by Joanne Garcia

String Theory 

Oftentimes, string players come into the shop and ask that we recommend a string for them to use.  Some want nothing less than the best, some want to spend as little as possible, and some want a different type of sound.  Strings are made from various materials, and these materials affect the sound, the projection, and stability of the string.   Choosing the right strings is one of the most impactful ways a player can shape their instrument’s voice. While all strings serve the same purpose, the materials used: steel, synthetic, and gut—offer vastly different playing experiences, tones, and historical contexts.  For this article, we are concentrating on violin strings but some of the concepts presented apply to other instruments. 

The History of Strings: From Sheep to Science

For centuries, "gut" was the only option. Made from the processed intestines of sheep (not cats, despite the "catgut" myth), these strings defined the sound of the Baroque and Classical eras. However, gut strings were notoriously temperamental, slipping out of tune with every change in humidity. 

Steel strings made their debut in the 1870s, although not favored by professional musicians, who described them as “tinny” and even “evil”.  Sheep intestines were used for sutures during World War I (1914 – 1918), so there was a shortage of material for violin strings.  Steel strings were forced on musicians due to necessity.  The founders of Thomastik-Infeld produced a steel E string in 1919, which worked quite well as gut E strings of the day tended to whistle and break easily.  The steel E string caught on and a few years later, it was used by more professionals; however, they did stick with their gut G, D, and A.  Although gut strings provided a beautiful, warm tone, which was preferred over the thin, tinny sound of steel, they were, and still are, not stable in heat and humidity and required frequent tuning.  Concert halls in the early 1900s were not air conditioned and the temperature would rise as it filled with people, so the stability of a steel string was advantageous.   

The real revolution, however, occurred in 1970 when Thomastik-Infeld introduced the groundbreaking synthetic string: Dominants. These featured a nylon (synthetic) core, aiming to mimic the warmth of gut while offering the stability of steel. They were pitch stable, responsive, and provided a flexible feel, making them comfortable for long hours of playing.  This string fundamentally changed the modern violin landscape.  Today, Dominants are a very popular string and tend to work quite well on most instruments.  In fact, it’s the string of choice for Hillary Hahn and Nigel Kennedy and the most popular string choice in our shop. 

Steel Strings: The Student’s Choice

Steel core strings are the standard for school orchestras and beginning students. Steel core strings are less expensive than other types of strings, incredibly durable, and stay in tune almost immediately after being installed. Because they are high-tension and thin, they respond quickly to the bow, making it easier for a novice to produce a clear, focused, bright sound, albeit not quite as pleasant as from a synthetic string.  Beginners will be able to produce a clear tone on a violin with steel strings relatively easily and they have the longest life expectancy compared to other strings.

Beyond students, steel strings are favored by fiddlers and electric violinists. Their bright, punchy tone cuts through the noise of a band, and their stability is essential for outdoor performances where temperature fluctuates.  Examples of these for violin are D’Addario Prelude and Helicore, both reliable workhorses.

There are disadvantages to using steel strings. The tone tends to be harsh and metallic, they lack the overtones and warmth of gut and synthetic strings, they are high tension and may tire a player’s left hand more easily than other materials.   It is more difficult for a musician to be expressive when using steel strings as they do not possess the material and tension to enable a musician to bring out nuance and color in their sound.  Additionally, they are more likely to cut into the bridge of an instrument and not stay in tune as well when a musician pushes down more on the bow.  Strings sinking into a bridge do not vibrate properly and can choke the tone of a violin.  As students advance and they want to add more color to their playing, a steel string may not be the best choice. 

Synthetic Core: The Modern Standard

Synthetic strings are the go-to for advancing players and professionals. Made from high-tech polymers, such as nylon, or the brand name “Perlon”, they offer a "best of both worlds" scenario. They possess a complex, colorful harmonic profile like gut but are far more reliable.

As a student improves and begins to focus on vibrato and tonal shading, synthetic strings provide the flexibility needed for nuanced expression. They are the versatile pillars of the modern orchestral and solo world.  Thomastik-Infeld’s Dominants and Alphayue, D’Addario’s Kaplan Amo, and Pirastro Tonica are examples of some of the less expensive to moderately priced synthetic strings. 

At the Long Island Violin Shop, our rental instruments are of a higher quality than those that are commonly available through a school or a music store.  Our instruments are professionally set up by violin makers, and we use synthetic core strings with a tin-plated E. Even young beginners will sound better and can musically grow when playing on our standard and scholastic levelrentals. 

Gut Strings: The Traditionalist’s Soul

Despite the convenience of modern materials, gut strings, despite their high price tag, have never truly disappeared.  There are a few players, amateurs and professionals alike, who adore the sound produced from gut strings.  For the most part, they are primarily used by two groups:

Period Performance Specialists: Musicians who play in "original instrument" ensembles, Baroque musicians, use unwound gut strings to achieve the raw, earthy, and intimate sound of the past.

Specific Orchestral Professionals: Some high-level soloists use "covered" gut (gut cores wound with silver or aluminum). These offer a depth of character and a "three-dimensional" texture that many artists feel synthetic strings cannot quite replicate. 

The sound produced by gut strings is unmatched, rich, complex, with a wide dynamic range.  They feel soft, elastic, and comfortable. 

They are expensive, sensitive to humidity, and go out of tune easily.  Examples of gut strings produced by Pirastro include Oliv, Eudoxa, Passione. Chorda is popular with Baroque musicians. 

Final Thoughts

Whether it’s the rugged reliability of steel for a beginner, the versatile brilliance of a synthetic core for an aspiring professional, or the historical soul of gut for a specialist, string choice is a deeply personal journey. Understanding these materials allows a violinist to not just play their instrument, but to truly curate its voice.

Hopefully this article helped you gain an understanding of the difference between various types of strings.  Stop in or call the Long Island Violin Shop and discuss your string needs with a member of our knowledgeable staff.