Gut Strings are made with a core of sheep or lamb intestine and wound with various metals. These strings provide a warm rich tone with dark overtones. Gut strings are sensitive to humidity, climate, and temperature changes and will need to be tuned frequently. Due to their complexity and sensitivity, these string are suitable for advanced players and not recommended for beginners. Gut core strings are wound on a ball or tied in a knot at the tailpiece end and should be installed directly into the tailpiece.

Plain gut strings, such as Pirastro Chorda, are intended for early musical instrument specialists only. These strings are not manufactured with a loop or ball and the player must tie a knot at the tailpiece end for installation.

Synthetic strings have a core made from nylon material, such as Perlon, and are wound with various metals. These strings are nicely balanced between bright and dark tones and are less sensitive to humidity and climate changes than gut. Break-in time is also generally shorter. Synthetic core strings are suitable for all playing levels, but the more expensive sets are intended for advanced players. These strings should be installed into the tailpiece or wide end string adjusters. Standard string adjusters are not wide enough to accommodate the winding and may break the string.

Plain steel and steel core strings generate a big, bright sound with quick response. These strings are highly stable and resist changes in the environment better than gut and synthetic core strings. Steel strings are recommended for beginning students because they tune easily, hold their pitch, and are relatively inexpensive. In addition, these strings may be used with string adjusters.

Rope core strings are made from multiple strands of steel braided or wound like a rope. These strings provide a bright sound, but are well balanced with a quick response. Rope core strings also resist climate changes and may be used with string adjusters. These strings are popular with fiddle, bluegrass, mariachi and jazz players.

String adjusters can be also used with ball or loop end strings other than the E string. However, string adjusters should not be used with most synthetic core strings and all gut strings.

Post Style and Double Prong - Both post style and double prong string adjusters are able to accommodate a loop or ball end E string.

Single Prong (Hook End) - String adjusters with a single prong that resemble a hook are for loop end strings only.