Dominant (Thomastik-Infeld)
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Reviews
A. Katarina (3/20/16)
I have used these for a long time, but recently decided to switch. I think they are an alright string, but they are very neutral in almost every aspect (hence the popularity I think). They work well with almost every violin, so if you are a beginner or intermediate player, you for sure should try these out. I know many professional players who use these paired with a Pirastro gold label e string (I think busy professional violinists decide to use these because they don't have time to try lots of other strings). In conclusion, if you are looking for a reliable neutral string you should give these a go. But if you have time (and money) on your hands I think you should try testing out other strings as well.
C. Harvey (5/2/14)
One of the best strings I've tried. They're Warm and very rich. But the first few days they will sound a little metallic. They only sound metallic to me for 2 or 3 days because I play 2-3 hours a day. But for the average player it may take almost a week. these strings don't need to be anymore projecting or else they may sound horrid. These are my go-to strings. But you might want to get a different e string. The Dominant one is too bright/metallic. I suggest a goldbrokat or gold label. My favorite strings out of this set are the g d strings. They sound so gut like.
This is an update since I have a new violin. It's a Robert A. Corsby by Mark Moreland. It's a pretty warm soloist type violin but it can still sound brilliant at times.
Dominant Violin Strings are a good round string for this violin. They aren't too bright or too warm, and they project very well. My experience is like other people. They sound metallic when first install but that wears off after a couple days. What I like about these strings is that they go from a brilliant sound to a warm and beautiful sound that just sings around the 2nd or 3rd week. The sound stays that way until the strings go bad which will then sound dead and lifeless. Trust me, you'll know. I get about 6-8 weeks out of these strings.
E string - Hate it with a passion. It's loud and twangy and just horrible. I switch it out for a gold label, jargar forte, or a goldbrokat. Just a terrible string.
A string is one of the best A's I've used. it starts out metallic like the other strings, but then becomes a really nice A string. Really reliable.
D string is amazing. Has plenty of warmth, but is still able to project without being strained.
G string is warm and doesn't choke in high registers. Probably my favorite out of the set.
Overall I love these strings. I do wish they could be priced a little lower.
1. G and D outshine the top ones.
2. I love the change in character these strings undergo through . Very warm tone from the original metallic bright sound.
3. I'm hoping they somehow change the e string. Right now it's just horrible.
This is an update since I have a new violin. It's a Robert A. Corsby by Mark Moreland. It's a pretty warm soloist type violin but it can still sound brilliant at times.
Dominant Violin Strings are a good round string for this violin. They aren't too bright or too warm, and they project very well. My experience is like other people. They sound metallic when first install but that wears off after a couple days. What I like about these strings is that they go from a brilliant sound to a warm and beautiful sound that just sings around the 2nd or 3rd week. The sound stays that way until the strings go bad which will then sound dead and lifeless. Trust me, you'll know. I get about 6-8 weeks out of these strings.
E string - Hate it with a passion. It's loud and twangy and just horrible. I switch it out for a gold label, jargar forte, or a goldbrokat. Just a terrible string.
A string is one of the best A's I've used. it starts out metallic like the other strings, but then becomes a really nice A string. Really reliable.
D string is amazing. Has plenty of warmth, but is still able to project without being strained.
G string is warm and doesn't choke in high registers. Probably my favorite out of the set.
Overall I love these strings. I do wish they could be priced a little lower.
1. G and D outshine the top ones.
2. I love the change in character these strings undergo through . Very warm tone from the original metallic bright sound.
3. I'm hoping they somehow change the e string. Right now it's just horrible.
E. Ellihu (3/7/15)
When i tried these strings for the first, now i can understand what and why people say about the scary horrible dominant e string. I know most of e strings are made by metal string, but this e string is really exceptional. It is really metalic and cut through to the ears. My ears are literaly in pain when hear the hiss of metalic sounding comes from this e string.
However the others (G D A string) are just nice. Actually my favorite of this set is the G one. It sounds really full and round. It's more like I have high-end register of cello strings.
My suggestion, just by for the G and A only.
However the others (G D A string) are just nice. Actually my favorite of this set is the G one. It sounds really full and round. It's more like I have high-end register of cello strings.
My suggestion, just by for the G and A only.
