There no underestimating the importance of making sure you have the best violin strings installed on your violin. Even if you have a terrific violin with premium tone woods and materials, the sound will suffer with substandard violin strings. You need the best strings when you buy a new violin, or when it’s time to replace your current strings.

When to Replace Your Violin Strings

Obviously, you can change your violin strings at any time. Some violinists immediately change the installed violin strings on a new violin, preferring to put in strings that are more familiar to them. Others may want to change violin strings as a way to vary the sound produced by their violin, or maybe to expand their violin-playing skills.

But there’s a time when your current violin strings are no longer as good as you need them to be, and you have to change them. Violin strings can last longer when you take good care of them, which is why it’s important that you always use a lint-free cloth to wipe off the rosin from the strings after every time you play. But even then, strings may wear out over time.

Here are some signs that may indicate that it’s the optimal time to change your violin strings:

You’ve Been Using Your Current Violin Strings a Long While Now

True, “a long while” can mean different things for different people. Some violinists find that they need to replace their strings as often as every two months. Others can last an entire year on a single set of strings before they need to replace them.

The actual replacement frequency depends on several factors. These include how often you play, but you may start replacing violin strings once you’ve used them for a total of 300 hours. That’s a good baseline to start with.

However, you may have to adjust that number lower (meaning you replace the strings sooner) if you live in a wet climate or if your fingers sweat a lot. Moisture hastens the lifespan of violin strings.

You Notice That the Sound Quality Has Worsened

This is definitely the right time to replace the strings. Unfortunately, it’s not really easy to notice that the sound quality of the strings has deteriorated. Often this deterioration occurs too slowly, so you may notice it yourself. But if you do notice it, then it’s really time for a change. 

For better result, you can try new violin bows to which is suitable with your strings.

The Strings Don’t Maintain Their Tuning

For new violins or new strings, it’s normal for strings—even the good ones—to maintain their tuning right away. The strings have to settle first.

But when the tuning has settled, the strings won’t then require tuning as frequently. But when the strings again require more frequent tuning, there may be a need to replace the strings.

It’s not definitive, though. The problem may actually be with the adjustment of the pegs or the bridge. Check the violin with a local luthier to diagnose the problem correctly.

You’ve Progressed in Your Skills

Beginners tend to use the most playable strings, so that they can first master the basic lessons. But when they become better, they may require new strings (or a new types of strings) to help them develop further in their skills. The new strings may also offer a better sound, which rewards your improved skills.

Factors to Consider

It’s not always easy to find the best violin strings on your own, however. That’s why, if you’re still learning, your best bet is to consult the violin experts you know. This usually means asking for violin string recommendations from your violin teacher, more experienced violin players in your social circles, or your local luthier.

It can be annoying, though, when different people give you varying opinions as to which violin strings are best for you. So how do you pick the best violin strings? There’s no simple answer to this that can satisfy everyone. There are types of strings to consider, and other factors such as gauge and tension.

Types of Strings

This is the first decision you need to make when you’re picking violin strings. You have 3 main options to choose from, and each offers a different set of features. These different types have different materials used for the cores of the violin strings.

Gut Core

This is the original design, as the violin has been around for several centuries now. The first of these strings were actually made with sheep intestines, and strings with similar cores are still around. Nowadays, they’re either pure unwound gut, or the string has metals wound around the gut core.

Quite a few people still like this traditional design because the tonal quality is rich and warm, while the sound is colorful and complex with lots of overtones. These strings offer lower tension, so the strings are more pliable for your fingers.

The response is a bit slower, though, and you may have to finesse the violin sound when using the bow. You also may have to tune the strings more frequently, especially when you play and the temperature suddenly changes. That means more frequent tuning when you generally perform with hot stage lights.

Steel Core

The steel core strings were introduced in the early 1900s, and they quickly became quite popular. Today, these strings aren’t really the favored strings of classical violinists. But they’re great for other types of music, such as when you play the violin for bluegrass, jazz, and country music. They’re also great for rock and alternative music. If you have a well-adjusted violin with steel core strings, the resulting sound is often edgy and it really cuts through.

