Customer Reviews

Thomastik Dominant 4/4 Violin String Set - Medium Gauge - Aluminum/Steel Ball-End E

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The Dominant strings have been something of a standard for violins for a long time. They were the strings that came with my first few violins, they were the strings that were recommended to me for a very long time, and they are the ones that you will see in most music stores. But for about the same price there are many better alternatives.
The problem with these strings? Their tone isn't really all that great. They have a miserably long break-in time. They aren't that durable (I've had some break within a week of installing them on my violin). And they aren't really that cheap either.
If you are at all particular about what kind of string that you use, I would recommend any of the sets that Pirastro offers. The Wondertones are just about equal in price, but are a much finer example. For around $20 or so more you could buy the Evah Pirazzis (very strong, bright tone with great projection) or the Obligatos (very rich, dark tone).
In short, use the Dominant for your kid's violin (it doesn't make much difference to them anyway), but for everyone else look elsewhere.

The Dominant strings sets the standard for synthetic violin strings, and is pretty predictable. They are fairly priced, so most instruments are strung with Dominants. When it is new, there is a slight metallic feel, but that goes away after it is stretched out. They last about 2-3 months, fairly bright, but with good overtones, and then gradually get duller. The E string is just ordinary, and many people substitute a different E string (such as Pirastro Gold). I like to substitute the Kaplan Solo E string or the Jargar Forte e.

Professional strings at a student price. no matter how expensive your violin is, this creates such a beutiful rich sound!

Definately awsome. Great response, tone, set-in time, and durability.

**Update** 7/3/08
They last forever, unlike some more expesive strings, though I do reccomend changing them at least annualy. I no longer use these strings, because they producesed a rather flat sound on my violin. If you love the sound of your instrument now, use these. They play beautifully and will not change the tone of your (hopefully) beautiful violin. If you want a more rich sound; obligatos. Brilliant sound; Eva Pirazzis. Obligatos I find work best on my instrument ( I own a 2007 Ramanian instrument valued at about $2,000 ). So, go for these three: Dominants, Eva Pirazzis, or Obligatos. Good Luck!!

As a member of several small orchestral groups and performer of solo work, I rather like these strings. Although the steel E string is rather bright and sharp, you can substitute of of Dominant's wound E strings that have a warmer tone. If you have trouble projecting your sound or have a naturally quiet instrument, then these strings will help your sound to carry farther and improve your tone.

For the price these strings are better than the usual student strings, and I am told that two primere/famous violinists use these. Anyway, They do give a good sound and a near descent feel but they die to quickly! Six weeks, maybe two months.... For the price, having to buy these every six weeks? Might as well buy Obligato, or any other upper echelon strings. At least they would last longer.

I haven't used this type of string in about ten years, and I don't remember them sounding this... dead. Their lack of resonance and clear sound is disappointing - I have paid less for better sounding strings. This will be my last set of Dominants.

These strings are kind of the strings I go with for my violin and they sound pretty good. I am a beginner so the sound really doesn't matter as much when I am playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star but they are better than what I usually use which are cheap and almost sound like banjo strings. I did notice out of the package they sound almost metallic and the E string always sounds to sharp when compared to the other. These will probably be the strings I go with since I have been through quite a few trying to find a good brand. So far price wise these are still the best and they have lasted me a good while. On the subject of price breaking one brand new is a moment of dread and tears (not really) but also relief when I do it right since I am not loaded with cash and I have to do all my violin stuff mostly myself so I am extra cautious. Not having much money to work with has actually made me better at restringing and any violin work even though there are some things I can't do. These strings may be costly but not as bad as they could be even though when I get better I will probably upgrade to better strings. Overall I think I will stick with the Dominant brand for a while in my beginner days since they do a good job.

When I first bought my fiddle, it was strung with Dominants. And I continued to use them, because I'd read that they're popular for playing the kind of non-classical music I practice (e.g., bluegrass, Celtic, etc.). They have a bright tone and project well.

One day, I noticed that, after just a couple months, my current Dominants had gone "dead," seemingly overnight--they sounded dull, and even felt harder to finger. I decided to look into a different string, and settled on Thomastik Infeld Red 4/4 Violin String Set - Medium Gauge with Removable Ball End Gold-plated Steel E also by Thomastik. The change to the sound of my (mid-grade) instrument (and its playability) was dramatic. I love the Infelds--a warmer, richer tone, and (in my experience) better durability. This isn't an ad for Infelds--there are other great strings out there (plus, instruments and their players are varied)--but, like me, you could probably find another string that suits you better.