H. Papakonstantinou (3/7/15)
If you like the tension and the sound (most thomastik Infeld strings have a certain sound "core", other brands have this very trait as well) then it is an all-purpose string. Most strings would specialize in a specific part of playing, (tone, projection, volume, response, blending in) these can almost do most of these, but in a reasonable -and not infinite- extent.
When they are warmer than most synthetic and steel strings once they are broken in, this doesn't mean that they don't have a sometimes necessary edge or that they "mask" the sound of your instrument.
Bear in mind, that they require a little time to reach their full and stable sound, before that they may sound a little harsher than that.
Personally while the GDA are fantastic for their price, I usually dont get the E. My primary violin can withstand it, without any "squeaks" but I find that some other strings such as the Pirastro Gold Label Wondertone E or the Pirastro Aluminum wound Eudoxa E, a better match (the latter especially when you need to replace only the E string in the middle of the ADG lifespan)
P.S they are lower tension than most synthetics, so it could be necessary sometimes to modify your bowing in order to get the response and dynamics you want if you are coming from significantly higher tension strings, such as the Evah Pirazzi )
When they are warmer than most synthetic and steel strings once they are broken in, this doesn't mean that they don't have a sometimes necessary edge or that they "mask" the sound of your instrument.
Bear in mind, that they require a little time to reach their full and stable sound, before that they may sound a little harsher than that.
Personally while the GDA are fantastic for their price, I usually dont get the E. My primary violin can withstand it, without any "squeaks" but I find that some other strings such as the Pirastro Gold Label Wondertone E or the Pirastro Aluminum wound Eudoxa E, a better match (the latter especially when you need to replace only the E string in the middle of the ADG lifespan)
P.S they are lower tension than most synthetics, so it could be necessary sometimes to modify your bowing in order to get the response and dynamics you want if you are coming from significantly higher tension strings, such as the Evah Pirazzi )
H. Dam (4/11/14)
The main weakness is the E string. The other strings have a very nice sound. It is not as nice as gut (e.g. Eudoxa) but makes up for it in stability and projection. I haven't tried their new tin-plated E string yet. However, most people already know to just use GDA and use some other E string. I like Goldbrokat.
D. Martins (2/24/14)
Not have as much modulation as tzigane, but is good. The sound is a bit hot. lacks a bit of complexity, but it is not clean. The G string is quite dark. The E is very brillant. The voltage is low.
R. McDonnell (2/7/14)
After trying nearly every synthetic string on the market, in search of the perfect set, I realized that I had not tried dominants on my current violin, a beautiful modern Guarneri copy by the American maker Kelvin Scott. These are by far my favorite string. The perlon core creates a beautiful, brilliant, and warm sound. The beauty of the set lies in how completely balanced they are. They are not overly warm or bright. They are also incredibly easy to play, as they are soft under the fingers and have a quick bow response. My only complaint of the set is the e string. While the set is great, the e's are lousy and have a nasty boink to them. When paired with a jargar forte, lenzner, or pirastro gold label e, it is no wonder the set is still the world's most popular after 40 years.
G. Wilson (5/17/13)
These are on my fiddle now. I have a full set keeping the standard E on. Before I say how much I love these strings, I hate the first week. I do not know why these strings sound so horrible when you first put them on, but it is like putting on a set of Red Labels. Once they settle in they are by far the most reliable string ever.
D. Kok Zheng Rong (5/3/13)
I have been using this string for about 3 months now, and I've got to say, its wonderful and really worth the price you pay for. It projects a clean and warm sound, although the E string is quite sharp when played loudly. Never failed to do my concert musics proud, definitely worth buying.
N. Guevara (4/16/13)
If you haven't heard of dominats then you must not have been playing for long. Everyone talks about them and for a good reason they are good a baseline - a jack of all trades, master of none. Just because it doesnt excel in one specific area doesnt mean they are bad. Not to bright, not too dark; not to subtle, not to direct. A very neutral string that can match almost every violin, from a student to finely crafted. The only bad thing about them, as everyone else would say - the E string. No one uses it. I have tried the steel E and aluminum wrapped E. Both need to be thrown away. If you get a set, just get the A D G string and your choice of E - such as hill, gold label, jarger, etc. You cant go wrong with them and im sure EVERYONE at one point of another has used them.
S. Welling (4/3/2013)
One of the best strings on the market today. After experimenting with different brands I know that I can always come back to Dominants. They can have a metallic-y tone for the first week, but settle in quickly. They have a bit lower tension compared to other synthetic strings.