Top 3 Violin Strings for a Warm Sound
You can color the tone of your violin by choosing a different set of violin strings
Try out these strings for a warmer sound
Strings are one of the factors that influence the sound quality of your violin. Others are the violin itself, it’s adjustments, your bow and of course your playing technique. Click here to learn more about how your violin technique can influence your tone quality. In this article, let’s talk strings…
1) Pirastro Obligato – most popular
The most popular warm sounding string. A lot of violin players are very enthusiastic about this type of strings. They create a beautiful deep warm and full tone. Certainly when you have a bright and large sounding violin, these strings could be a good match. Their tuning stability is very good, they break in easily and quickly and they last long.
2) Warchal Amber – my personal favorite
Not so well known as the Obligato’s, these strings are inspired by gut strings. They sound velvet like, smooth and warm. The low tension and thickness of the strings gives a nice soft feeling under your fingertips. These strings have been my favorite for years, until I started using Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Gold for a bit more power. It depends on your playing setting what you like best. I’d say that for solistic work and chamber music, use the Golds. For orchestra playing, use the Ambers.
Improve your violin bowing technique
Enjoy my FREE mini Masterclass 5 Bowing Secrets to Create a Professional Sound on the Violin
Hi! I'm Zlata
Classical violinist helping you overcome technical struggles and play with feeling by improving your bow technique.
3) D’Addario Pro Arte – affordable option
These strings produce a warm mellow tone. For violin players in their first years of playing and students, I always recommend these as an alternative to the Thomastik Dominants. It’s quite easy to produce an acceptable sound on them as a beginner violinist. They are very forgiving and extremely affordable.
When you bought a factory violin with horrible steel strings and you want a better sound, this is a cheap way to upgrade your gear.
Doubting between gut strings and synthetic strings?
You’ve probably heard that gut strings tend to sound warmer than the synthetic core strings mentioned above. I’ve made a comparison between to warm sounding string types, one is gut and one is synethic. Click here and discover if you can hear the difference!
Guide to buying violin strings
If you’d like to read a lot more about violin strings, what they’re made of and see a lot more string reviews, check out this violin string buying guide.
What type of strings do you use?
Let me know in the comments!
I liked the Obligato medium on my 16 inch German Pfretzschner.
I put the Pirazzi Weich light on my 16 inch Korean Knilling and it is just a bit more bright than I want it to be.
Yes, Obligato’s are beautiful, David!
I currently am using the Obligatos, but I also love Evah Pirazzis. Both very mellow sounding.
Certainly! Have you tried Evah Pirazzi Golds?
My violin has tended to be a bit too bright and has plenty of power. Warchal Amber was too bright with little complexity. Best so far has been Larsen Tzigane Stark G,D and E with Med A. Although G and D are a but unfocused higher on the string. May try Larsen Virtuoso Med for G and D. Overall I’m happier with the sweeter sound I can get and better dynamic control. So many variables with instruments, bows, strings and rosin! Thank you for your great articles and You-tube channel! I learn a lot from you!
Thank you for sharing, Sarah, and I’m happy my resources are useful to you :).
I’m a fiddler and I’m looking for a warmer set of strings for my fiddle. I have a good sized fiddle and it has lots of volume! Ii am presently using Chromcor for GDA and Hill for E string but they are bright and I would like a warmer, full tone sound instead.
Someone mentioned Infeld Reds?? Never used these. Strings can be expensive and so don’t want to buy right now and maybe not like them. Any suggestions?
Have you tried Prelude? Here’s a handy violin string comparison chart that might give you some new ideas.
I am a total a beginner except that I learned violin when I was four for about a year.
I bought a 7/8 size violin for my very petite figure (less than 5 feet), and it fits me very well. I can play the music as I play the melody just as I play music by heart . Of course not like a virtuoso. Now, my friend gave me a set of Dominanti strings. I can’t even tell if these are 4/4 or if they fit any size such as 3/4 by cutting the strings short, etc. My friend always gives “quality” gifts, so I think these are not the cheapest ones.
How should I deal with this somewhat fancy but what could be wrong strings…
Thank you.
Usually 4/4 strings fit a 7/8 violin. If possible I wouldn’t cut them as they might detangle.