Rondo G String Alternative

Edited: October 1, 2025, 11:39 AM · Is tension the problem? Perhaps try the Dominant Stark or one of the higher gauges of Passione?

Or visit your luthier to see if some adjustment might be needed. If the bridge is skewed or misaligned by even a fraction of a millimeter, you can get funny problems.

October 1, 2025, 2:15 PM · I'd try a heavier gauge e string.

October 1, 2025, 3:04 PM · It sounds more like a E-string problem than G-string, as the tension of the E-string has a big impact on the playability of the G-string in higher positions. What E are you using? And what E did you use with the Evahs?

Edited: October 1, 2025, 3:07 PM · @David "...the tension of the E-string has a big impact on the playability of the G-string in higher positions..."

Would you expand on this, please? Or has Christian said it all?

October 1, 2025, 3:08 PM · The E-string is over the soundpost, that's why different E-strings affect the tone and response of the entire violin, especially up the G-string.

October 1, 2025, 3:57 PM · That's very interesting. Can anyone suggest three or four plain-steel (not wound) E strings that would provide a tension range to explore this parameter empirically?

October 1, 2025, 4:22 PM · It's nearly counter-intuitive, as the E string holds the bridge against the sound post, leaving the bass end to vibrate freely under the influence of the G string, but, yes, I can picture added tension over the bridge restricting this. But are you saying more E-string tension gives better G string sound or worse?

Edited: October 1, 2025, 4:53 PM · Goldbrokat has a whole range of gauges, including 2 above the normal medium (26, I believe). The regular range sounds good, and is very inexpensive.

To a large degree, strings do work in pairs. The bridge rocks back and forth from side to side-- the E string directly controls one side of that but will have indirect effects on the other end of the bridge.

October 1, 2025, 5:09 PM · Interesting to learn about why the e affects other string tone. I've heard this advice, but never understood the nuts and bolts of it, so part of me discounted it. But, explained here makes perfect sense.

David: the E I'm using is a pirastro gold label...my usual, although I'm not getting exactly the richness I'm used to.

Stephen: what I immediately noticed was the feel of depressing the G felt too giving to my fingers...and when bowing it felt like the string wasn't resisting the bow enough...if that makes any sense. I think the bridge is ok as I checked what I could on it and things seemed OK with the Evahs.

I should note that this is a newly acquired violin...so the evah stringing was how I received it.

Edited: October 1, 2025, 5:25 PM · Andrew, usually yes, more tension on the E-string usually makes the G string respond better in the upper registers. But it can depend on the violin, if the soundpost is tight or more at ease, the violin may like less or more tension, and other factors beyond my knowledge.
More tension on the E-string usually makes the other three strings sound darker, less tension makes them brighter with more overtones.

This is one of the main reasons why some people say things like "Evah Pirazzi green have a warm sound on my violin". It's because they're not using the E-string of the set, which has a relatively low tension of 7.8kg, compared to all the famous gauge 0.27, Goldbrokat, Jargar Forte and so on.
Best you can do is try different tensions of E-strings, wait for a while and see how the violin responds.

Janet, The Gold Label is 7.7 kg, which is relatively low. Try the Evah Pirazzi Gold E (from the Evah Pirazzi Gold set), which is 8.0kg and see if it helps. The E of the Rondos is 8.2 kg, maybe it can be perfect for your violin.

October 1, 2025, 5:25 PM · Is there a reason you're using the Gold Label E string with the Rondos? The Gold Label E string has a tension of 7.7 kg (16.98 lbs) while the Rondo E string has a tension of 8.2 kg (18.1 lbs). I agree with everyone else that you should try a heavier gauge E string. Honestly the Rondo E if it works with your violin pairs well with the rest of the Rondos already, but you can also try the PI Tin plated E string that's 8.3 kg (18.3 lbs) or a Jargar Forte E which is also 8.3 kg. Goldbrokat is also very popular, but if you're looking for heavier than the Gold Label I would go with at least the 27 gauge at 8.0 kg (17.6 lbs).