Synthetic String Longevity

November 24, 2025, 1:12 AM · I've found that each of my violins tend to like a different string; one does very well on Dominant Pros, and another sounds best with Warchal Amber by far. My third one has Evah Green but I'm not certain that's the best yet, I may try Lassen Il Cannone next time. The Dominant Pros seem to be the longest lasting but not by a lot.

November 24, 2025, 4:17 AM · As the OP says, they vary. Thomastik covers a fairly large range, but, as it happens, their Vision range seems best to me.

November 24, 2025, 7:12 AM · For longest lifespan (the question— not favorites), Rondos do seem to work well, as do Dominants. Back to preference, I like the original Dominant better than the souped-up sequels.

November 24, 2025, 9:12 AM · Pirastro Tonicas : I live in the tropics and strings get a hard time here but Tonicas last for ages. Dominants (which I used to buy) did not last very long.

Yes, I know they are not used by professionals but I thought I would mention them.

November 24, 2025, 9:27 AM · Aaron Rosand sometimes used Tonicas, I think. Although he probably preferred Passiones for the sound.

Edited: November 24, 2025, 9:54 AM · I’ll admit to not really understanding the Vision lineup. Are the different sets all based on the same core?

Concerning Tonicas, I’ve used them before but didn’t use them long enough to determine their useful lifespan.

November 24, 2025, 11:22 AM · Thomastik’s strings have the longest lifespan of the brands I’ve seen. Rondos are by far the longest-living set I’ve seen. Dominants are close, especially if you use a silver D and make sure the string grooves are smooth.

On the other end of the spectrum is Evah Pirazzi. So many of my customers have said the same thing to me over and over: they die after about two weeks of regular use. The A strings are notorious for going bad if you look at them the wrong way.

I’ve found Tonica to be in the middle—pretty good life if kept well, although not necessarily as long as Dominants.

November 24, 2025, 1:51 PM · Any comments on Larsen, Warchal, and D’Addario?

Edited: November 24, 2025, 3:39 PM · Mind you, this my opinion and strings are very personal, but for me I feel Vision Titanium solos last and maintain their sound the longest. I do love Rondos, but they don't seem to last as long.
That said, I have a set to install as a holiday treat to myself. I tried Evah gold, glorious sounding, but after a month they started to degrade.

Personally I really don't care for Kaplan Amos.

November 24, 2025, 4:23 PM · Rondos last the longest for me by far, Dominant and PI are a close second. I base longevity on how long a string keeps its metallic component these days, and Rondo keeps it the longest, followed by Dominant and then PI. PI has a bit of that new string sound, but it goes away after a few days of playing. The Dominants keep it for a few weeks, and then Rondos at least a month or more, depending on how much playing I'm doing. The longest period I've kept rondos on my violin was 6 months, and for the viola version it was 9 months. Once that metallic component wears off, each string declines very gradually, but Rondos take the most amount of time in my experience.

Edited: November 24, 2025, 4:44 PM · I'm anxious to try the Rondos on this current violin, a
2021 Andrea Varazzani.

Edited: November 24, 2025, 6:28 PM · It’s entirely possible that I will go back to Rondos since they are a proven formula on my instrument. The Dominant Pros are a little more sandy/sibilant under the ear, but they only cost $70 when I ordered them.

The Warchal Karneols (inexpensive enough to replace every 3 months) I tested were lovely and balanced, but they took a lot more work to produce a sound; hence, I’m back to the DPs. There have been favorable reports here on Warchal’s Brilliant and Amber sets, but I don’t know how the longevity is for those either.

Jeff, was it just the texture or also the sound of the Amos that you didn’t like? They’re around $50 on sale.

November 24, 2025, 7:06 PM · @Ben - I've used Warchal Amber and love them! They also lasted quite well, I play 1-2 hours a day most days and they lasted a solid 4 months, though they were degrading noticeably the last couple of weeks, so maybe 175 hours or so. The only Larsen's I've used was their Il Cannone right when they came out; I liked them and will try them on my newest violin, but they don't last as long as others.

Edited: November 24, 2025, 7:18 PM · I'm more inclined to stick with the 4 or 5
sets/brands that I know for sure that I like. I am just not a fan of Warchals.
Nothing personal to any of the folks that use them.

November 24, 2025, 9:27 PM · Vision Titanium Solo were good strings for me, years ago when I last used them. Do think they have decent longevity.

Pirastro does better, way better longevity with their wound gut strings, save for perhaps their A string windings. That said, Perpetual Cadenza lasted a good long time for me (have never tried the original Perpetual for violin save for its amazing, platinum E,c which I do use and enjoy.)

I think that Warchal Brilliant are a good value as well, if they are still selling them. The Timber and others are newer (and theoretically better), but those older strings hold up well against any synthetic "competition", IMHO.

November 24, 2025, 10:27 PM · My first set of Visions lasted 10 months. I have some titanium solos and some titanium orchestras to try out, and I'm expecting one of them to be both perfect for my violin and long-lasting.