Evah Pirazzi Gold (Pirastro)
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Reviews
Shawn Boucke - Site Director (9/1/15)
These are fantastic strings that would make most violinists happy. My violin likes a very neutral string and I would almost call this Neutral-plus. Every aspect of my violin whether it be projection, tone, richness, responsiveness is a hair above what I would expect from other synthetic strings and not going to an extreme to where I feel I would be out of place if I jumped from orchestra, to chamber, to solo playing. They certainly do keep much of the good qualities of original Evah Pirazzi but giving more room to speak.
R. Leda (10/20/15)
The strings that work by far the best on my (rather quiet and very picky) 1735 violin. I've tried at least 15 different strings and these produce the sweetest sound and have the best feel. They are somewhat like a bright Obligato string, but with more tension. Nevertheless, my teacher who uses the normal Evah Pirazzis tried them on her old instrument and they sounded terrible.
D. Baskin (4/22/15)
I got these strings because of the rave reviews they had been getting, but these just aren't my cup of tea.
My main criticism is that they are essentially just Evah Pirazzis (which isn't a bad thing if you love Evahs) made to be only marginally more velvety. Reviews made it sound like they were between Evahs and Obligatos--which is technically true, but they are not right in the middle but snug up against Evahs.
These strings fill a niche if you want Evahs minus 5% of what makes Evahs "too much."
Also, there is no option for an aluminum D--only a silver D. I've found one can somewhat formulaically group sound qualities by string winding material given similar core material. Though, how these qualities are described differs dramatically by personal taste. I've heard silver described as warm, but I would describe it as complex in a bad way (even for G strings). Aluminum sounds velvety to me; chrome is tinny on upper strings but complex in a good way on lower strings (same for tungsten--I use a tungsten spiro G); gold dead; tin E strings not tinny but warmer (ironically).
Lastly, I've found that brands have certain unifying sound aesthetics, even across their diverse offerings. (Thomastik is my favorite, as you may have guessed.)
My main criticism is that they are essentially just Evah Pirazzis (which isn't a bad thing if you love Evahs) made to be only marginally more velvety. Reviews made it sound like they were between Evahs and Obligatos--which is technically true, but they are not right in the middle but snug up against Evahs.
These strings fill a niche if you want Evahs minus 5% of what makes Evahs "too much."
Also, there is no option for an aluminum D--only a silver D. I've found one can somewhat formulaically group sound qualities by string winding material given similar core material. Though, how these qualities are described differs dramatically by personal taste. I've heard silver described as warm, but I would describe it as complex in a bad way (even for G strings). Aluminum sounds velvety to me; chrome is tinny on upper strings but complex in a good way on lower strings (same for tungsten--I use a tungsten spiro G); gold dead; tin E strings not tinny but warmer (ironically).
Lastly, I've found that brands have certain unifying sound aesthetics, even across their diverse offerings. (Thomastik is my favorite, as you may have guessed.)
C. Wilson (4/7/15)
My violin is a pretty bright sounding JS900 violin that I'm trying out for two weeks.
Evah Pirazzi Gold Violin Strings are a dream come true for this violin. They are loud, but clear. And they ring with brilliance while still achieving a warm tone.
E string is okay. It's responsive and loud. However. The string whistles to the brink of madness when going to it from the A string or in air. It's a diva of string. It works when it wants to work.
A string is one of the best A's I've tried. But, it sounds pretty nasal on this violin (these strings are pretty new though). I'm hoping this goes away after some more playing time.
D string is amazing. Has plenty of warmth, but is still able to project without sounding horrible.
G string is powerful, deep and gutsy, and possibly my favorite out of the set. I was trying the gold version
Overall I love these strings. The downside, just like T. Anzlovar, I feel these strings not worth their money:
1. G and D outshine the top ones.
2. I've yet to notice a decline in "shimmer and sparkle"
3. I'm still hoping this A string loses its nasal sound
4. Hopefully these stings last at least 3 months
I think they are just way too expensive for the sound I'm getting out of these. Maybe they would sound better on a different violin.
Evah Pirazzi Gold Violin Strings are a dream come true for this violin. They are loud, but clear. And they ring with brilliance while still achieving a warm tone.
E string is okay. It's responsive and loud. However. The string whistles to the brink of madness when going to it from the A string or in air. It's a diva of string. It works when it wants to work.
A string is one of the best A's I've tried. But, it sounds pretty nasal on this violin (these strings are pretty new though). I'm hoping this goes away after some more playing time.
D string is amazing. Has plenty of warmth, but is still able to project without sounding horrible.
G string is powerful, deep and gutsy, and possibly my favorite out of the set. I was trying the gold version
Overall I love these strings. The downside, just like T. Anzlovar, I feel these strings not worth their money:
1. G and D outshine the top ones.
2. I've yet to notice a decline in "shimmer and sparkle"
3. I'm still hoping this A string loses its nasal sound
4. Hopefully these stings last at least 3 months
I think they are just way too expensive for the sound I'm getting out of these. Maybe they would sound better on a different violin.
D. Lumsden (4/4/15)
A family heirloom violin sustained damage and I had it repaired by a gifted Luthier. It is a Hopf from the late 19th century and was remade to the top and back thickness of the Cremona violins. All new parts for bridge, tailpiece, post, fingerboard etc. It was strung with Evah Pirazzi Gold strings. The E did whistle a bit so I changed it out for a Kaplan wound. The sound was amazing although I have no idea of how they last as after 4 months playing it I returned it to the family. I found the strings bright but also warm and complex as well. I did play the instrument in the 1950's in school but strings and sound was different back then. it is a great soloist instrument now.
