About Violin Strings

Violin strings are complex creations of steel, nylon and other materials that, when plucked or bowed, vibrate, causing sound waves to pass through the instrument's body and out to an audience. Different kinds of strings can have a wide variety of effects, making a violin sound brighter or softer, raucous or sweet.

String Materials

The bottoms of strings are wrapped with colored silk

In the past, violin strings were made out of sheep gut and either oiled or wound with metal coverings. Some performers still prefer gut strings, but most use more recently developed materials that last longer and stay in tune better. Today's strings are most often made out of a type of nylon called Perlon, and are wound with a variety of metal wires from silver and gold to tungsten and steel. Silk thread is used at the bottom of strings, where they are connected to small metal balls that are hooked into the violin's fine tuners or tailpiece.

Making Strings

Modern strings begin with synthetic fibers, such as Perlon. The maker twists several strands of the nylon together to create core of the string. The core is stretched and a metal wrapping is applied. Silver and gold wrappings will result in a smooth, rich sound. Steel and tungsten wrappings help create a louder sound. The strings are stretched again and the ends are wrapped in silk thread, one color for each note. The balls on the end are attached, except for the violin's E string, which ends in a wire loop.

Putting on Strings

Strings are wrapped around tuning pegs

Strings are laced through a small hole in the tuning peg and then connected to the tailpiece with the string still loose. Then the violinist turns the tuning peg, wrapping the string back over itself and winding the string from the center of the peg to the outside edge until it sounds the correct note. The strings of a violin are tuned to E, A, D and G.

Kinds of Strings

Tomastik Dominants

There are more than 30 manufacturers making strings today. A set of violin strings--one each of E, A, D and G--can range from $40 to $90, depending on the kind of strings chosen. A recent survey of strings by Richard Ward of "Strings Magazine" evaluated six gut-core, 14 synthetic-core and seven steel core strings. Ward found the following general characteristics: gut strings had a "brilliant" and "very warm" sound, particularly on older instruments. Synthetic core strings had a quicker response (faster time to sound when bowed) than gut, but did not always have the same brilliance or brightness of tone. Steel core strings were recommended for electric instruments and players who play primarily non-classical music for their durability and edgy sound.

Breaking In and Caring for Strings

Almost all new strings will go through a breaking-in period during which they will stretch a bit, even though the manufacturer has already stretched them. When playing on new strings, play them in for several hours a day at first and re-tune as often as necessary. Gut strings will especially stretch and will need to be oiled after every practice to keep them from drying out. After the first few weeks, gut strings will only need oiling once a week or so. Strings will last longer if they are cleaned after every practice by wiping off accumulated rosin with a clean dry cloth. If you are not going to play for several days or longer, loosen the strings a half-step to keep them in good shape.