Over time, your current violin strings wear out and rust. This can lead to several challenges. For one, your instrument will look and sound dull.
Worn out strings are also harder to tune and lead to inconsistencies in intonation. If you want your violin to sound bright again, then consider equipping it with a new string set.
Not sure what the best violin strings are? We’ve got you covered. In the following guide, we’ve compiled reviews of top-rated violin strings to help you make a wise decision. Read on to learn more.
Reviews of the Best Violin Strings
1. D'Addario Helicore 4/4 Size Violin Strings
Have you been searching for the best violin strings for beginners? If you have, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better set than the D’Addario Helicore Strings.
One thing that sets them apart is that they’re made of a multi-stranded steel core. This not only helps to improve their playability but also the resulting sound. Specifically, they allow your instrument to produce a well-defined, warm tone.
Another feature that makes these Helicore strings ideal for beginner violins is the fact that they have medium tension. They’re designed to fit a 4/4 violin with a playing length of approximately 13 inches.
Pros
Cons
Though the D’Addario string set is good enough for beginners, it lacks the quality that an advanced violinist would desire for their professional violin.
Thankfully, the Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Gold Set is designed with professionals in mind.These strings boast an exceptional design, making it easy to transition from one to the next.
But where this medium gauge set really stands out is the fact that it includes two different G strings. One is wound with silver and the other gold. This gives you unparalleled flexibility as you’re able to pick one that conforms to your playing style.
The gold wound G string provides a great full-bodied tone while the silver wound one produces an ultra-bright sound.
The E string, which comes with a loop or ball end, has not been left behind either. The material used in its build provides fantastic resonance and a smooth violin sound.
Pros
Cons
Have you been searching for the best violin strings for warm sound? If you have, you can’t go wrong with the D’Addario J56 4/4M Pro-Arte Nylon Violin Strings.
The first thing you’ll notice right away is that they’re synthetic core strings. Thanks to this, you can expect the mellow sound of their gut counterparts along with the stable pitch of steel varieties.
And like most strings in our review, these ones also have medium tension. As a result, they’re able to provide the perfect blend of tonal quality and response.
Unlike other synthetic strings that take a long time to break in, these ones don’t. After the first 1 or 2 sessions, you’ll find them incredibly easy to use. Lastly, the Pro-Arte Nylon String Set comes in different sizes. So you’ll be able to find one that fits your violin snugly.
Pros
Cons
An important factor to consider when buying the best violin strings for students is playability. Thankfully, the Thomastik Dominant Strings are very easy to play and come at a price that’s hard to beat.
This is a complete set, offering players maximum value for money. To be specific, it includes a silver-wound, perlon core G string and a ball end E string with a chrome steel winding. Meanwhile, the A and D Dominant strings are wound with aluminum and have a perlon core.
If you don’t fancy steel strings, you’re sure to love the Thomastik 4/4 violin string set. This is because they produce a well-rounded, non-metallic warm tone. And since they have a nylon/ synthetic core, they’re easy to tune even in extreme climatic conditions.
Pros
Cons
Buying accessories for a stringed instrument can be a pricey affair, especially when you’re a beginner. D’Addario understands this, which is why they offer violin strings at a very affordable price point. A good example is the D’Addario Prelude Violin String Set that is in the budget range.
Despite the low pricing, these are excellent quality strings. They’re constructed with a solid steel core, resulting in a warm tone. Most importantly, these strings aren’t affected by changes in weather, reducing the need to tune them frequently.
Another feature that drew me to the D’Addario Prelude Violin String Set is the range of options available. The strings come in both full and fractional sizes, making it easy to find one that fits your violin. These sizes available are ½, ¼, ⅛, 1/16, ¾ and 4/4 violin string sets.
You’ll also have the freedom to choose your preferred string tension. Whether you’re looking for light, heavy or medium-gauge strings, D’Addario has got you covered.
Pros
Cons
Though it’s a lesser known brand, Prim is another reputable violin strings manufacturer. The Sweden-based company is quickly proving that it’s a force to be reckoned with. One of their most recommended violin strings is the Prim 4/4 Set.
The strings have medium tension, providing a great balance between responsiveness and projection. More importantly, all four Prim strings have a steel core resulting in optimal durability. Plus, they all have ball ends, making them incredibly easy to put on and take off.
Pros
Cons
If you’re hell bent on buying Pirastro strings but aren’t ready to pay a steep price, the Obligato strings are the perfect substitute.
Despite the lower pricing, this 4/4 violin string set doesn’t compromise on quality. The strings are made using a new core material that combines the best attributes of gut and synthetic strings.
