Thank you for such an in-depth (and as always humorously entertaining!) review! I'm glad you showcased the four string sets side by side so that we may hear the differences ourselves.I must say that the Dynamos did sound the best to my ears and makes me excited to receive my pre-ordered set! I appreciate that you took such time and effort to display this comparison.Another example of Fiddlershop's great customer service and care and why you guys are now my "go to" source for all my fiddling around! Thank you Michael and to all at Fiddlershop! You help keep the music alive!
They are too expensive and the sound is very disappointing compared to other options on the market. If they bring them out for viola and cello we will cry just seeing the price. One day musicians won't be able to afford strings if the prices keep going up like that.
Thanks for making this comparison. You are totally ignoring the Rondo which I thought was the be all end all string. Michael Darnton is on record that it makes almost all violins sound 25 percent better. Can you please describe the pros and cons of the new string vs Rondo? Thank you.
I would love to hear your preferences for violas. I have a 15 1/2 " viola and want the warmest, most responsive string available. Thanks for your comments. I really appreciate your comments.
Most expensive are Olivs, even more so if choosing rigid/stiff. But I bet they last longer (gut lasts longer than synthetics because of their organic nature-unless you abuse them in some way, that is.) The price creep-up is what I dislike about the Dynamo in principle-it makes everyone go a bit pricier because of Thomastik's lead (I am talking about synthetics-Oliv have been the most expensive since they were introduced.) Your previously reviewed Perpetual Cadenza have lower tension, lower price, and at least I know I love their tone. I will never try Dynamo (happy with what I am using.) Of the strings compared , I liked them in this order: Passione, Pi, Dynamo, Virtuoso (I was expecting the Virtuoso to do better, but it wasn't as present/clear as I thought it was.) I like Oliv, despite the high price (I do avoid rigid versions-not truly essential for my playing), but wouldn't pay 142 for any synthetic, even the Perpetual Cadenzas, which I did very much enjoy and was surprised about how awesome they were and lasted. But as you said, good to have options. Do not like the "price-creep", but if these make many violinists happy and they can afford it, so be it-even if I know they weren't meant for me. My apologies if I offend anyone. Play what you love. 👍🎻
I feel Dynamo is a bit muddy. Still prefers PI 101. However, Dynamo may fit well on a violin that has too bright sound. My luthier is also recommend to use Thomastik strings.
Hey Fiddlershop I have a rather minor detail question: set DY100 says it comes with a silver D but the description in Fiddlershop is an Aluminum D. Is there a typo in either description?
Those string sound nice, but I think they are too expensive for the difference in tone (if any). I personally prefer the Pirastro Perpetual strings over any others, now those have a long life span. But please tell me more about that first violin, it has beautiful maple! 😍
oh! I forgot to add it to the description like I said I would. So that is my 1949 Carl Becker, violin made in Chicago. I wanted to spend as much time playing the strings as I could, so I just put them on my violin, rather than on an instrument from the shop.
I enjoyed your videos, but I found myself keep looking for clues as to what these terms mean. For instance. It was explained to me years ago that response means how soon the tone appears - in an old instrument with dried wood, The response is going to be excellent - the tone comes instantaneously. In a newer instrument, the tone is seemingly delayed. That's response, but how would you define focus or brilliance? you use analogies, but you never talk the physics and the specifics like I did with response. And also, I would like to hear something about what they change in the string, make up besides the tension - what are the strings made of in the core?
Thanks for watching. Great questions: The change from “warm” to “brilliant” might be best illustrated by singing the vowel “Oooh” and changing to “Eeeh” (without changing pitch). “Warm” violin strings are also described as deep, dark, but sometimes muddy. “Brilliant” violin strings are also described as clean, crisp, but sometimes shrill. While it’s difficult to explain these different sounds in words, “broad” sounds like shining a flashlight of sound out of the instrument-wide, open, but perhaps cloudy. “Focused” is more like a laser beam of sound-narrow, quick, and powerful. String core can be made of gut, steel, or synthetic polymers. Not only do the types of metals used in the core affect the sound quality, but whether the core is made of a solid metal, stranded metal, or synthetic polymers also makes a difference.
