Choosing The Best Violin Strings
Six different sets of strings to get the best sound from your violin…
After listening in great detail to players over the years at Ruschil London during Soundpost Adjustment Sessions, I thought I would share my thoughts on some of the best violin strings on the market out there for your violin. This is based on countless hours of listening and also the comments of players themselves about the strings.
Every player and instrument that comes in through the door is different; an endlessly nuanced, rich and fascinating experience, exploring the possibilities of tone for the individual. These six different sets of strings have been chosen purely based on tone, the final result, and what one can achieve if you put these strings on your violin. There are many other ways to improve the tone of a violin but I hope this helps choose the best strings for you.
Listening to the player carefully, asking what they’d like to achieve, these are sets that I often recommend to get the desired results. I have not chosen these strings for value, purely performance. I also have no affiliation with any of the companies and so am completely unbiased as to choice, this is just about sound. There are many other sets with different subtleties too, if you would like to come in and talk about them, you’re most welcome to book an appointment:
1: Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Gold
For a confident and well balanced tone, with richness underneath, I would recommend Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Gold strings. Very much an all round string with strength and character, they are an excellent choice with a professional edge. A little more interesting than the standard Evah Pirazzis, they have substance and warmth, whilst also being able to hit the back of a concert hall.
USE WHEN: You want to add power and warmth to your violin.
PRO: Play in very quickly, giving your violin a rich, strong sound.
CON: Do not last as long as some other strings.
2: Thomastik Peter Infeld
To give a confident, balanced and classy edge to your violin, Thomastik Infeld’s Peter Infeld (Pi) strings are an excellent choice. With a silvery clarity and presence, these strings will shine, making you heard whilst adding a touch of elegance to your violin. Even, clear and powerful, with a slightly vintage Thomastik core to them, they glide through performances superbly.
USE WHEN: You want to add a silvery, classy, confident tone to your violin.
PRO: Exceptionally elegant and professional.
CON: Not the broadest spectrum of tone, very good at one type of sound.
3: Pirastro Obligato
For a warm, smooth and sophisticated tone, I always recommend Pirastro Obligato violin strings. Full, sweet, balanced and lower tension whilst being professional, they are the string of choice for a player who prefers a more intimate sound, blending seamlessly and effortlessly with each other. Excellent for use with violins that are very bright and thin sounding, they will make your instrument much fuller sounding.
USE WHEN: You want to sweeten, calm down and round the sound of your violin.
PRO: Produce a very rich, dark and smooth sound.
CON: Will not carry to the back of a concert hall with clarity as easily.
4: Thomastik Dynamo
Highly impressive, loud and clear. Thomastik Dynamo are the string to choose when you want to impress with confident, powerful playing. Producing a thunderous, explosive sound, they will be heard in any size hall. Quick to react with a strong core, they have a very soloistic edge, whilst being balanced.
USE WHEN: You want to add power & confidence to your solo performances.
PRO: Can boost the volume and clarity of your violin greatly.
CON: Can lack the subtlety, warmth and richness of other strings.
5: Thomastik Dominant
An all-time classic string for the violin. Balanced, clear, simple and let the violin do the talking. Probably the most neutral violin strings of all time, offering the player an accessible, elegant, vintage tone. Some of the greatest violins in the world have Thomastik Dominant strings on them, letting the instrument speak for itself with a woody, clear tone.
USE WHEN: You want a simple, balanced, elegant tone.
PRO: Pure and simple, the classic violin strings.
CON: Can lack the great depths, heights and richness of other strings.
6: Larsen Il Cannone Soloist
A fantastic option if you would like to add a lot more brightness, confidence and clarity to your instrument, Larsen Il Cannone Soloist are superb at adding volume in the treble range, with high confidence and sonority. Light, with a strong core and a searing E string, they will carry your violin to the highest places when you want to be heard. Incredibly clear, fresh and direct.
USE WHEN: You want to add a bright, searing clarity for soloistic playing.
PRO: Confident, focused and have excellent articulation up high.
CON: Can lack the thickness, richness and warmth of other strings.
EXTRA: The Connoisseur’s Choice…
I am a huge fan of both of these sets of strings: Pirastro Eudoxa & Thomastik Vision Solo, which I see on great instruments sometimes and can work beautifully in the right hands. Both interesting, with a lot to explore tonally.
Eudoxas offer a whole world of complexity and interest; classic, subtle and beautiful on the right instrument if you’re willing to explore.
Vision Solos are a stunning set of strings that combine simplicity and elegance whilst maintaining professionalism and curiosity.
E String Recommendations:
I normally recommend sticking to one set of strings to start with, but switching the E string is very common and can yield great results. A specific E string can be great if someone loves their set for the G, D & A and wants to add a touch of something different for the highest register. Players from all over the world have come into the workshop recommending different E strings and I’ve loved hearing the results of all.
1: Optima Goldbrokat E strings are absolutely stunning. If I had to recommend one E string from any set in the world, it would be this one. An all-round superstar; clear, sweet, bright, balanced, professional, it has it all.
2: Warchal Amber E strings are superb, adding a very powerful, sweet sound to any violin. A real, searing, honey like string with excellent performance. One for the soloists who want to be heard, whilst having quality.
3: Westminster E strings have an incredible to quality to them. Similar to the Goldbrokat they have a strong, golden tone. Incredibly balanced and a beautiful mix of sweetness and brightness.
4: W.E. Hill & Sons, The “Hill” is an excellent choice for a balanced E string with a touch of elegance. Clear, beautiful and sophisticated, it is a fine choice for any discerning player.
Violin, “The Argyle, 2024” with Larsen Cannone Soloist G, D & A strings, with a Warchal Amber E