Some newbies also prefer this simply because they’re generally more affordable. These strings also give you a very quick response, and the sound is nicely focused and bright. You also get nice pitch stability, which spares you from too frequent tuning.

On the other hand, the tone is quite simple without too much complexity and depth. This is the main reason why classical violinists aren’t generally fans of this type.

Synthetic Core

The Thomastik-Infeld brand introduced the synthetic core for violin strings when they launched the Dominant strings in 1970. The cores of these strings were made with a special type of nylon called Perlon, and it became an overnight success.

Many regarded it as superior, since it managed to combine the advantages of gut and steel cores. The sound is similar to the tone you get from the gut core strings. The tone is more focused, and the pitch is more stable than in the gut core strings. However, some say that there are fewer complex overtones.

Since the turn of the 21^st century, newer strings have combined various synthetic materials, resulting in varied composite cores. Some of these newer composite synthetic cores offer sophisticated tonal overtones and characteristics.

Gauge and Tension

You also need to make sure that your violin strings match the size of the violin for which they were intended. If you have a full-sized 4/4 violin, you can’t use a set of violin strings meant for a ½ -size violin,

After that, you need to pick the gauge and tension of the strings. The gauge and tension factors are interrelated, so much so that sometimes people just use the separate terms interchangeable. But technically, these are distinct.

The gauge (sometimes spelled as gage) refers to the thickness of the strings.

The tension, on the other hand, refers to the amount of force that stretches the string. The level of the tension is affected by the weight of the string (per unit of length), the type of metals wound around the core, the vibrating length of the string, and the note pitched produced by the string.

But when picking strings, these two factors are often combined together. When strings are offered in different tensions or gauges (light, medium, or heavy), it generally refers to the overall gauge and tension combination.

Light Tension

This type may also be called “thin gauge” strings, and sometimes the brand may call these strings soft, weich, or dolce. In general, this just means the strings are thinner and less tension is needed.

You want light tension or light gauge strings if you’re a newbie, as the light tension is gentler and easier for your hand. You can also brighten up the sound quality with new light tension strings if you have a naturally dark or heavy sound quality.

However, you do run the risk of producing sounds that are overly bright, tinny, or shrill.

Medium Tension

Also called medium gauge or mittel, this is generally the most popular type of tension or gauge. In most cases, the tone is balanced and even, and it offers nice responsiveness. Keep in mind, however, that what’s “medium tension” for one brand may not offer the same tension and gauge level as what you get with another brand.

When you’re buying new strings that you haven’t played before, it’s best to go with the medium gauge first. You can then change to the light gauge or the heavy tension, depending on your preference or the quality of the resulting sound.

Heavy Tension

Also referred to high tension or heavy gauge, you can switch to this type of strings when the medium gauge strings still sound too bright and shrill for you. This will also boost the volume level and create a more powerful sound.

Just keep in mind that this type of string is harder to play, so it’s not exactly meant for newbies. These strings are also less responsive. If your high or heavy tension strings sound a bit dull, you may want to switch to a medium tension set of strings instead.

Best Violin Strings Reviews

In a hurry? Check the Best Violin Strings from Amazon. 

Product Name		Rating & Highlighted Features		Price
D’Addario Prelude Violin String Set		Won’t mind changes in the temperature and humidity
Thomastik Peter Infeld 4/4 Violin Strings Set with Platinum E		Excellent sound projection
Thomastik Dominant 4/4 Violin String Set – Medium Gauge – Steel Ball-End E		Very reliable
Thomastik-Infeld 135 Dominant Violin Strings, Complete Set, 135, 4/4 Size, with Aluminum Wound Ball End E String		Balanced sound
Stravilio Full Set High Quality Violin Strings Size 4/4 & 3/4 Violin Strings, G D A & E		Very economical
Pirastro Gold Label 4/4 Violin E String – Medium – Steel – Ball End		Great for those who normally hate high and squeaky E strings
Cecilio 4 Packs of Stainless Steel 4/4-3/4 Violin Strings Set (Total 16 Strings)		Extremely affordable
Jiaoguo 3 Packs Full Set Replacement Stainless Steel 4/4 Size Violin Strings E A D G		Easy to install
JSI Special 4/4 Violin String Set: Gold Label Ball-End E & Dominant A, D, and G Strings – Medium Gauge		Mix and match of strings from different brands
D’Addario Helicore 4/4 Size Violin Strings 4/4 Size Set with Steel E String		Versatile and great for different genres