You're very funny, but don't quit your day job. Ha. Just a friendly ribbing. No harm meant. Why the difference in strings? Is it easier on my fingers to use flatwound, or roundwound?
I think a violin like the Fiddlerman Soloist would be interesting to hear with these strings. It can tend to be too bright and restricted with it has PI strings. We've switched to puting Dominants on it, and warmed up a bit. I think Dynamos would help it find a more "open" sound still. fiddlershop.com/products/fiddlerman-soloist-violin-outfit
I think it would be interesting to do a blind test to see if a specialist can make a difference between these strings. There are blind comparisons for guitar Same brand on youtube, and it's really very interesting 😂.I even saw an article on the blind comparison between guarneri and stradivari violins by specialists and even they can't tell the difference 😮. When we see that Hilary Hahn and many great soloists play on standard dominants... I really ask if all these strings aren't just marketing 🧐.
Thank you for this helpful review! Passione strings sound absolutely the best on my violin. Despite their exceptional tonal quality, the frequent tuning and limited lifespan led me to switch to Obligatos. Unfortunately, they didn't quite meet my expectations in terms of sound. These dynamo's might be exactle what I've been looking for!
Excellent review!Thank you! I tried Pirazzi's but they don't last physically and degrade tonally. I then got hooked on Titanium Vision Solo which last me about 3 months. Now I'm seriously considering the Dynamos. It would have been helpful to hear you compare Dynamo with Titanium Vision Solo. I shall certainly check out your other string comparison vids. Thanks again 👍
I just picked up a set. and am thoroughly enjoying a really different kind of sound.. Great Video.. ..and larsen has a set now for almost 400 us... pretty crazy...
I like thomastik Pi the feel that created by thoose string amazing and dynamo is quite different but I like it too. For Pirastro Pasione the sound too sweet for me and Larson Virtuoso quite strange in my ear. Its just my opinion. For many people they have their own favorite string❤❤
This video was really informative thank you! I’m trying the strings right now and I really like them, but they are a little bit powerful for my instrument. What would you recommend for a modern instrument that already has a lot of volume but would benefit from more gentleness, colors, and subleties? To keep things fun, I will add the following challenge: it tends to get fuzzy on the G string so I would also need something that offers clarity on the G string.
That's a great question! Have you considered perhaps something like the Larsen Tzigane or the Pirastro Violino? The Violinos would likely be a great set to pair with your violin. :) Thanks for watching!
@@Fiddlershop Thank you for this! I've never heard of violino strings! And I've not tried the Tzigane. I'll try to see if you have a video/videos about them! (And I'll order from you!)
Hi Michael! I enjoyed your presentation/review. Question: Another accomplished violinist here on RU-vid mentioned that the effective life-span on the Dynamo strings is about 2 months.. I was disheartened to hear that - considering someone like myself is relatively poor, and at about $140+ a set, that isn't cost-effective. I was going to by the Pi 100's..until I watched your review.. and bought the Dynamo's [coming in the mail].. Now, I'm not sure I made a good choice. I'm relearning the violin so I maybe 'classified' as an advanced beginner. I have a rather inexpensive violin, and I wanted to make the most of it - that was my MO in taking the plunge for the Dynamo's.. Did I make a huge mistake? I am/was hoping the Dynamo's will last a long time considering my huge expenditure..
I don't know if you made a huge mistake, but I think you need a certain quality instrument to be able to really take advantage of the types of colors that higher end strings have to offer. For fiddles that are below the $8K-10K range, I think the best bet is to stick with Dominants, Evahs, or maybe PIs if you're at a higher level. Your instrument is the largest factor in your sound production (besides you, the player, of course) and if your violin doesn't have a ton of different colors to bring out, these strings are likely not worth the price tag for you. If you keep practicing and one day decide to upgrade to a nicer fiddle, you can always revisit the more expensive sets.
