WARCHAL Timbre

violin and viola strings

Timbre strings for violin and viola are the premium strings of the WARCHAL range and their newest development. 

The best strings that WARCHAL have designed available only from luthiers.

Not sure about your set-up or how to install strings without damaging them? Use the complimentary fitting service provided by our stockists. 

Instead of searching for strings online, spend a few minutes in a violin making workshop. The environment and smell is inspiring. Get knowledgeable advice about choosing strings to suit your tonal and playing preferences. Have your instruments checked at the same time.

We deliver Timbre strings luthiers straight and not coiled so that you can enjoy them at their optimum quality.

If your luthier or repairer doesn't stock WARCHAL Timbre strings, then please let them know that ordering from us is simple. Please ask them to contact us and we will be happy to help.

Timbre Violin Strings

What qualities will Timbre bring to your violin?

The G string offers the greater range of overtones that we admire in old Italian instruments. It gives you both depth and brilliance at the same time. This is why it is suitable for almost every violin.

The D string projects well and responds clearly at every dynamic. Hydronalium is used in the first winding but not in the outer winding. This means that there isn't a problem with corrosion caused by perspiration. The set is well balanced and there is no drop in projection on the D string.

You can choose from two different A strings. The synthetic A gives improved tone and response. The metal version combines the best qualities of the Warchal metal A string line, namely the Russian A and Avantgarde. There is a short helix in the bowed area similar that found in Warchal helix E strings.

The E string utilises Warchal's legendary helix invention that makes the tone warmer and prevents whistling. The tension is precisely balanced to provide both playability and projection.

Timbre Viola Strings

Timbre for viola launched in March 2023. Currently the set is fully synthetic and a metal A string is in development. Please contact us or your local luthier if you are interested in Timbre viola (or violin) strings.

Timbre viola strings are available in one scale for now.

Medium Vibrating Length 14“ – 15“  (36 – 38 cm)

Please note that Warchal don‘t state body size but vibrating string length. For instruments with exactly 38 cm vibrating length they advise choosing their medium size viola strings.

To avoid damaging strings it is essential that Warchal viola string sizes are chosen according to the vibrating string length of your instrument and not its body length.

 The vibrating string length is the distance between the bridge and the nut. They find that the majority of violas have a Medium vibrating string length.

Warchal Timbre Bowing

String Break-in Time

Though WARCHAL have tried their best to give you a short string break-in time, they also need your help to enable the strings to reach their ultimate sound quality.  

After fitting Timbre strings, play for 10 minutes using moderate dynamics. You may need to retune your strings several (6-8) times during this time.

Check the bridge angle is correct and adjust it carefully if needed, retuning afterwards.

 If you find the sound of the W-Core G, D and A strings is warm but a little dull, or lacking in power and brilliance, then this can quickly be changed.

Play four full strokes of the bow on each string close to the bridge using a fortissimo dynamics. Use a slightly slanting but not tilted bowing angle as shown in the diagram.

The ideal bow speed when doing this is about 2-3 seconds for each full stroke. Use a bold fortissimo that is louder and perhaps harsher than you might use when performing on stage. It only takes a few seconds. Retune again.

You're now able to enjoy almost all of the sound quality of the WARCHAL Timbre strings. You will need to retune slightly over the course of the next few hours. Full tone quality is reached within about three hours of playing.

 String Care

To keep your Timbre strings responding at their best make sure that you regularly clean your strings of any rosin build up.

Never use liquid cleaners to clean WARCHAL strings.

Cleaning regularly with a microfibre cloth is all that is needed. If you find that the rosin dust has become fused to the string then use a plastic card such as a credit card to scratch it off gently.

WARCHAL Violin Strings

WARCHAL Viola Strings

WARCHAL Cello Strings