Of course, you can just check out our recommendations as well. We’ve picked 2 excellent samples to choose from, and both are well-suited for those who are still starting their journey in the world of the violin. These strings can provide you with the great sound you’re looking for, while they also help you develop your violin-playing skills.

You will have to check out the price like any responsible consumer. You just need to make sure that you don’t use the price as the only factor you consider when picking the best violin strings for your instrument.

You can always go for the cheaper brands, but the main problem with this simplistic approach is that you have a very good chance of ending up with substandard violin strings. It’s a consumer truism that you have to pay more for quality.

It’s frustrating, though, that a higher price tag doesn’t necessarily mean that the violin strings are actually all that good. So, you can’t simply pick an expensive set of violin strings and assume that it will be the best for you.

Our top 2 choices come in 2 different price points, but they both offer good value for your money.

D’Addario Prelude Violin String Set  

If you’re a newbie and you ask your violin teacher for any recommendations regarding the strings for your beginner or intermediate strings, it’s very likely that their list of their recommendations will include the D’Addario Prelude violin strings. In fact, in most cases, this is the set of strings they’ll mention first.

The D’Addario brand is justly famous, with more than 3,000 musical artists endorsing the use of their strings. They’ve been around since the D’Addario family started their business in Italy way back in the 1860s. It wasn’t a coincidence that they started out as shepherds, who then used the sheep and hog intestines to create strings for violins, guitars, harps, and lutes.

The family transferred to the US in 1905 and continued the business, and they now use advanced computer technology to produce their strings. These strings are all designed and manufactured in the US, and complies with the most stringent US quality control standards.

This D’Addario Prelude model sets the standard for the best violin strings you can get for beginner and intermediate violins. It’s no coincidence that most of the best beginner violins already comes with D’Addario Prelude strings.

With the D’Addario Prelude, you get terrific value for your money. They’re very affordable, but they also offer a warm tone and long-lasting durability. They comply with the standards set by most violin teachers.

These strings are great even with changes in the humidity and temperature, as they remain unaffected by these factors. The strings are designed to last even with constant use. These work very well with newbies picking up the violin for the first time, up to the time they become good enough to join the local high school or community orchestra, or even local country or bluegrass bands.

We went with the usual 4/4 strings, which meant the strings are 13 inches long. We also opted for the standard medium tension level, which works nicely for most violins and for players in all playing levels. These prelude strings are very easy to bow, which also helps.

They’re also easy to set on the violin, even for newbies trying to do it on their own. You’ll find clear markings on the strings to help you string your violin properly. Once that’s done, tuning the strings is easy as well

This set of violin strings is also made using solid steel for the core. This uses an alloy that helps make sure the pitch remains consistent, helping students by not bothering them with the need for constant retuning.

This is what produces the warmest sound you’ll get among most violin strings, and it also helps with the durability. It also comes with the sealed pouches with a unique design that helps the strings last a good long while. Since these are all made in the US, you won’t have to worry about lax quality control standards, either.

Here, the bow response is right smack in the middle, between too slow and too fast. The tone is much more focused, so it’s not your ideal set of strings if you’re looking for much more colorful tones.  You get nice projection here, so that when you perform for an audience (even if they’re just friends and family), they can all hear your wonderful notes. The feel of the strings is also more on the firm side, rather than on the flexible side.

Pros

• Highly regarded and recommended by most violin teachers
• Great for constant practice
• Won’t mind changes in the temperature and humidity
• Easy to put in
• Nice medium bow response
• Great sound projection
• Maintains pitch 
• Very affordable
• Trusted brand name

Cons

• Not really meant for more advanced violinists
• Doesn’t give you more colorful tones

Thomastik Peter Infeld 4/4 Violin Strings Set with Platinum E

If there’s a brand name that’s often mentioned with D’Addario, it’s the Thomastik-Infeld brand. The brand was founded in Vienna in 1919, and this is the brand that introduced the steel core strings to the industry back in 1950. They’ve been among the top brands ever since, especially when they released the now famous Dominant strings.