@@MaggieBoy12345 Thank you Michael. Good points... Ummm.. welllll heh, what's done is done.. and I had ordered these strings before I could stop them.. Anyway [blush].. I will let you know here what happens when I play with them.. I'm relearning violin [I'm 70 now - a big kid].. it's been 50+ years since I've played.. and only could afford a verrry modest violin. I am also very curious as to how [or if] the Dynamo's will sound.. Thank you for your kind and helpful reply!
@@MaggieBoy12345 All I can say is "WOW"! I just put the new Dynamo strings on my [Blush] $90 violin [Yes, you can call me crazy].. and what a HUGE difference they make on my modest violin! You see, I am retired on a small budget, and my violin was rated highly by another RU-vid artist. I replaced the pegs, tailpiece and bridge with much better ones [Red Sandalwood], and also bought a more expensive Pernambuco bow - and with these Dynamo strings.. my little violin sounds amazing! Nice warmth and clarity with 'singing' highs.. I'm very impressed. I have needed to use more rosin than on other strings I tried.. but that's an easy "fix"..
Hey there! I think everyone's mileage will vary to some extent, but 2 months seems awfully short. I've had them on for almost 4 months now, and they sound as good as ever. Granted, I'm not playing 4 hours on them EVERY day, or anything like that. But, still. @MaggieBoy12345's point is valid to some extent, that you will notice MORE of a difference with a finer instrument, but I think they're still great strings for any instrument. It's more of an issue that your money will go farther if you save up for a better instrument, than shelling out for premium strings on the regular.
On your violin I preferred the PI on the lower strings, but the upper strings sounded too shrill. I didn't like the low end of the Dynamo. It's just too broad. The thicker E helped it, but would need to hear how that affected the D string. Thanks for the fun review 😀.
Hello ! Well, strangely I find these strings poorer than the PI and Virtuoso. I don't really like the Passione, on this violin at least (but is it the "ordinary" Passione or the Solo?) The PI and Virtuoso seem to have a broader and more sonorous sound than the Dynamo. Whatever the explanations given, I find the price shamefully high. Far too high. Concerning the longevity, I don't know anything of course but I have some doubts. The Dominant lose their sound very quickly (after 10 days there is nothing left) and so does PI in my experience. I used to use PI for A-D-G and Tzigane Strong for E until recently and I found that they lost their sound and power quite quickly. In general, I find that Thomastik-Infeld strings tend to lose their tone quite quickly. Currently I have switched to Il Cannone, Medium for A-D-G and Soloist for E, and I am very happy with them at the moment. They sound large, broad, relatively focused, colorful... and they seem to have a long life span, unlike many. I installed them around January 5th and still have them. They have lost little or nothing of their sound, something that has rarely happened to me with other strings. As for the EPs, I find them overestimated for what they really are. I'm not a fan. I don't like their sound very much, especially the bass, and they are only powerful because they are high tension, which is a problem for some violins, including old ones. Their life span is also very short. I knew a very famous international soloist who hated these strings but only played them because the manufacturer provided them for free !
I am really curious to know how long Dynamo's last. I am able to almost get my Perpetual Strings to 6 months. I have never even tried EP because I have heard that they only last 3 months before they lose their sound.
@@Firenmage433 Not for PI, just Dominant. PI, a little bit more :D But Dominant, absolutely yes ! If you are an advanced student, semi-pro or professional (like me) Also the soloists who use Dominant change every week or two because of this (they lose their brilliance, power etc. quite quickly) E.g. Itzhak Perlman, with whom I once spoke after a concert, also explained this. He plays Dominant out of habit, but changes them every ten days or so for that reason. And for others it is the same.