To be more specific, you get the warm, complex overtones of the gut strings and the stability of the synthetic varieties.
These traits make the Obligato strings ideal for different settings. On one hand, they’re great for solo performances. On the other hand, they work pretty well for ensemble playing. Their complex sound is easy to control and allows them to blend nicely with other instruments.
Pros
Cons
Popular Violin String Combinations
The good thing about modern violin strings is that you’re not limited to buying from only one brand. Perhaps you prefer a ball end c string from D’Addario and the other strings from another brand.
If you resort to buying a combination violin strings set, pay attention to the different brands of strings. Ultimately, they should all be made by reputable companies.
This way, you don’t end up damaging the tonal quality or integrity of your high-quality instruments. That said, it’s important to note that violinists have been experimenting with string combinations for years. So there’s nothing unusual about this.
In fact, most violinists like to use an identical string for the three lower strings, then a different top string. Thus, a popular combination is Dominant A, D and G with a Pirastro E.
Types of Violin Strings
When you decide to purchase a brand new set of violin strings, the first thing you should decide is what type to get. Generally, violin strings are classified based on the materials used in their construction as follows:
Gut core
These were the very first type of violin strings to be invented. And while some allege that they’re made of catgut, they’re actually made using sheep intestines. Afterwards, they’re encased in some kind of metal, usually silver or copper.
When it comes to sound quality, these musical strings are revered for their warmer, complex tones. However, they do have a lower tension, which makes them a bit difficult to play.
For this reason, gut strings are mainly popular among professional violinists, particularly those fond of playing baroque music.
If you’re thinking of buying a gut string set, there are two limitations that you should be aware of. One is the fact that they’re pricey.
Secondly, they’re less durable than most violin strings. Unlike steel or synthetic violin strings, the gut varieties are highly susceptible to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. This increases their tendency to break and go out of tune.
Steel core
Solid steel core strings were mainly invented to provide a substitute to gut strings. As the title suggests, the core of these strings is covered using metals like steel or silver. The benefit of this is that such metals aren’t affected by changes in temperature; hence, enabling them to stay in tune.
This aspect, along with their affordability, are the primary reasons why they’re favored by beginner violinists.
Remember, learning to tune a violin is no mean feat. Fortunately, steel strings offer the stability that students need to practice- without worrying about frequently tuning their instruments.
When examining steel models, pay more attention to E strings. This particular string usually comes in one of three forms: plain, plated or wrapped steel.
Plain steel E strings have the simplest design whereas plated steel ones are coated in gold, tin or platinum. The wrapped steel comprises a chrome steel wrapping that produces a mellower sound.
But generally, steel strings lack the warmth, complex tone that a gut string provides. Instead, they produce brighter tones, making them suitable for jazz, country and bluegrass music.
Synthetic core
Synthetic core strings are the most popular option of the three, and rightly so. They blend the most admirable traits of gut and steel strings; giving you the best of both worlds. You get the warm tone of gut strings along with the pitch stability of steel strings.
One aspect that gives them an edge over gut strings is their durability. They handle temperature and humidity changes much better, making them less likely to go out of tune.
Another reason that makes synthetic core strings prominent is their playability. They’re great for playing different music genres so you won’t be limited.
How to Choose the Right Violin Strings
The core factors that you should account for when choosing violin strings are:
Type/ Materials
As mentioned earlier on, violin strings are classified based on the materials used in their construction.
This is what creates the differences between gut, steel and synthetic violin strings. Go for gut strings if you want your violin to produce a warm, rich sound. But, keep in mind that these strings might be overpriced and less durable.
Steel strings are a great option if you’re looking for stability in pitch. However, don’t expect the warmth or tonal complexity provided by gut core strings. Finally, synthetic strings are in middle ground. They aren’t too expensive, and balance well between durability and sound quality.
Gauge
Once you’ve decided the type of violin strings to get, the next factor you should consider is the gauge.
And while this descriptive word is used interchangeably with string tension, it means an entirely different thing.
The gauge is a measurement of the string’s diameter or thickness. Conversely, tension refers to the amount of horizontal force exerted on the string when stretching it.
These two factors of gauge and tension have a massive influence on your instrument’s projection and responsiveness. And based on these, violin strings are typically classified into three categories:
Light gauge
These violin strings are quite thin. Due to this, they require minimal tension to bring them to the pitch they were designed for. Light gauge strings are ideal for two key instances. One is when you want to brighten up your violin’s tone. And two, when you want a quicker response.
Medium gauge
Violin strings with medium tension are the most popular and it’s easy to see why. They strike the perfect balance between response and projection. Put simply; they provide a uniform and balanced tone and response.
