Pirastro Eudoxa-Stiff Violin String, D

Pros: Eudoxa Rigid D is a very balanced D. Not too loud, more focused and clear that colorful. Its biggest asset is that it matches so perfectly with the Rigid D, that it's almost impossible to notice the crossing of those strings. This string requires a good bowing and is sensitive about the attack. If not done properly, the note comes out creaky. This, which some would regard as negative, it is something that I value positively... It teaches in a natural way to use more bow and to perfect the angle and strength. To those with problems of tension in the wrist and right arm issues, I recommend to spend time with this D, and everything will come to you naturally.

Cons: Like all gut, it took more than one week to stretch completely. In the case of this Rigid D, the first three days (when it was still not stretched enough), the higher positions were absolutely dead and the general sound was bad. Because of it I took it off and went back to a previous D (Tzigane). However I decided to be more patient and put it back and yes, after a couple of days, the string came to live and now my satisfaction is complete. So... Patience.

Other: Everybody knows that gut strings take longer to settle and are sensitive to humidity and temperature, but I think that those statements are overrated. Tuning gut is a lot easier than synthetic. They answer to the peg smoothly and you can tune back in 2 seconds. Expect the string to take from one to two weeks to stretch, and after that to retune (a couple of seconds) when taking the instrument out of the case. When coming from a hot and humid street to the air conditioned and drier room, they will go sharper, and when coming from cold and dry to hot and humid, they will go flatter. Remember to rub them with your hand (to warm them) some 20 seconds before playing and they will stay in tune along the performance. In exchange for that small preparation, they will give you a better tone and longer playing live than any other synthetic counterpart.