VIolin Strings Cost
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The Cost of Violin Strings

Last Updated on December 12, 2022
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by Certified CFA CFA Alexander Popinker

The more you take care of your strings, violin, viola, or cello, the longer they will last. After each use, with a soft, dry cloth, wipe the strings, tool, and wand of the bow from the fingers’ sweat, debris, and dust. Sweat is acidic and the strings corrode, which shortens the life of the strings. By cleaning the ropes after use, you will extend their life.

If you are a student you should change your strings every year and if you are a professional who plays more often then you should do it every six months. Strings will also sound dull and start to fray if you don’t get them tuned in time so be sure to tune up before performances or practice sessions.

How much do violin strings cost?

The cost of a violin string set can vary greatly. It’s often between $15 and $50. The quality, gauge size (or thickness), and manufacturer, all make an impact on the price tag for these strings. A good set should fall within the range of $18 to $40.

On the Violonist.com website, Luis Claudio Manfino stated that a set of Larsen E or Jargar violin strings is always a good choice and one of each should cost around $55.

As an example, the cost of one Pirastro Evah violin string is up to $75, while the strings made by D’Addario Helicore are much cheaper, retailing for almost $35.

At the Guitar Center, you can find a wide range of violin string sets with prices starting at $7 and going up to $40.

Type Price Range
Z’yex $45 to $55
Violino $55 to $65
Tonica $60 to $75
Pro’ Arte $40 to $50
Prelude $25 to $35
Helicore $45 to $55
Evah Pirazzi $70 to $90
Dominants $50 to $70

Violin strings details

Usually, when buying violin strings, instructions on how to replace them are included. If not and you don’t know how to restring a violin, look online for tutorials or videos on youtube.com.

The majority of the strings are made of a solid steel core and have particular playing lengths, scaled to fit the exact size violin.

You might also like our articles about the cost of a live band, a harp, or stage rental.

Four is the most common number of strings on a violin, but some can have up to seven. If you find your instrument has more than four though – which would be very rare – it will usually play in lower tones than its G-string counterpart.

What are violin strings made of?

Steel strings

They are made of a single solid steel wire along the entire length of the string. In general, school violins are equipped with such strings and are preferred by students and beginners for their more affordable price. They are more resistant and have a long lifespan. Instead, they have a lower elasticity, which narrows the range of sounds. The sound is focused and crystal clear. They are also used on small violins, for children, with fractional sizes (7/8, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, etc.).

Cable strings

They are made of steel wires braided like a rope. They have a clear and focused sound, superior elasticity and flexibility to those made of solid steel, and a very good response to the bow. They are stable in tuning and have a long service life. They are used by advanced musicians, students, and beginners alike. Very good on electric and electroacoustic violins.

Synthetic strings

They have nylon core, perlon, multifilament synthetic materials, or various modern materials known under the generic name of “composite materials”. They are very elastic and flexible, which ensures a very wide sound palette and increased possibilities of sound modulation. The sound is warm, balanced, rich, and deep. Pleasant tactile sensation and ease of singing. They are very stable in tuning. It is unaffected by variations in temperature and humidity and extreme climatic conditions.

Gut strings

They are the oldest known types of strings. It is made by hand, by traditional methods, from sheep or beef intestines. They stand out through a very rich and complex range of sounds, but they are less stable in tuning and have a high sensitivity to changes in temperature and humidity.

What are the extra costs?

You can hire a professional to restring your violin for $25 to $45. Your music teacher might offer to do it free of charge if you’re taking lessons, but don’t count on this.

Important things to consider

Violin StringsWhen it comes to strings, the more you pay for them upfront the less you will have to spend on replacements. Cheaper ones may not last as long or sound quite right in comparison. Some find they break easier and are unpleasant overall due to how inaccurate tuning can be.

Your violin teacher can be a big help in picking out the best strings for your instrument. This is because they have years of experience with different brands. If you are currently working together, ask them about what brand would work best.

In order to get the most from your strings, pay attention to their silk windings. They will typically have a ball at one end and fit through an appropriate hole in the tailpiece of the violin so that they can be tensioned properly without producing unwanted noise.

For advanced players, it’s important to have strings that give them the balance they need so their sound comes across well in a performance. In contrast, beginners will usually want something more basic. In general, most music teachers recommend cheaper sets for beginners.

The violin string names from the lowest to the highest are G, D, A, E.

You can find out which strings you should buy with a few tries.

The hardest part about shopping for new violin strings is figuring out what type of sound will work best, but it’s as easy as visiting your local music studio where they might have testers available.

What are the best strings?

There are no best strings. There are good strings for you and the violin you have. By assessing your needs, desires, and possibilities, in relation to the options we have, through repeated attempts, we will be able to make the best choice.

Top brands to consider

  • Pirastro
  • Thomastik
  • D’Addario
  • Super Sensitive

How can I save money?

It’s no secret that strings are one of the most expensive parts of an instrument. Investing in bulk packages can help you save money on your favorite product.

Many people think that they need to replace every string on their instrument at one time, but this is not always necessary. For some brands, it may be clear which note needs replacing by color-coding the strings so beginners can easily identify them.

Online retailers are a great source for finding discounts on overstocked brands. Check out these online sites, but also the local retailers around you.

Alec Pow
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