A versatile metal core A string with excellent response.
For the old 'Russian' style of the Oistrachs etc. Medium tension, ball end.
Grade 8+
12
out of
13
found the following review helpful
Pros: I've used three or four of these and like them very much. They project a sweet, clean, firm, steady sound without any harsness or metallic ring. They articulate very well, as you'd expect, with a steel E, but also with any synthetic core D that I have tried. There is a most attractive warmth about them. I have four very good violins, including an oldish (1904) French one, and this would be my string of choice with all of them.
Cons: Nothing
Beginner
Keen Amateur
2
out of
3
found the following review helpful
Pros: I've always had trouble on my violin with the open A sounding harsh, even when I use Helicore (though their Al-wound E is still my favourite). But this string solves the problem, my open A sounds great now.
Cons: Nothing, I'm happy!
Teacher
Warchal Russian A - bliss
Pros: What a terrific string! I love the clear, warm sound - and of course I love the stability. I play with Eudoxa (gut core light gauge) G & D strings and a Hill light-gauge steel E. A stable A string also helps the stability of my G and D. I had used a Larsen Virtuoso A, which is nice, but I much prefer the Russian A. I set up my tailpiece with StradPet titanium dual tuners for the upper strings to accomodate my occasional switch to Gamut pure gut A & D.
Cons: I like everything about this string.
Professional
Great A string
Pros: Great string, high quality finish, feel and packaging, bought as part of a set with Amber E Forte and brilliant D and G, and I can confirm that they work well together as a set. Easy to play, very loud and long lasting to boot. The A is great as (being steel) it doesn't unravel at the 2nd finger position after a month or so. I also really like having an A that sits better with the E string in terms of feel and brightness.
Cons: None
Other: I use these on a 2002 instrument and they work fine however on my 19th century fiddle the tension is way too high, the Vintage's work much better
Professional
Good and loud!
Pros: Bought this along with Amber E and the Brilliant D and G - on my 2001 made fiddle they are a seriously LOUD combo, takes a lot of the work out of playing in busy/noisy bars, love them! They have given a new lease of like to my somewhat neglected 2001 fiddle
Cons: Didn't sound so good on my mid-19th century fiddle - too high a tension.
Other: Having the A string steel means it pairs better with E string than the D in terms of sound and response/playability. Also hoping that this string will last longer than an aluminium wound string, time will tell.
Professional
Keen Amateur
An outstanding and innovative string!
Pros: I've been using this string since it came out. Like other reviewers, I find it warm, very responsive and extremely stable and long lasting. Tonally, it bridges nicely between my synthetic D and my steel E - no-one has ever spotted that I'm playing a metal string. I have a good modern instrument, and it's an excellent match. I understand that this was a labour of love for Warchal and took many years of R&D. It's great to see a small company offering something so innovative and successful!
Cons: No cons - this really is an excellent string.
Keen Amateur
Recommended option for an A string substitute
Pros: This is a fabuolus string that is perfect for those who have settled a G & D combination but are unconvinced about the A string of that particular set. For example, I have put it with Tzigane G & D and with Eudoxa G & D (stiff). In every case, it has blended very well. Despite being a steel string, it is very, very warm. The response is unparalleled and you may be confident about playing in the highest positions. The durability of the string and its tuning stability are perfect. It is my string of choice when I set a Russian Combination (steel A & E with gut G&D). It doesn't need a fine tuner.
Cons: The texture is obviolusly different from a synthetic or gut A, but it takes just a couple of hours to get used to it.
Grade 8+