Violin strings are an essential part of the instrument. They give your violin the unique vibration that will resonate to the quality of sound you hear when playing.
There are many fabrics and options to choose from when it comes to outfitting your violin. We have put together a list of the best violin strings available, and break down each option so that you can decide which string is the one for you and your style of play.
Our Top 3 Picks
- D'Addario Prelude Violin String Set, 4/4 Scale, Medium Tension
Our rating- Very easy to tune up
- Price: See Here
- Full Set High Quality Violin Strings 4/4 & 3/4
Our rating- Various sizes
- Price: See Here
- The JSI Special 4/4 Violin String Set
Our rating- Strong and flexible
- Price: See Here
1. D’Addario Prelude Violin String Set, 4/4 Scale, Medium Tension
D’Addario provides one of the best violin string options. They are popular with educators and professional violinists, as they create the most diverse and professional sound for learning players, as well as experienced players.
The D’Addario Prelude strings set has a solid steel core to create the warmest sound possible, for the most expressive and diverse playing style. The D’Addario Prelude Violin String Set is also much more durable, so they needn’t be replaced as much as other string sets available. The 4/4 scale of the D’Addario Prelude Violin String Set gives a 13” playing length, so you can trim and tune the violin strings with plenty of room and ease.
The strings are also very easy to tune up and down a few steps if the player decides they want to transpose their music or if they like to play their music in a different way. This creates a much more versatile style of play with the D’Addario Prelude Violin String Set, 4/4 Scale, Medium Tension.
2. Full Set High Quality Violin Strings 4/4 & 3/4
These Full Set High Quality Violin Strings fit both 4/4 and ¾ violin sizes, with plenty of room for tuning so you can clip your strings to your own preference, so they are perfect for players with multiple violins. They are made with a steel core and wound nickel, and have a ball end to make restringing as easy and fiddle-free as possible. The strings come in standard sizes but can be tuned up or down, depending on the player’s preference.
There are half size and full-size options, so you can decide for yourself just how long you would like the strings to be during tuning. The strings are also easy to tune up and down steps if the player wishes, so the Full Set High Quality Violin Strings 4/4 & ¾ provide a much more versatile style of play than other strings.
3. JSI Special 4/4 Violin String Set
The JSI Special 4/4 Violin String Set carries notes E through to G for standard tuning, but are strong enough to be tuned up or down if the player chooses to play this way. They have a medium gauge, forming a warm and versatile sound for expressive play for both experienced and beginner players, as they allow the player to improve and progress.
The JSI Special 4/4 Violin String Set has a synthetic core with metal windings, so they are strong and durable, whilst still creating a beautiful sound. The synthetic core makes the JSI Special 4/4 Violin String Set much stronger, more flexible, and much more versatile than other, metal cored strings, which is perfect for beginner players, and those who tune their violin up and down quite frequently, as they do not stretch or require restringing often.
4. Artisan’s Violin Strings
The Artisan’s Violin Strings create bright, warm musical tones, and are the best violin strings for beginners to hear themselves through the best quality sound as they play, as this allows players to progress relative to the sound. The playing style is also great for more professional players because they have beautiful music notes for expressive and emotional plying style. The stainless steel core provides the Artisan’s Violin Strings with a greater strength, and also needs less tuning than other types of strings. They are able to fit ¾ and 4/4 violin sizes, so they are great for those with numerous violins of different sizes.
There are different options that Artisan’s sell with different numbers of strings and different tuning options, so there are plenty of options for those who play many different styles of music.
5. D’Addario J56 4/4M Pro-Arte Nylon Strings
D’Addario has made another excellent selection of strings with the D’Addario J56 4/4M Pro-Arte Nylon Strings. The synthetic materials create a much more mellow, but still warm tone to the music, and they are much more durable and resistant to heat and humidity chambers. They are much more durable to metal strings because they do not break as quickly with the synthetic core. They fit a 4/4 violin and come in a length of 13”, however there are options for a varying scale of violin scales and sizes. The strength of the D’Addario J56 4/4M Pro-Arte Nylon Strings allows player to tune violins up and down different steps without risk of the strings breaking. They are perfect for both beginner and experienced players, as they create a wider variation of options of play.
6. Pirastro Tonica 4/4 Violin String Set
The Pirastro Tonica 4/4 Violin String Set is another set of synthetic strings, which provide a wide variety of options to the player. The synthetic core gives the Pirastro Tonica 4/4 Violin String Set a greater strength than metal strings, which give them a heightened flexibility and stretch, so they can be tuned to any specification the user requires.
The Pirastro Tonica 4/4 Violin String Set are developed with the most modern manufacturing techniques and are put under strict quality control, so each set is guaranteed to last longer, and still create a warm and bright sound to the playing. The flexibility and durability is perfect for younger, less experienced players, as they can take a much harder style of play than some metal versions. The Pirastro Tonica 4/4 Violin String Set is also available in many different variations of string tuning and scale size, so they are available for any level of player.
7. D’Addario Prelude Violin String Set for 1/8th Scale Violins
The D’Addario Prelude Violin String Set for 1/8th scale size violins has a steel core for durability, and create a warmer sound than synthetic violin strings. D’Addario are very popular with educators and professionals because they give the most realistic and warm style of play for beginners and those who are learning the instrument. The D’Addario Prelude Violin String Set fit with a ¾ scale violin, but also come in many other sizes, so you can be sure to get a size that perfectly fits your violin.
The D’Addario Prelude Violin String Set is strong and durable, so can be tuned up or down to fit all sizes of violins, from young beginners to more professional, versatile needs.
8. Thomasik-Infeld VI100 Vision Violin Strings
Thomasik-Infeld VI100 Vision Violin Strings are used by professionals, educators, and students around the world, and have a synthetic core for increased durability and flexibility, which makes them the best violin strings for younger players. The Thomasik-Infeld VI100 Vision Violin Strings can be tuned up and down no matter how the player prefers their tuning or transposes their music.
9. Thomastik Dominant 4/4 Violin String Set
The Thomastik Dominant Violin String Set,Medium Guage is a popular option among all players at any level of playing ability. These strings provide that smooth, warm tone we all love. You’ll love the quality of these sturdy strings instantly. Keep in mind, as with all strings, they need to break in to warm up completely.
Pay careful attention to your setup, especially the alignment of the bridge. Be sure the E-string sleeve stays over the tailpiece area and not as much on the fingerboard.This will keep the “whistling sound” some players notice when first playing with these strings.
10. Cecilio Stainless Steel 4-Pack 4/4
The Cecilio Stainless Steel 4-Pack 4/4 includes four strings in each pack in the standard pitches, but the steel core and nickel winding allows players to move the tuning up or down a few steps to suit the player’s preference. The Cecilio Stainless Steel 4-Pack 4/4 also features a ball end in order to help the player to restring and tune their violin with little issue or fiddly parts. They use the same gauge of strings as a ¾ scale violin, so they can be used for many different violins in many different sizes.
Final Notes On Buying New Violin Strings
Stings are a vital part of the violin, and you should always take into account how easy they are to tune into the violin, and how versatile the strings are in how they can be tuned. You should also factor in how flexible they are for the younger players. Materials are also an important factor to think about, as metal strings will create a warmer, more expressive music, yet synthetic materials are much more durable and flexible over time.
There are many options for finding your favorite and the best violin strings for your style of playing in the above list. Many have their own great qualities for different players. It is important to know which options are right for you. Fortunately, violin strings are relatively inexpensive. It’s not a bad idea to try a two or three types too see, feel, and hear the difference. With some guidance and continued experience, you’ll grow and come to find your favorite brand and set of strings for your instrument for a long time to come.