But here we put in the terrific Peter Infeld strings, mostly known as just the PI strings. We went with the usual 4/4 size with the medium tension, and found out just how terrific these strings are. These strings cost a lot more (about 4 times more) than the D’Addario Prelude strings, but they still offer great value for your money. Lots of people use the word “great” for these strings, and so we’re not alone in that respect.

The sound here is somewhat more focused, but the sound still remains powerful and rich. The quality is head and shoulders above most of the strings in the industry, and a lot of professional violinists (and serious amateurs) swear by these strings. The responsiveness is also quite immediate. Yes, the tension may be relatively high when compared to other high-end strings, but most of the time the tension doesn’t feel all that high at all.

They’re also excellent when it comes to maintaining the pitch and avoiding too frequent retuning. Even if your playing style involves a lot of chord-mashing, the strings keep their pitch even after 2 months of frenetic use. You’re also able to project your sound nicely.

The strings aren’t really all that expensive, since you’re still in the 2-digit price range. In fact, the overall price here is actually on the affordable side. That is, the quality of the strings match what you’d get with much more expensive violin strings.

If we’re nitpicking, then perhaps the only drawback here is that the strings do lose a little bit of its quality slowly over several months. It happens very gradually, and you’ll notice it only when you get a new set of these PI strings after 3 months or so. Then you’d notice a sudden jump in the quality of the sound again.

Once you’ve gotten past the beginner stage, you really should check if your new violin can match up well with these PI strings. Despite the higher costs compared to the Prelude, you really get your money’s worth.

Pros

• Fantastic sound with great depth
• Excellent sound projection
• Very responsive
• Maintains the pitch nicely

Cons

• Relatively pricey (compared to strings for newbies)
• Loses its quality over 3 months of constant use

Other Violin Strings to Consider

Thomastik Dominant 4/4 Violin String Set – Medium Gauge – Steel Ball-End E

This is a full set of medium gauge strings with a synthetic core. It’s meant for a 4/4 violin. Your purchase includes:

• All Ball-End Aluminum/Perlon A
• Aluminum/Perlon D
• Silver/Perlon G
• Ball-End Steel E

This is a very popular choice among synthetic strings. The multi-strand nylon core is very flexible, and it produces a sound you may mistake for the sound that natural gut makes. It feels natural too.

Pros

• A favorite of teachers and students
• Beautiful sound that encourages students
• Very reliable

Cons

• Takes a while to break in
• A bit pricey for newbies

Thomastik-Infeld 135 Dominant Violin Strings, Complete Set, 135, 4/4 Size, with Aluminum Wound Ball End E String

At first, these strings (yes, it’s a complete set of 4 strings) don’t look like much. They even look a bit dull, so you may be afraid they would sound dull as well. But simply wiping the strings with cotton cloth solves the problem.

The sound is actually quite balanced, and the tone is wonderful. These work well enough as backup strings, but they’re of good quality. Newbies love these strings, since they need all the help they can get to sound better.

Tuning is an issue, though. You may need to retune the strings after only a few days, but that’s actually normal. But you have to be careful about tuning the strings as they snap very easily.

Pros

• Balanced sound
• Nice tone

Cons

• More frequent retuning

Stravilio Full Set High Quality Violin Strings Size 4/4 & 3/4 Violin Strings, G D A & E

This is another set that quite a few teachers recommend for their students. These are made with a steel core, along with ball end. It’s great that it comes with an extra string as well.

As it only costs about ¼ of the price of the Dominant strings on the list, this work well enough as backup strings. They’ll work in a pinch.

But they’re also great for beginners who are still trying to master the basics of tuning their violins. They stay in tune for 2 or 3 days, which is normal. For the price, the tone is actually quite nice.

Just keep in mind that if you’re an intermediate or professional player, you won’t even consider these strings. These are strictly for absolute beginners.

