| Line | Rondo Gold |
| Instrument | Viola |
| Size | 4/4 |
| Gauge | medium |
| Supplied as | Set and single strings |
| Item number | ST-RG200-SET44 |
The construction of the string (string length, tension, cross section, material properties) keeps its overtones close to the harmonic series; the higher partials lie only fractionally above the exact multiples of the fundamental. In wound strings this is achieved by the composite design of a thin, flexible core with one or more windings of metal ribbon or wire, which puts a lot of mass on the string with little bending stiffness.
A string tuned to the same pitch on the same string length carries proportionally more mass per metre (linear mass density) when it is under higher tension.
Under the bow the travelling kink of the Helmholtz motion (the string sticks to the bow hair and slips back) stays sharp on the flexible string, and the bridge receives a sawtooth force that contains every overtone of the fundamental.
Because viola body lengths today range from 38 to 40.5 cm, most often 39 cm, viola sets are also made for individual body sizes in inches.
A C string wound with tungsten (19,300 kg/m³) carries the same mass per metre on a smaller diameter than one wound with silver (10,500 kg/m³).
The RG200 set combines the A string RG21 in carbon steel with chrome and a removable ball, the D string RG22A with synthetic core and silver chrome, the G string RG23 with synthetic core and silver, and the C string RG24 with synthetic core and tungsten silver; it suits vibrating lengths of 35.5 to 39.0 cm. The maker does not publish a set tension; the single values of the four strings add up to about 25.8 kg. It thus sits in the same range as Alphayue, Dominant Pro, Dynamo, Peter Infeld and Rondo at 25.4 to 25.6 kg, though their figures are published set figures and our sum is a calculated one; the differences between these sets lie in core and winding.
For us, Rondo Gold is the warm, golden premium set among the eight Thomastik viola lines we compare. It speaks very directly and quickly, answers finely to bow pressure and carries from pianissimo to fortissimo. We recommend it above all on violas that sound matt and would like more shine and stronger lows.
If a viola is looking above all for openness and brilliant highs, we recommend Rondo or Dominant. And a sensitive or older instrument that should carry little pull finds the gentler partner in Dominant at 20.7 kg.
The winding adds mass to the string without making it stiff. On the same string length a low note at similar tension needs a much higher linear mass density, and the metal of the winding supplies it.
From 440 Hz to 442 Hz, as many orchestras tune today, tension rises by about 0.9 per cent, and to 445 Hz by about 2.3 per cent.
At A = 440 Hz and pure fifths they are about 130.4 Hz (C), 195.6 Hz (G), 293.3 Hz (D) and 440 Hz (A).
Violas are built with very different body lengths, 38 to 40.5 cm being usual. A set that matches the instrument's vibrating length sits with its winding in the right place over nut and bridge.
There is no official set figure; the four single values add up to about 25.8 kg.
For vibrating lengths from 35.5 to 39.0 cm.
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