three parts that should/could move as one. I assume they are improvising, when what would really work is a game plan WRITTEN down that would force them to move together at the same time. The part after the vocals where the strings play alone: one violin is two octaves below the other.
I noticed that immediately. String writing is very organized and very utilitarian, it all moves together.
As for the mellotron, it simply sounds distorted. As you said, you wanted that sound so if you want it, you want it. However, to the listener like me it sounds more like a bad recording job than anything else, it sounds like a "mistake".
There. I hope you realize that I do like the song since I spent so much time with it, take that as a big compliment.