Pros

• Very economical
• Performs adequately
• Sounds nice for the price

Cons

• The sound isn’t good enough for more advanced violinists

Pirastro Gold Label 4/4 Violin E String – Medium – Steel – Ball End

This doesn’t cost much at all, since you don’t get a full set. This is simply a replacement string if you break your E string in your 4/4 violin. It’s a medium gauge string made with plain steel and a ball end.

The good news is that even if you buy this E string separately, it works well enough with lots of violin string sets. It’s one of the reasons why it’s so popular. In fact, it’s a favorite among a lot of players who play in an orchestra. You get an impressive volume level and a full sound.

Pros

• Great for those who normally hate high and squeaky E strings
• Works with Dominant and other strings
• Plays loud with full sound

Cons

• You’ll still need to be careful when you mount this

Cecilio 4 Packs of Stainless Steel 4/4-3/4 Violin Strings Set (Total 16 Strings)

When you don’t want to keep buying replacement violin strings, just get this package. You get 4 sets of 4 strings each, so you’re ready to go for a good long while. You get the steel core with the ball end with the strings.

It’s easy enough to tune these strings, especially with an electronic tuner. The sound is quite decent, and the strings hold their tune nicely. That’s a surprise, considering the extremely low price of each set. The strings don’t even need any sort of break in.

Pros

• Great sound for newbies
• Extremely affordable
• Easy to tune
• No need to break them in

Cons

• The steel core may offer a sound that’s a wee bit too tinny

Jiaoguo 3 Packs Full Set Replacement Stainless Steel 4/4 Size Violin Strings E A D G

It’s another set of stainless-steel strings, with a very low price. With the 3 sets here, it should be a while before you need to buy another set of new strings.

As the price indicates, this is meant for students. Each string is labeled so newbies can put these on more easily. The sound is adequate enough, and newbies may even find it crystal clear.

Pros

• 3 sets
• Very affordable
• Clear sound
• Easy to install

Cons

• Not meant for intermediate students

JSI Special 4/4 Violin String Set: Gold Label Ball-End E & Dominant A, D, and G Strings – Medium Gauge

This is a set of medium gauge strings for the 4/4 violin. You get:

• All Ball-End Pirastro Gold Label Plain Steel E
• Thomastik Dominant Aluminum Wound Perlon Core A
• Thomastik Dominant Aluminum Wound Perlon Core D
• Thomastik Dominant Silver Wound Perlon Core G

Basically, JSI made the effort to create their own set using different brands, based on their 30 years of experience. Based on how popular these sets are, they’ve succeeded. Now you don’t have to settle for a single brand, and you’re able to get a nice combo of strings from a variety of sets.

The resulting sound is great especially for beginners, who won’t know how to mic and match strings on their own. Many who have tried this say that the set improved the sound of their violin immensely.

Pros

• Mix and match of strings from different brands
• Great sound improvement for violins

Cons

• A bit expensive

D’Addario Helicore 4/4 Size Violin Strings 4/4 Size Set with Steel E String

With the Helicore from D’Addario, you have a multi-strand steel core, giving you that warm yet clear tone while permitting easy play. The strings are nicely flexible, and the fast bow response makes the strings suitable for a wide range of musical genres.

These are also great replacement strings because they settle very quickly. With the price, it’s not quite meant for newbies. But they’re great for more advanced players who like to experiment with different types of music.

Pros

• Versatile and great for different genres
• Clear and warm tone
• Nice playability
• Fast bow response
• Quick settling time

Cons

• Somewhat expensive for beginners

Best Violin Strings: Conclusion

We listed only 2 violin strings here, but then these 2 sets offer your money’s worth and more.

Start with the D’Addario Prelude, since they’re the most popularly recommended by violin teachers. They’re excellent and long-lasting, and they’ll serve your needs even as you reach the intermediate stage.

Once you’ve gotten really serious with the violin, buy a nice violin and match it up with the PI strings from Thomastik-Infeld. Lots of serious musicians loudly recommend these strings, and we join them in telling you that they’re worth the expense.