Truthfully, the title should be "My Current Favorite Strings," because my taste tends to change with time. I've been very impressed with the quality of these strings, the only downside is their price. However, I generally change strings once a year, so I feel that I can splurge a little on good strings. So, here are the specifications on these strings:
Thomastik Infeld Red 4/4 Violin String Set - Medium Gauge with Removable Ball End Gold-plated Steel E
- Full size (4/4)
- Medium Gauge
- Removable Ball End
- Gold Plated Steel E
- String Materials:
- G: Composite core, silver wound
- D: Composite core, hydoalium* wound
- A: Composite core, hydoalium wound
- E: Chrome steel, gold-plated
This is the second highest rated set of strings on Amazon. They have a warm feel, but definitely not dull. Many reviewers mentioned bringing out "the dark side of your violin." I was afraid this would sound muffled, but in reality, these strings have a great combination of warmth and power.
I play both classical and fiddle, and I find that these strings adapt well to both styles. They are dark enough to play very emotional pieces, and they have the fast response to play hoedown-style bluegrass. If you only play one style, you can get strings to match it, like gut strings for baroque or steel for fiddle, but these strings have the versatility to hold up under any type of music.
If you use these strings, or have a different favorite string, please leave a comment and tell me about it!