Heavy gauge
These strings are thicker, calling for more tension to stretch them up to the desired pitch. The advantage of a thick-gauge string is that it provides a louder and more powerful sound. However, it has the slowest response, which makes it more difficult to play, especially for new violinists.
In summary, the thicker the violin string, the fuller (or louder) the sound produced. But, this also means that it has a slower response. On the other hand, the thinner the gauge, the lower the projection but the faster the response.
Playability
Another thing you’ll want to keep in mind is the strings’ playability and skill level. Playability refers to how well the strings respond to your bowing techniques.
For beginner violinists, the best violin strings set is one that stays in tune and responds seamlessly when you bow. This, in turn, enables you to concentrate on the most integral part which is learning how to play.
For advanced and professional violinists who’ve already mastered their playing style, it’s okay to go for something that’s a little more complex. For instance, gut strings are a superb choice for such players. They provide warmer sound, but they also require a high level of finesse and control.
Sound
Before you start shopping for violin strings, think about your current instrument. What kind of sound does it produce? Are you content with it or do you prefer strings that provide different tonal characteristics?
Getting answers to these questions can help to narrow down your options. Let’s say that your violin has been generating an overly bright tone that almost sounds shrill. In such an instance, you’ll benefit from a low tension violin string that tones down its sound.
Brand
It always helps to buy these accessories from the best violin string brands. This way, you can be sure that you’re getting quality strings. More importantly, you’re guaranteed of getting help in case anything goes wrong. Here’s a list of my favorite violin string brands:
- Piastro
- Dominant
- D’Addario
- Prim
FAQs
What strings do professional violinists use?
Most professional violinists like the Dominant range of strings.
What makes them so popular is their striking resemblance to gut strings when it comes to producing warm tones. But since they’re manufactured using a nylon core, they provide better durability and consistency.
Professional violinists also like that the E string has a ball end. This makes for more accurate and easy tuning than E strings with a loop end.
Do violin strings make a difference?
The answer to this is a resounding yes. Violin strings make a huge difference not only to the sound produced but other aspects too.
Specifically, they affect your violin’s playability, volume of sound and responsiveness. There’s also the fact that some violin strings are designed for specific music genres. For instance, steel core strings are preferred for country, jazz, bluegrass music and other non-classical genres.
On the other hand, synthetic core and gut strings are better suited for orchestral and classical styles of music.
How do I choose violin strings?
There are several points you should consider when selecting violin strings. As mentioned earlier, the main ones are:
- Type - here, you’ll need to decide whether to go for synthetic, steel or gut strings
- Gauge - this refers to the diameter of the violin strings. It determines their responsiveness and projection of the resulting sound.
- Music genre - don’t forget to consider your favorite style of music. This is because some strings are better suited for certain genres more than others.
- Skill level - ideally, you should go for a string combination that makes your learning curve easier. The violin strings you buy should also be within your budget. For instance, if you’re a beginner student, then you shouldn’t pay a ton of money for your first strings’ set.
Do professional violinists use gut strings?
Yes, they do. In fact, most professional violinists prefer gut core strings because of their warm and rich sound.
One other reason why the pros like gut strings is because of their unique elasticity. They’re able to remain soft and pliable without losing their tension the way synthetic strings do.
What are violin strings made of?
Violin strings are made from one of three materials: gut core, synthetic core or steel core. Each type has its fair share of advantages and drawbacks so be sure to compare them before making a decision. Check out our article on what violins made of, for even more detail.
How many strings on a violin?
A standard violin has four strings namely: E, A, D & G. However, it’s not unusual to find one that has fewer than four or more than five strings. For instance, the pocket fiddle or “pochette”, only has three strings.
How much do violin strings cost?
The prices of violin strings vary widely depending on the manufacturer and materials used in their construction. Some go for as little as $20. Others, however, have prices that hover around the $200 mark.
How to string a violin E string
Wondering how to install your steel e string? Well, the process is surprisingly simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you:
- Start by removing the old string
- Next, apply a bit of lubricant on the tuning peg
- Lubricate the violin bridge and nut as well - this will allow the new string to pass through these sections easily
- The next step involves threading the E string into the peg and winding it
- Attach it to the tailpiece and you’re pretty much done!
Conclusion
Have you been searching for the best violin strings? If you have, then you should check out the D’Addario Helicore 4/4 violin string set. They contain a multi-stranded steel core to enhance their durability. Better yet, each string in the set has a ball end providing an easier tuning process.
Another reason why I consider this the best violin string set is its affordability. Plus, you’ll have the freedom to pick your preferred tension; be it light, medium or heavy.
