How do Ambers and Obilagatos compare?

May 13, 2020, 11:07 PM · As you may have already seen other post by me I recently purchased a new violin and am on a string hunt without having to buy a lot of the strings first. I've only ever used EP's in the past on my old instrument so I haven't experimented much, however, these are much too shrill for my current one. I was wondering how the Obilagatos compare to the Warchal ambers. Which ones are warmer/softer? I know that obligates are dark but what about the ambers? Overall which ones produce a more subtle sound.

Replies (9)

Horace Kiang

May 14, 2020, 2:52 AM · Obligato is very expensive to be used on a regular basis. You may try Amber first and stay if you found that sound pleasing

Andrew Victor

May 14, 2020, 7:31 AM · I have not used Pirastro Obligatos for years. I have started to use Warchal Ambers and Timbres in the past year.

On the same violin I found Obligatos to be "warmer" sounding, but Ambers to be more responsive, more sensitive to bowing subtleties and deliver more overtone sound.

Parker Duchemin

May 14, 2020, 9:43 AM · It will depend on your violin, but I tend to agree with Andrew. They are both good strings. I think Obligatos are bolder sounding, under the ear, but they don't last as long. Ambers are softer and subtler, and have proved to be a much better match for my main violin, which projects strongly whatever string I use. I never liked the sound of EP very much --- too bright and I thought lacking in complexity. They also seemed to me to have a shorter life-span than Obligatos. The Ambers respond more like Eudoxas, which were once my standard.

Lydia Leong

May 14, 2020, 5:01 PM · Warchal's strings are terrific value for the money, and quite long-lasting.

Rich Maxham

May 14, 2020, 8:32 PM · Obligatos are the warmer of the two. Amber wouldn’t be a bad choice as a switch from Evahs, though. It really comes down to your preference and your intended use.

Anish Carmyn

Edited: May 15, 2020, 11:44 AM · My early c20th German trade violin loves both. I find the obligato darker and the sound seems to carry further while the ambers are sweeter, more delicate, and easier to play. They have more clarity under my ear, but I'm not sure how that carries to a listener.
She has a lovely voice with passiones - lots of gorgeous overtones - but they're even more expensive and don't last nearly as long. For comparison EPs sound terribly garish on her.

The amber e seems to work well with other string sets too, incl. obligatos,

Parker Duchemin

May 15, 2020, 2:36 PM · Garish. That's exactly how the EP struck me on my violins. And EP gold was even worse.

David Duarte

Edited: May 15, 2020, 3:58 PM · Obligatos aren't very expensive, they cost almost the same and will last longer.
At least at Thomann I see only a 9€ difference between the sets.