Peter Infeld and Alphayue violin strings

2019 marks a century in business for Vienna based Thomastik-Infeld, which started out as a two man outfit in 1919 and now employs just under 200 people. Having been pioneers of steel core flat-wound strings, the company went through another major period of innovation from 1950 to the early ‘60s. Working with synthetic fibres to imitate the complexity of gut core strings, they incorporated Infeld's new technology to set an industry standard with Dominant strings. The warmth of these compared to steel strings, coupled with stability, ease of playing and tonal range meant that for decades they were the popular choice for students, professionals and soloists.

While Dominants are still arguably the go-to choice for many players and teachers, the competition from other top makers has always been intense and this seems only to have increased over the last thirty years or so. Not only have new companies like D’Addario and Warchal entered the market but also the number of different types of string from each maker is larger than ever. Inevitably, people are drawn to the latest innovations, so when Pirastro brought out the Evah Pirastri strings, which led the premium string market for so long, Thomastik-Infeld had to respond. This they did in 2013 with Peter Infeld, or PI strings.

A set apart

Peter Infeld's are unapologetically bold yet responsive to the lightest stroke which makes them great for fine playing in all sorts of situations from solo to symphony. According to Thomastik-Infeld, they are on the warm rather than the brilliant side of the spectrum, but this has to be considered in the light of other makers’ strings. After a couple of weeks, they still have a slightly metallic sound under the ear, but the overall projected sound is one of quality, including rich overtones, absolute stability and focus for pitch. Compared to a slightly warmer, broader sounding string, the PI set offer a surprising level of assurance when playing in high positions as part of a thick orchestral texture.

When it comes to tension, there is a notable difference between using a lighter tension E string and the ones supplied by this set. Whether you choose a platinum, gold or tin-plated E string from the PI set, the tension on that string will be 8.3kg. According to one of Infeld's artist advisors it is the relationship between the G string and the E string that is supremely important. A ratio of just under 2 to 1 seems to be common and the PIs have the highest ratio of all Infeld's premium strings, at 8.3kg on the E string to 4.7kg on the G string. The effect is to open up the sound of the instrument and allows both the E string and the G to play incredibly powerfully. This may be to the slight detriment of the middle strings so for some instruments it may be worth using a different A or D.

While affordable for students, the Alphayue set still retain the same warmth and tonal range

There is a choice between an aluminium wound D, for a more brilliant sound, or a silver wound one which will produce a warmer effect, but which one you prefer may simply be a pragmatic choice. Aluminium can suffer corrosion when exposed to the chemistry of some people's skin, while silver doesn't react nearly as much – meaning a silver wound D will last a lot longer in these cases.

Affordably excellent

The characteristics which have made Thomastik-Infeld strings, especially Dominants, such a success: tuning stability, quick break-in time, warmth, tonal range and playability, equally apply to their student range, Alphayue.

The Alphayue violin strings came out in 2015 but last year Infeld released viola and cello strings to complete the range. For a long time, students had to save up for Dominants if they wanted a warmer sound and more range than the traditional steel core student strings could offer. Now there is Alphayue – as well as the Asciente range from competitors D’Addario – which costs about half the price of Dominant strings, while still being wound with aluminium and silver and featuring a synthetic core.

An additional technical breakthrough comes in the form of a new material, monel, which is apparently highly resistant to humidity and corrosion from the chemicals in sweat. Infeld uses this to coat the D and G strings, particularly in smaller string sizes, and thus improves the likely lifespan of the strings in children's hands. They are also light tension which makes them easier to play with the left hand and also puts less stress on the instrument. While they are on the brilliant rather than the warm side of the spectrum, they will nonetheless improve the playing experience for countless students.

Both sets can be purchased on the Thomasti-Infield website at www.thomastikinfeld.com, with the Peter Infeld strings costing £84.25 and the Alphayue set priced at £25.55