What are good violin strings that don't cost an arm and a leg?

Question:I am so done with Super sensitives red label. There are so many brands it is hard to know what to choose. I usually get my strings from Southwest Strings. Suggestions?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I am so done with Super sensitives red label. There are so many brands it is hard to know what to choose. I usually get my strings from Southwest Strings. Suggestions?

Avoid the Black Diamond and Old Fiddler. They are steel wound strings that look like repackaged guitar strings, put extra strain on the neck, and are hard on bows. After that, just look at the price per set and ask for a sample pack of the two or three lowest price sets.

http://www.swstrings.com/Store/Shopping....
http://www.swstrings.com/Store/Shopping....

Shar has a good rep and sells the Chinese strings that are alighlty less expensive
http://www.sharmusic.com/itemdy00.asp?t1...
http://www.sharmusic.com/itemdy00.asp?t1...
http://www.sharmusic.com/moreinfogroup.a...

http://www.violinslover.com/OutfitIn.php...

I use the Anton Breton strings to replace strings when my students can't afford their own, but they list for $8.95 and the Perlons list for $10.95
http://www.sagamusic.com/catalog/details...
http://www.sagamusic.com/catalog/details...

You may want to ask Mary why she gets an extra dollar a set for hers! (of course sher gets almost twenty dollars a set for Super Sensitives and most of us get them for about twelve to thirteen dollars a set. Comparatively, the markup isn't all that drastic I guess)
http://www.marysmusic.com/violin.htm

Now Janet Davis music gets almost eighteen dollars a set for a pack of Super Sensitive old fiddler strings! I think that is amazing!
http://www.janetdavismusic.com/fidstr.ht...

Of course you could just go to Saga's website and find a local dealer that will sell them to you for the list price or better
http://www.sagamusic.com/how_to_order.as...

Saga also makes the Concertise line of strings, the Cremona line of Violins,. and Sherman Rosin. The same stores that badmouth the Anton Breton Strings, often carry the Cremona Violins and guess what strings come on them? I use them all the time and have had no trouble at all with them. The are sealed in those litle plastic cases so the air doesn't get to them and they have all of the fuzzies that the other strings have. They are not repackaged guitar strings either. so, if you are feeling adventerous, you might try the Anton Bretons! Hope this helps.

http://www.sagamusic.com/pdf/accessories...

Get a nice set of Dominents.