Instruments, Bows, and Gear | Strings Magazine | For players of violin, viola, cello, bass & fiddle

String Theory

Ever wonder how firms develop the latest strings? In 2004, Strings enlisted James Keough to find out Everyone in the stringed-instrument field agrees on one th... Read More...

Powerful, Sweet, Nasty & Gritty

Mark O’Connor’s 2002 Cooper fiddle is a “remarkable collaborator” Player Specializing in American music, fiddler, composer, pedagogue, and multiple Grammy-Awar... Read More...

Musafia’s Lightweight Lievissima

By Greg Olwell Taking its name from the Italian word for “the lightest,” Cremonese case maker Musafia has introduced the Lievissima violin case, and true to... Read More...

Lap of Luxury

Black German velvet? Custom inlay or gold fittings? Tough enough to survive a car crash? Buying an instrument case—when money is no object By Erin Shrader ... Read More...

The difference between grime and shine on an instrument

Ask the Expert: The Fine Balance Between Grime & Shine

Cleaning too much, or not enough, can irreversibly change your instrument’s appearance By Christopher Jacoby Violin maker Chris Jacoby said the... Read More...

Ask the Expert: When Should I Opt for a Self-Adjusting Bridge?

A bridge with adjustable feet may help in a pinch, but a tailor-made bridge is unbeatable By Christopher Jacoby Q: After experimenting with a flattened b... Read More...

A Unique Vuillaume Cello with a Noble Pedigree

Raphael Wallfisch’s cello brings enhanced dimensions to his playing Player: From contemporary composers on back to Baroque, British cellist Raphael Wallfisch h... Read More...

Search for a vegan violin, violin with explanation of animal products used in its construction

The Search for the Vegan Violin

Vegan string players wrestle with the moral dilemma of using animal products endemic to traditional violins and bows.

Ask the Expert: How Can I Increase My Instrument’s Carrying Power?

Part science, part art, changing a bassbar may help, but then again, it might not By James N. McKean Q: If I replaced the bassbar of my violin woul... Read More...

This ‘Old Man’ Is a Real Survivor

Blaine Sprouse's fiddle has weathered a Tennessee tornado and much, much more in the past 150 years By Blaine Sprouse Player West Virginia native B... Read More...