Guitar Guide

Orchestral & Folk Strings Buying Guides

Every orchestral & folk strings guide below is rated by Vincent Vandegans and sourced from live eBay and Amazon listings — not sponsored placements. Each pick is cross-checked against real, currently available offers rather than manufacturer list prices, and rescored whenever we refresh the guide.

Orchestral & Folk Strings Guides

Returning to Violin After Decades: What's Actually Changed in the Market
Orchestral & Folk Strings Score 94/100

Returning to Violin After Decades: What's Actually Changed in the Market

Returning to violin after decades: what has actually changed in the market.

Viola vs. Violin: Why the "Bigger Version" Costs More Than You'd Expect
Orchestral & Folk Strings Score 95/100

Viola vs. Violin: Why the "Bigger Version" Costs More Than You'd Expect

Viola vs. violin: why the bigger version costs more than you would expect.

What a Step-Up Cello Actually Gives You Over a Student Instrument
Orchestral & Folk Strings Score 87/100

What a Step-Up Cello Actually Gives You Over a Student Instrument

What a step-up cello actually gives you over a student instrument.

Is an Upright Bass a Realistic Second Instrument for a Home Studio?
Orchestral & Folk Strings Score 95/100

Is an Upright Bass a Realistic Second Instrument for a Home Studio?

Is an upright bass a realistic second instrument for a home studio?

F-Style vs. A-Style at the Premium Tier: Is the Scroll Worth the Price?
Orchestral & Folk Strings Score 91/100

F-Style vs. A-Style at the Premium Tier: Is the Scroll Worth the Price?

F-style vs. A-style at the premium tier: is the scroll worth the price?

What Bluegrass Players Actually Check Before Buying a Resonator Banjo
Orchestral & Folk Strings Score 95/100

What Bluegrass Players Actually Check Before Buying a Resonator Banjo

What bluegrass players actually check before buying a resonator banjo.

The Case for a Handmade Open-Back Banjo Over a Factory Model
Orchestral & Folk Strings Score 91/100

The Case for a Handmade Open-Back Banjo Over a Factory Model

The case for a handmade open-back banjo over a factory model.

Hammered Dulcimer: A Serious Instrument or Just a Collector's Curiosity?
Orchestral & Folk Strings Score 90/100

Hammered Dulcimer: A Serious Instrument or Just a Collector's Curiosity?

Hammered dulcimer: a serious instrument, or just a collector's curiosity?

What Separates an Orchestra-Grade Pedal Harp From Everything Below It
Orchestral & Folk Strings Score 84/100

What Separates an Orchestra-Grade Pedal Harp From Everything Below It

What separates an orchestra-grade pedal harp from everything below it.

Why Folk Harpists Are Returning to Lever Instruments Later in Life
Orchestral & Folk Strings Score 90/100

Why Folk Harpists Are Returning to Lever Instruments Later in Life

Why folk harpists are returning to lever instruments later in life.