Where to Find the Best Prices on Violin Strings (and When to Buy)

Avoid Counterfeit Strings and Shop Wisely to Get Your Best Sound

As an amateur violinist, I don’t want to spend more than I need on my violin strings, but I also want my violin to sound its best, and good strings do make a difference. Whether you are a fellow amateur, a student, or a pro, I know that you also want to use the best strings for your instrument. But, with so many brands to choose from and widely varying prices at different shops, shopping for strings isn’t always straight forward. I have done a lot of research on the best places to shop for strings while testing multiple different brands over the years, and I’d like to share what I have learned with you so you can find the best shops, avoid counterfeits, and take advantage of sales.

Violin strings are getting more expensive

I was somewhat surprised when I looked on Shar Music recently and noticed that the price of a set of Thomastik Vision Solo violin strings is $109. I recall the brand being around $80 last time I checked. I noticed that most other Thomastik brand strings had also increased in price pretty substantially. Most quality violin strings, including the popular brands Thomastik-Infeld, and Pirastro, are manufactured in Europe. Prices of European strings have been affected by both recent tariffs and changing currency exchange rates. As a result, most shops have already increased prices on strings. Despite rising costs, with a bit of careful shopping and planning, you can still reduce the overall cost of your string purchase.

Buy from a Reputable Seller

Counterfeit strings are a real risk, especially with popular brands like Dominant or Evah Pirazzi. In order to ensure that you are getting the strings you are paying for, avoid Amazon listings and eBay sellers unless you have verified that the seller is a legitimate shop. Also, when purchasing strings, try to stick to known shops that specialize in string instruments such as a local violin shop, or a well-known online retailer. If you are shopping online, specialized shops are also more likely to package your purchase correctly so your strings show up in one piece. 

Shop Smart: Sign Up for Sales and Coupons

Many of the larger string instrument specialty shops that sell online offer periodic special discounts to their email list subscribers. Shar Music and Johnson String are especially active with these sales and coupons. Watch for holiday promotions at both of these shops. Black Friday sales usually have the steepest discounts, but they offer discounts around many major US holidays. I typically try to stock up on my strings for the year around Black Friday if I find a good sale. 

Consider Buying from Europe

Nearly all the major string brands used by classical violinists are manufactured in Europe. European shops like Thomann sometimes have lower prices on strings than most US shops, however shipping fees and potential customs duties can reduce or negate the savings. I had success ordering from Thomann prior to the most recent round of tariffs, when favorable exchange rates made prices significantly lower than I could find at domestic shops. Thomann is still a potentially good option for bulk orders or group purchases for particular string brands, for example, if you are a teacher who orders strings for students or you want to go in with a friend or colleague on an order of strings. 

Tips for Buying Strings in Bulk

Due to the periodic nature of coupons and sales at major string instrument retailers, it can make sense to stock up on strings, especially if you know which strings you want and how often you change your strings. If you store strings well-packaged in a dry place, they will last a long time. I often put my extra string sets in a ziplock bag to help prevent them from coming into contact with moisture during humid times of the year. Buying a couple of string sets at a time, especially if they are student-level strings, can also help save money on shipping, as many shops have free shipping thresholds.

Try Lesser Known Brands

Especially if you don’t make your living playing your violin, you might not need the strings that can cut through an orchestra, or blend the best with a particular chamber music group. If you are a student, you don’t necessarily need to use the strings your teacher uses, unless you have decided that they are also the best strings for your particular instrument. Each instrument is unique, and while quality strings do make a difference, not all strings sound the same on all instruments. I’ve enjoyed the sound of Warchal brand strings on my violin which are often a bit less pricey than Thomastik and Pirastro strings. I’ve also tried Larsen brand strings (more popular for Viola and Cello) which, while still in the premium price bracket can be slightly more affordable, especially with coupons and sales, than some of the most popular professional brands.

Final Thoughts

Violin strings are an important part of your sound as a violinist, and with some planning and careful shopping, it’s possible to get the strings you want for less than you might think. Keep in mind that the most expensive strings won’t necessarily sound the best on your instrument, so take some time to try out different brands to figure out what strings you like personally. 

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If you have a favorite shop or string-buying tips or experiences, please share!