Pirastro Violino
I've scoured the archives for Violino info and it's mentioned here and there in various threads. I'm looking for any further input on these strings.
I have a Yang Wei violin, tending towards the bright side. The last two sets of strings I had on it were Daddario Zyex (new formulation) and ProArte. Both of which seemed fine on there, with me leaning towards the ProArtes, as they seem to be a bit mellower, warmer and smoother.
From what I've gleaned, the Violinos sound like they fit a similar description: mellow and low tension.
I'm a beginner, so projection in a concert hall is not anywhere on my priority list. I'm looking for a nice rich sound with easy bow response.
The ProArtes have been great for me so far. No complaints there. I'd be happy to simply stick with them as the string of choice as they sound nice in my violin and you can get a new set of PAs on EBay for under $20.
But one must always try new strings mustn't they?
Replies (21)
Thanks. Yes, and Corelli Crystals are also on my radar screen to try (also inexpensive).
But it is the Violinos I'm interested in hearing about, they seem to offer a unique sound from some of what I have read. Or maybe not? Maybe they are simply similar dark/mellow strings like Aricores, ProArtes, Crystals?
Anybody out there able to tell me their experiences with Violinos?
i believe aricore are more expensive than violino. violino have the same price as dominants. i loved the A and the E is the same as the Gold E. definitely worth a try. amber took their placed after 2 months, but more so because of my impatience.
Violinos are kind of like less complex-sounding Obligatos. They smooth out the sound but also are much more difficult to get nuance from. If you're a beginner who tends to have a harsh sound, you might find the Violinos to be more pleasing.
I agree with Lydia. They tend to go even more mellow as they age. They can smooth out the edges on some student violins.
Pirastro originally presented them as "economy" class strings and of lower tension from Obligato, which are in turn less tense than Evah Pirazzi. The problem is that, except for difference in tension, they are also completely different in nature.
On my new violin they sounded somewhat hollow and empty.... not inspiring at all.
Have you ever tried Tonica or Dominant strings?
I had Tonicas on a different violin and loved them. They sounded a bit metallic on my current violin, so they're not an option.
Today, as an experiment I switched back to my Zyex. They sounded very nice. They seem to resonate more than the ProArtes.
I guess what my violin likes warm sounding strings not necessarily muted or needing to take the edge off.
Part of what is happening is probably also due to changing (hopefully improving) technique. Just recently I be been paying more attention to not pressing so hard on the strings with the bow as I had been. Last time I tried the Zyex that had a bit of creak or scratchyness. That apparent was due to technique more so than any character of the strings themselves.
Give Warchal Karneol a shot. Despite being very inexpensive, they have a warm, dark sound and feel great under the fingers.
Thanks Gene.
I tried the Karneols earlier in the summer. Sadly they did not agree with my violin at all. The G was extremely flabby and the other strings sounded quite sour on my instrument.
I'm intrigued by the Amber set, but there hasn't been a lot of feedback on those as if yet.
Hi Seraphim,
Another adult beginner here. After Dominants, Evah Pirazzis, Corelli Cantigas (which sounded bland and uninspiring on my instrument) I now have Warchal Ambers on my violin. I love them and am totally no more inclined to try anything else. My teacher also immediately remarked how beautiful these sound on my violin and wanted to know what they were. He never commented on the sound of my strings before.
This recording was done with Violino strings; the mic was around 6-12 inches from violin.
They are a excellent practice(easy on the ears)and mic string.
Thanks for that, Charles!
How do they last?
A common theme Ive read is that they go flat quite quickly. Although others say they last a long time. Any input from your personal experience?
Zina,
Any additional info on the Ambers? Any description you can give compared to the overs you have tried?
One concern I have about he Ambers is that I may like them and they are reasonably priced at the "trial" price, but the list price for the next set will be considerably higher.
Seraphim,
I am sorry, I do not have so many words yet for what I am experiencing. My violin seems to resonate more than with the other strings I have tried. I feel they 'sing' more than for instance the Dominants, but then again I hope I have improved somewhat in the last year and an half so it's difficult to compare. I do like the relatively soft feel on the fingers of my left hand.
You are right about the price: the trial price is half the normal price!
The A string, like other A strings, wears out(unwinds) after a few months. Other than replacing the A string you can easily get a year or more out of them. I find that once they set, there is little change in sound.
OK, so I got a set of Violinos yesterday and mounted them up.
My initial impression from a quick practice session this morning:
Very nice!
On my instrument they don't come across as particularly dark (the Pro Artes were darker on this violin). The Violinos seem to be neutral in tone, but very clear and resonant. They also are much smoother sounding than the Zyex set that had been on there (the Zyex sounded good, but a bit of grittyness if I wasnt on my game. ). Easy response and plenty of sustain. Volume is neither ear splitting nor subdued, like Goldilock's porridge they seem " just right".
I only mounted up the G D and A, as I had recently put on a Pirastro No 1 universal E, so I went with that. Seems like a nice match.
I'll post a follow up as things get settled in over time. So far I am very pleased with the purchase. I had been concerned about doling out $50 for a set of strings often described as "dull" and "lifeless". On my instrument they are far from that, quite the opposite actually.
As a comparrison, on my violin:
Zyex: powerful, warm, full sound, a bit of grittyness if I didn't get bow presure correct.
Pro-arte: Very pleasant, very warm and easy to play (and a fantastic value!!!). Resonant, but not quite a clear ringing sound on this violin.
Karneols: They didn't work at all for this violin (I did put them on another violin that they did work quite nicely on). On this violin they sounded sour and the G was almost unplayable due to extreme flabbyness.
Amethyst: very clear, pure sound. These sounded quite bright on this violin. I had them on for about three months before the A seemed to loose some steam (Suzuki book 1, so a lot of weat and tear on the A in particular...). Nice strings, but decided I wanted to try something not quite as bright.
Cantigas: neutral, nice sound, but they also seemed sensitive to excessive bow pressure to sqeak quite a bit (probably not an issue for more advanced players). Due to the creaking I gave them to my teacher.
I think that's been about it for what I've tried on this violin so far.
Fascinating how each violin responds quite differently to a particular set of strings.
And for the fashion conscious, here's what the windings look like:
Does anyone have a comment on the violino E string? Is it necessary to use a different one? Also has anyone found obligatos scratchy/harsh compared to violinos?
Thank you, Darrett, for the information on the violino E string. Very helpful. For my violin I think it's going to be violinos or obligatos.
There have been good reports on the Violino E. I didn't put it on. As I had just put on the new No 1 Universal ($9) last week.
i have been playing cantiga forte for a couple of month this autumn and i also found them more prone to squeaking than other strings i have used. i am currently trying out the Warchal amber set. they are more resonant than the cantigas but have a slight metallic edge that i do not like. i am hoping that it will go away once they settle. but at the current price i am probably going to go back to my oliv rigid G, passione solo D and A and goldbrokat E. I just dont think any of the synthetics have the same beautyful sound.
Why not try out the Violinos?
:^)
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November 10, 2013 at 02:30 PM · There is also Pirastro's Aricore, similar to Pro Arte, and I think noticably cheaper than Violino.
They last well.