A. Tobin (10/25/14)
Let me first start by saying that I have been a loyal Obligato player for years. I enjoy the depth, warmth, and richness of the violin and, since I really did not like the Evah greens (way too bright for me), I always felt I would just have to deal with a little loss of power and projection for sound. Since I have tried these, I have found a beautiful, rich sounding string that also has projection and power. They truly are the best combination of both the Obligatos and the Evah greens. This is also the first set where I actually feel like the E string was not an afterthought, but part of the set. I think this is the first time that I have actually used the entire set on my violin!
I find the E to be sweet, rich and full. I have not noticed any whistling or squeaking while playing, although I have not really ever had much of an issue with that.
The A is warm and full, as are the rest of the strings. I get volume, clarity, and a quicker response than Obligatos with the Evah golds.
In fact, one of the reasons I tried these is because the Obligatos started to only last about two months for me. These came out right about this time, so I thought I would give them a try. I get a solid 3-4 months out of these strings! Of course, when they go, it is a bit more subtle.
A special note on the gold G string that they offer. I tried that on my violin and it was way too soft and muted. It, indeed, sounded like I was playing two different instruments when I would go from the G to the rest of it. I stick with the regular G.
Overall, these are my new constant for orchestral and chamber performances/playing. I love them!
I find the E to be sweet, rich and full. I have not noticed any whistling or squeaking while playing, although I have not really ever had much of an issue with that.
The A is warm and full, as are the rest of the strings. I get volume, clarity, and a quicker response than Obligatos with the Evah golds.
In fact, one of the reasons I tried these is because the Obligatos started to only last about two months for me. These came out right about this time, so I thought I would give them a try. I get a solid 3-4 months out of these strings! Of course, when they go, it is a bit more subtle.
A special note on the gold G string that they offer. I tried that on my violin and it was way too soft and muted. It, indeed, sounded like I was playing two different instruments when I would go from the G to the rest of it. I stick with the regular G.
Overall, these are my new constant for orchestral and chamber performances/playing. I love them!
H. Papakonstantinou (10/20/14)
A great string set. I was trying the silver G option. Comfortable tension, (maybe a little high) but they compensate you, due to their really great volume, projection. Their tonal spectrum could be unmatched for most synthetic core strings. When you could describe them as "bright" it would DEFINATELY not be just that. They are really full, with an apparent brilliant edge, but equally great in the midtones and the bass tones as well. They could make an instrument resonate even more, in a trully magnificent way.
D. Pedreira (9/12/14)
The sound is very complex and has a very warm tone. The differential of it for me is that it projects very well besides having a beautiful sound, has such depth. It projects more than others especially in higher positions. The response is quick and the voltage is not high. I thought sweet and brilliance than the Peter Infeld without being shrill. You can play with the bow force and still do a clean sound, only increasing the projection. On the string "E" is this more evident, since the string "G" not so much, but is above average. I will buy more often, if i have money of course lol ...
T. Anzlovar (9/20/13)
My violin is 20 years old quality instrument and is aging gracefully, spotting darker and richer tone every year.
Pirastro EPG2 are a revelation. Loud, clear, projecting, complex and not overly bright (but perhaps not suited to bright instruments).
E string is sweet, responsive and explosively loud. However. The string whistles like mad when hitting it comming from A and / or air. It's hard to achieve decent piano on this string.
A string is one of the sweetest and fullest A's ever. It's a worthy companion to E. Gradation in loudness is easier to achieve on this string.
D string is slightly under-powered compared to E and A, but very sweet. Could be my instrument though, but I haven't noticed any of this with other strings.
G string is powerful, deep and gutsy, but is very easy to bring to the "edge", where the sound bends and becomes unpleasant.
Overall (even though this review is positive) I feel these strings not worth their money:
1. E and A outshine the bottom ones.
2. The shimmer and power disappears after 2 weeks.
3. The string become too quiet in 2 months.
4. After 3 months it's impossible to play in tune.
There are more vices than just E whistling. The strings are sticky. It's hard to change positions. I had to use baby powder on my fingertips.
They diminish in power quickly and inconspicuously, letting you practice your power technique until you realize you can not even play in tune, let alone loud...
They are just plain too expensive for 2 weeks of glitter and 2 months of playing.
Pirastro EPG2 are a revelation. Loud, clear, projecting, complex and not overly bright (but perhaps not suited to bright instruments).
E string is sweet, responsive and explosively loud. However. The string whistles like mad when hitting it comming from A and / or air. It's hard to achieve decent piano on this string.
A string is one of the sweetest and fullest A's ever. It's a worthy companion to E. Gradation in loudness is easier to achieve on this string.
D string is slightly under-powered compared to E and A, but very sweet. Could be my instrument though, but I haven't noticed any of this with other strings.
G string is powerful, deep and gutsy, but is very easy to bring to the "edge", where the sound bends and becomes unpleasant.
Overall (even though this review is positive) I feel these strings not worth their money:
1. E and A outshine the bottom ones.
2. The shimmer and power disappears after 2 weeks.
3. The string become too quiet in 2 months.
4. After 3 months it's impossible to play in tune.
There are more vices than just E whistling. The strings are sticky. It's hard to change positions. I had to use baby powder on my fingertips.
They diminish in power quickly and inconspicuously, letting you practice your power technique until you realize you can not even play in tune, let alone loud...
They are just plain too expensive for 2 weeks of glitter and 2 months of playing.
J. Koziorynsky (4/6/13)
Evah Pirazzi Gold are the best strings I have ever used! I rate them with a projection of 4 because they I feel that they are loud when you need them to be unlike their sister string, Evah Pirazzi which are consistently loud all the time.