Pirastro Obligato 4/4 Violin String Set - Medium Gauge - with Ball-end E

by Pirastro

Product Features

• Full Set includes All Ball-End Gold-plated Steel E, Alumuminum winding/Synthetic core A,
• 4/4 Violin
• Medium Gauge
• Silver winding/Synthetic core D, Silver winding/Synthetic core G

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B000NFWB18
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,964 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #9 in Musical Instruments > Instrument Accessories > Stringed Instrument Accessories > Violin Accessories > Strings

Product Description

Pirastro Obligato strings are based on an exclusive new core material, along with advances in manufacturing techniques, resulting in the true warmth and complex overtones of gut core strings with the stability and quick response of synthetic core strings. Obligato has also demonstrated quick break in time, exceptional projection, and unusual durability.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great strings!, November 13, 2009

By 

silver trumpet and violin (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pirastro Obligato 4/4 Violin String Set - Medium Gauge - with Ball-end E

I just ordered my second pair of the Obligatos. They are great all around strings; much better than the Corellis I replaced. My first pair of Obligatos lasted a year and a half, then I noticed they weren't as responsive, and became more difficult to play. Actually, I was surprised they lasted that long. The new set was easy to break in (tuning stablizied within a week) and they have a great tone. (I think my violin would sound good with a lot of different brands of strings, however the obligatos really make a subtle difference to me, especially on sustained notes). They can make a really good violin sound great. I know they are expensive, but they last longer than traditional gut strings, and I love that they stay in tune. I ordered mine through Johnson String Instruments, and I received them within a week of ordering them. (I know JSI was a few dollars more than their competitors, but they have great service--this is my third order from them and I intend to order from them in the future.)
I wouldn't put the obligatos on a student level violin, but if you have a fairly decent violin ($5000-10,000 range) they are worth the price. If I could afford to change them out more frequently, I would, but they still sound great after a year and a half of playing about 10 hours per week.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars dark, but not edgy, July 18, 2009

By 

Peter - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pirastro Obligato 4/4 Violin String Set - Medium Gauge - with Ball-end E

I personally really enjoy these strings, but they're not for every instrument. If you've always thought your instrument was a bit too bright and sharp, these strings will probably be perfect. They can really soften up and add depth to your tone. If your instrument is already fairly deep sounding, they might just muddy up the waters.

On another note, they're also not the most powerful strings out there, so take that into consideration.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brendan Mulvihill disagrees, June 4, 2008

By 

Susan Dabney (Easton, MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pirastro Obligato 4/4 Violin String Set - Medium Gauge - with Ball-end E

Brendan Mulvihill who was all-Ireland champion several times advised me to try the Obligatos. They are expensive but so rich and responsive. And yes, they can give a little subtlety to a violin that tends to have a brighter sound if you prefer dark. But we put a set of used ones on an old violin someone dragged out of the closet and played a gypsy duet, and wow! Just the ticket.