Most strings, other than the E-string on a violin, are produced with a “ball-end” at the tailpiece end. This ball-end slips down through the appropriate hole in the tailpiece so that when the body of the string is slid up into the slot, the ball prevents the end of the string from coming through.;
, Using strings designed for other size instruments will not produce a desirable result.
 Nearly all E-strings are steel and react with large changes in pitch to very little change in string tension. For this reason, most instruments have a mechanical fine tuner mechanism attached to the tailpiece to accomplish the small changes in tension needed.
 Some viola A-strings are steel, and react with large changes in pitch to very little change in string tension. For this reason, some instruments have a mechanical fine tuner mechanism attached to the tailpiece to accomplish the small changes in tension needed.
Identify the strings for violins, violas, and cellos by the silk windings at the peg and tailpiece ends.
String fractional size instruments with strings specifically designed for that instrument.
Remember that on a violin, the E-string is usually offered with either the ball-end or a simple wire loop-end at the tailpiece end.
Remember that on a viola, the A-string is occasionally offered with either the ball end or a simple wire loop end at the tailpiece end.
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