• Spotlight Reviews
  • Read reviews
    • Synthetic
    • Metal
    • Gut
    • E strings
  • Top Rated
  • Guides
    • String Color I.D.
    • Introduction
    • Tension Chart
    • Quick Reference
    • History
  • Downloads
ViolinStringReview.com
  • Spotlight Reviews
  • Read reviews
    • Synthetic
    • Metal
    • Gut
    • E strings
  • Top Rated
  • Guides
    • String Color I.D.
    • Introduction
    • Tension Chart
    • Quick Reference
    • History
  • Downloads

Tonica (Pirastro)

Picture
Displayed for educational use only, please do not reuse.
Synthetic (Nylon) core         
Picture

What the manufacturer says:
  • They produce a lively well-rounded sound, perfectly balanced across all four strings.
  • Responding instantly to any bowing style, they reward both player and listener with an open and direct sound.
  • With substantially reduced background 'hiss', players can sustain a more even tone helping to achieve smoother string crossings.
  • Whilst giving positive feed back to your left hand, Tonica strings remain very easy to play right up into the highest positions.
  • Projection and brilliance have been upgraded.
  • However, this excess does not mean that the Tonica has lost its warmth.
  • Playing pianissimo has considerably improved.
  • All bow strokes are possible resulting in smooth crossings from one note to another.
  • Easy right hand articulation and tone attack.
  • Due to their medium string tension Tonica strings are suitable for all instruments.

New Review Tool
Average
Picture
Neutral/Warm (Tone)
Picture
Clean/Neutral (Complexity)
Picture
Neutral (Projection)
Picture
Overall

Reviews
T. Boyer (3/4/17)
Picture
Neutral (Tone)
Picture
Neutral (Complexity)
Picture
Neutral (Projection)
Picture
Overall
Tonicas are a great bargain at half the price of premium strings. They're sonically kind of in the middle of the road. Not too brassy, not too dark, they're acceptable for any situation and will do for a professional in a pinch. 

For a student player ready to graduate from steel strings, Tonicas are a great next step. They're also long lasting and stay in tune very well
J. Ling (12/26/17)
Picture
Neutral (Tone)
Picture
Neutral (Complexity)
Picture
Loud (Projection)
Picture
Overall
I love them. They sound great on every single violin I've tried them on. Quite honestly, I could describe them as warm and brilliant.
E. Ellihu (1/15/16)
Picture
Neutal (Tone)
Picture
Neutral (Complexity)
Picture
Loud (Projection)
Picture
Overall
They are quite nice strings for the price. Evryone will agree that. The sound is more like neutral,not too bright not too dark. They sound direct and focus,compare to the dominant (another popular neutral set). Actualy which that means tonica has a perfect A string. I found A dominant was warm and still a little bit brightless so the trantition from bottom to top strings couldn't be smoother. With A tonica you'll find a smooth trantition combination set,G and D dominant (dark warm quality sound) A tonica (focus brilliant quality sound) and your E choice.
​

For E tonica it rings beautifuly. Unfortunatly the fact it is easy to corrode. If you have sweaty hands,by a month of playing it has been rusty.
Over all they are worth to try.
D. Lumsden (7/16/15)
Picture
Neutal (Tone)
Picture
Rich (Complexity)
Picture
Loud (Projection)
Picture
Overall
These took a while to stretch in on my K500 Chinese violin but have remained in tune well after settling. The lower strings are smooth and richly rounded sound, more so than the Helacores that were on before. The A projects well too. I cannot comment on the E as I use a Kaplan. I would not use these on my electric but love them on the acoustic.



H. Papakonstantinou (2/24/15)
Picture
Neutral (Tone)
Picture
Neutral (Complexity)
Picture
Neutral (Projection)
Picture
Overall
To start with, these are good strings, and could be the strings for the price.

They could be pretty similar to the Thomastik Dominant, although they have a more focused, round and less "sandy" G string

They are overall quite neutral, in terms of tone and maybe a little less complex than the Dominant. This does not mean that they are brighter though...



C. Adams (7/6/14)
Picture
Warm (Tone)
Picture
Rich (Complexity)
Picture
Neutal (Projection)
Picture
Overall
Excellent strings for the price. I bought a set for my Carlo Lamberti Sonata violin, and so far they have been my favorite. They have a much richer complex tone in the lower strings, and the E and A have decent projection without being too quiet. My only problem with them is that the A string's winding came apart after 3 months of playing, which might be the result of my rough playing (I play steel string Guitar which needs more finger strength and force).



C. Wilson (4/10/14)
Picture
Neutral (Tone)
Picture
Clean (Complexity)
Picture
Loud (Proejction)
Picture
Overall
One if my favorite sets on the market. They ring like bells and are insanely cheerful. I would recommend these strings to anyone with a softspot for a cheerful sound.



R. McDonnell (3/30/14)
Picture
Neutral (Tone)
Picture
Neutral (Complexity)
Picture
Neutral (Projection)
Picture
Overall
Tonicas are Pirastro's third, and most popular attempt at creating a rival string to the Thomastik Dominant. Like dominant, they feature a nylon core. In my experience, they are not quite as good as dominants. On my violin, a neutral to bright instrument with good projection, they are pretty quiet. They do not ring at all for me. The response is poor with these strings on my violin. That being said, I know plenty of professionals who use these strings and they are excellent. If they work for your violin, they may be the best deal out. If your instrument seems to like neutral synthetics like dominants, these are definitely worth a try.



J. Penurious (11/13/13)
Picture
Warm (Tone)
Picture
Clean (Complexity)
Picture
Neutral (Projection)
Picture
Overall
These strings are quite nice.  They allowed me to feel like I was getting away with something.  They respond beautifully to various bowing manipulations.  I would recommend trying them, but like any string, they sound different on different instruments.  That said, you'll like them if they sound right, right after you put them on.



S. Thompson (5/14/13)
Picture
Warm (Tone)
Picture
Neutral (Complexity)
Picture
Neutral (Projection)
Picture
Overall
I started on these strings, but then put them aside for something with a bit more punch.  Their 'new formula' is fantastic.  It is nothing very different, but has that punch I was looking for.  These are comparable to Dominants, and only seem to be down played because of the price.  If you like Dominants I would highly recommend picking a set of these up.  



T. Truong (5/7/13)
Picture
Neutral (Tone)
Picture
Clean (Complexity)
Picture
Quiet (Projection)
Picture
Overall
After trying these violin strings two years ago, I'm still a devout follower. They are extremely durable and quick to settle. Quality is comparable to that of Dominant strings but for a cheaper cost. I recommended it to all my students and these strings seem to work wonder for them.
Contact | About | Terms & Rules
Like us on Facebook to stay informed on news, reviews, and giveaways!

Sponsors
  • Spotlight Reviews
  • Read reviews
    • Synthetic
    • Metal
    • Gut
    • E strings
  • Top Rated
  • Guides
    • String Color I.D.
    • Introduction
    • Tension Chart
    • Quick Reference
    • History
  • Downloads