Optima Goldbrokat Premium E String

July 21, 2016 at 11:58 AM · I'd like to try it. I have a love/hate relationship with the standard Goldbrokat E: on one hand, it is brilliant, has decent quality and is very cheap. I read somewhere that Heifetz used them! On the other hand, it goes false far more quickly than any other E that I've ever tried. Yes, you can get 10 GB's for the price of one of some other brands - but I don't like changing strings often. I just find it a pain in the neck to do so. I've never had a rust issue, though.

July 22, 2016 at 10:31 AM · Hi Raphael,

I ended up buying three Optima e string just to try. Got the original Lenzner in 0.28 gauge (extra heavy), the new premium in brass and the 24k e (both in 0.26 gauge).

The 0.28 already started showing slight corrosion, so I put that one on first. It has a really bright and yet sweet sound. So I will leave it on for couple more days till I can't stand the corrosion look.

Will keep you posted. The next one would be the brass then the 24k. (In the order of pricing... Lol)

July 25, 2016 at 02:16 PM ·

Just a quick update.

Decided to put on the Goldbrokat Premium Brassed e string tonight.

First thought is, wow it has a really sweet tone to it. And somehow it opened up my D and G string, which is a bit of surprise. Both D and G sounded more open with more overtone, and the G seems to be deeper too. I'm not sure if it's the tension that's playing the trick.

I was playing with 3 e string tonight.

Originally, I have the 0.28 extra heavy Goldbrokat, where the extra tension made my G string sing.

Then I put on the PI platinum e (which I took out and stored as spare). Though I like the e sound but somehow the G string lost some of its focus and doesn't take as much bow pressure. It sounded a bit fuzzy if I bow hard.

So decided to try the premium Brassed Goldbrokat since the 0.28 Goldbrokat started showing corrosion and turn black in many spots.

The Brassed version has a really sweet tone even when first put on, but it is not as bright at higher registry vs the 0.28 Goldbrokat. Slightly sweeter than PI and slightly less bright vs PI. I really like the sound and what it's doing to the overall tone. Very rounded and balanced and blends extremely well with my dominant. Overall more mellow (I have a really bright and loud violin).

Though I have the 24k Goldbrokat e waiting, but I'm sure the Brassed version is staying on for a long while. Will give it couple more days or weeks and see how long it lasts.

August 10, 2016 at 05:31 PM · Anyone else try the brassed E? I have a 26 gauge on and I'm impressed. It's replacing a tin PI E string, which I also love. The PI feels more flexible and is sweeter, but the brassed brings out more from my G and also is stronger in very high positions. Not sure if it's too bright yet, but so far it's pretty great. A definite improvement over the regular Goldbrokat...

August 12, 2016 at 05:31 AM · The Brassed version, after playing for a while the coating will start seeing deterioration. However given its price, it's nevertheless much longer lasting than the original Goldbrokat. Definitely a plus.

I'm now trying the 24k version which is even sweeter sounding, but it ain't that bright as a result. A bit more mellow sounding for those who doesn't need a lot projection. Reminds me of olive gold e. Tone is clear at upper registry, but somehow feels a bit higher tension vs olive gold e on finger tip. So far I'm really enjoying it and it's longer lasting than the Brassed version. If you wipe the Brassed version hard, you can actually remove some coating.