How to Buy Violin Strings

A violinist needs to take care when buying strings for their instrument. Whether you play an inexpensive violin or one crafted by Stradivarius or another fine Italian maker, choose the most appropriate strings for your violin and your level of playing ability and your repertoire. Here's how to buy the best violin strings for your instrument.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Choose steel core strings if you play popular tunes. These light steel strings produce a playful tone, and give fiddle players the bright sound they need. Steel core violin strings last a long time and resist temperature changes and humidity. Use fine tuners at the violin's tailpiece with steel core strings because they lack stretch.
2. Acquire synthetic core strings if you're an established player. The man-made materials that comprise synthetic core strings mimic the quality of natural gut strings and retain flexibility after many performances. Wrapped in metallic winding, they resist high temperatures and diminish hiss. Synthetic core strings adapt to playing within days of purchase.
3. Use gut core strings for a warm sound. Buy strings made from lamb or sheep intestines for the richest violin tone. They produce elegant sounds, but take awhile to stretch and adapt to being played. These delicate, natural strings take a longer time to tune and need to be stored in a temperature-controlled environment.
4. Learn by playing nylon strings. Beginning violin players can benefit from using nylon strings wound with aluminum on the outside. These strings adapt to the violin and playing within a few days. Nylon strings emit a softer sound than metal strings, but produce a broader range of tones.
5. Buy new violin strings when the winding loosens. A wolf tone, or uncontrollable screeching sound, also indicates that it's time for new strings.