Best Viola Strings of 2026
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Viola strings are an essential component of any violist's toolkit. High-quality strings can significantly improve the tone and projection of the instrument, making it easier to produce a rich, full-bodied sound. Viola strings come in a range of materials, including gut, steel, and synthetic, each with its unique properties and benefits. Some strings are designed for specific playing styles, such as those suited for orchestral or solo performance. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, investing in a set of quality viola strings can make a world of difference in your playing experience.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Viola Strings
D'Addario Prelude Viola String Set
The D'Addario Prelude Viola String Set is designed for a medium-scale viola with a playing length of 14 1/8 inches and medium tension. These student strings are made with a solid steel core that produces a warm tone, making them a preferred choice for educators. They are also affordable and durable, making them perfect for students. D'Addario takes pride in designing, engineering, and manufacturing all its strings in the USA to meet the highest quality standards.
Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Viola String Set
The Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Viola String Set is a versatile and high-quality set of strings designed for violas up to 16.5". This medium gauge set includes all ball-end strings, featuring Chromesteel/Steel A, Silver/Synthetic D, Silver/Synthetic G, and Tungsten-Silver/Synthetic C. The Chromesteel/Steel A string provides a bright and focused sound, while the Silver/Synthetic D and G strings offer a rich and warm tone. The Tungsten-Silver/Synthetic C string delivers a deep and powerful sound. These strings are perfect for violists looking for a balanced and expressive sound across the entire range of their instrument. With the Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Viola String Set, you can expect excellent projection, responsiveness, and durability, making it an ideal choice for both professional and amateur musicians.
Thomastik-Infeld Dominant Synthetic Core Viola Strings
The Thomastik-Infeld Dominant Synthetic Core Viola Strings are developed and produced in Vienna, Austria since 1918, ensuring 100% constant quality and absolutely reliable performance. The breathable leather lining adds convenience and comfort to the players. With 1,300 strings for every playing style, the set of 4 medium gauge strings is suitable for all 4/4 scale violas.
Thomastik-Infeld Peter Infeld Viola Set
The Thomastik-Infeld Peter Infeld Viola Set offers reliable and high-quality performance as it has been developed and produced in Vienna, Austria since 1924. With breathable leather lining, the set is comfortable to use for every playing style. Thomastik-Infeld also offers a wide range of 1,300 strings to cater to different playing styles.
Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Gold Viola String Set
The Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Gold Viola String Set is designed for 4/4 violas and features a tailpiece end with gold and black silking, peg end silking, ball end strings, and a removable ball for the A string. The A string has a steel core with chrome-steel winding, providing a clear and powerful sound.
D'Addario Helicore Viola String Set, Medium Scale, Medium Tension
D'Addario Helicore Viola Strings are designed specifically for medium-scale violas with a playing length of 14 1/8 inches. These medium tension strings provide optimal playability and produce a clear, warm tone. The stranded steel core ensures excellent pitch stability and longevity, making them perfect for a wide variety of playing styles and instruments. The smaller string diameter allows for quick bow response, giving you greater control over your sound. Packaged in sealed pouches, these strings are protected from corrosion and will last longer. Made in the USA with premium quality materials, D'Addario Helicore Viola Strings are trusted by musicians worldwide for their unmatched performance and consistency.
LARSEN Viola Strings (LVA-AMEDB)
The LARSEN Viola Strings (LVA-AMEDB) are designed for viola players who prefer medium tension and ball end strings. The strings are made of high-quality materials and are suitable for violas of all sizes. The A string is included in this package.
JYsun Viola Strings - High Quality Full Sets
The JYsun Viola Strings 2 Full Sets come with high quality steel core, nickel chromium wound, nickel-plated ball end, and are well-manufactured with 15+ years of experience. These strings can produce a clear warm tone and beautiful sound, making them a great choice for learners, players, and performers of the viola. Additionally, the product comes with excellent customer service and technical guidance for users.
D'Addario Helicore Medium Tension Viola Strings
The D'Addario Helicore Viola Strings are designed specifically for long-scale violas, ensuring a perfect fit for instruments with a body length of 16 to 16 1/2 inches. With medium tension, these strings offer a balanced feel that suits many playing styles, providing you with comfortable playability. The strings feature a multi-stranded steel core, which helps produce a warm, clear tone while allowing quick response to bowing, making your playing more expressive. Packaged in special sealed pouches, these strings are protected from moisture and corrosion, so you can trust they will last longer and maintain their sound quality over time.
Alice Viola 4/4 Full String Set Steel Core
The Alice Viola String Set is designed mainly for beginners who want reliable strings for practice. This set includes all four strings—A, D, G, and C—so you get everything needed for a complete viola setup. Made with a steel core wrapped in a nickel-iron alloy, these strings are built to last and offer a warm, rich sound that helps your playing stand out. The nickel-plated ball ends make installation easy and secure. If you have a 16-inch viola, this set fits perfectly and can help you improve your tone and confidence during practice sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What kind of strings does a viola use?
There are three main types of viola strings to choose from: steel core, synthetic core, and gut core. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Gut core strings produce a warm sound with rich overtones but require frequent tuning. Steel core and synthetic core strings offer more stability and durability.
2. Why is the viola easier than the violin?
Comparing the viola and violin, many consider the viola to be harder to play. This is due to its larger size, heavier weight, and the use of alto clef notation. However, some people find the viola easier because the music is often less complex, as it usually has a supporting role in ensembles.
3. What happens if you put violin strings on a viola?
While it is possible to put violin strings on a viola, it is unlikely to produce a good sound. The length and gauge of the strings, as well as the body depth and setup of the instrument, all contribute to the sound and playability. It is important to choose strings that are specifically designed for the size of the viola for optimal performance.
4. Which is harder to play, viola or violin?
Both the viola and violin have their own challenges, but many consider the viola to be harder to play. The larger size and heavier weight of the viola, as well as the use of alto clef notation, can make it more challenging. However, some people find the viola easier because the music is often less complex, as it typically plays a supporting role in ensembles.
During our viola string research, we found 24 viola string products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 9,859 customer reviews through our big data system to write the viola strings list. We found that most customers choose viola strings with an average price of $52.94.
The viola strings are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of viola strings, including D'Addario, Pirastro, Thomastik-Infeld, LARSEN STRINGS, JYsun. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Joseph Hubbard is a music producer and runs a musical instrument store in Chicago. Joseph is happy to help others choose the instrument that best suits their needs. He loves everything related to music and often publishes articles related to music on key websites.