Red Label Pearl - Super Sensitive Spotlight Review

Red Label strings are one of the most famous sets in the violin world.  Many violinists have either used them when they began playing or have students who use them today.  Many fiddle players still prefer them as their go-to string. A little over a year ago Super-Sensitive gave use a new string with a similar name, Red Label Pearl.  Red Label Pearl strings have a nylon core.  The set comes with two E strings just in case one breaks.  I don't believe Super-Sensitive expects their string to randomly break but understands the vulnerability of an E-string especially in the hands of a beginning student.

The strings have the similar color scheme as the standard Red Label strings but with a white (pearl colored) spiral at the tail end.

Manufacture notes 

• Nylon core string that is warm and performs broad and full
• Very economical, superb value for school programs
• Designed for students whose technique and skills have advanced beyond legendary steel core Red Label
• Core is anchored with copper eyelets to increase the dynamics of the tone.
• Silver D & G and an aluminum A create an extremely balanced set.
• Its tone is warm and smooth, its projection is balanced and clear, and its presence is natural and pleasant.

Feel
Red Label Pearl strings are not a highly polished string.  When you first install them you may feel as if you are playing on guitar strings because of the tactile feel as well as the audible sound when shifting.  The strings will continue to stretch for about a week with heavy playing and by the end smooth out, although you are still able to feel the winding quite a bit.  I was first turned off by this but after about a week I did a complete one-eighty.  I had all of my younger students test out the string and although a majority could not tell any different from their strings many loved the feel telling me that they could "feel the string better."  I had one student mention that his bow seemed to "grip the string more."  Most of the students did like the flexibility that came with the nylon strings. The string was definitely a hit with my students.

Projection
Compared to the original metal core Red Label strings these were a bit quieter.  They were not as muted as other synthetic strings are and still have a bit of a punch behind them giving a performer in an orchestra more than enough sound.

Tone
When you think of nylon strings many people imagine Pro Arté, or Dominants with their warm characteristics.  Red Label Pearl seemed to keep a brighter tone you can come to expect from other student strings.  They respond very fast and do not act like a typical synthetic string. 

I do need to applaud Super-Sensitive in creating a very balanced set.  Not a single string feels out of place from the G up to the E-string.  They sound best in the lower positions and keep the same tone across all four strings.  

Conclusion
If you are using or have a student that has used Red Label strings these are a great next step without breaking the bank.  They have a bit more warmth, a bit more flexibility, and a bit more color than its steel core counterpart.  Because of the unpolished feel and lack of complexity I would hesitate to use this set for performing the Tchaikovsky Concerto in front of a 100 piece orchestra, but they hold true to their claims of being "Designed for students whose technique and skills have advanced beyond legendary steel core Red Label."