E string for violins - Ball or Loop?

The ball end is for strings put into tailpieces with fine tuners. On so-called "student" violins, there are usually fine tuners on each of the four strings. On more professional violins, there is often only one tuner, on the E. This is because small hands have a hard time tuning the other three strings with the pegs. And also because the much small strings on fractional instruments have to be tuned on a much smaller scale. You will need a ball end for the E, as a rule, and the loop ends will be purchased for those strings which do not have fine tuners, but which are pushed through the tailpiece holes and looped into the loop at the end, if that make sense. If you need tuners, you can always go to a luthier shop and have them put on (or removed, for that matter). One way to upgrade your violin, is to remove all the fine tuners, but one (E), and then buy a good set of strings, such as the Eva's or Obligatos. Makes a huge different in the sound. Removing all that hardware will also somewhat less dampen the tone, as well.

It depends on what type of fine tuner you have. A fine tuner for a ball end should have two little prongs for the ball to slip through, where a fine tuner for a loop end should only have one prong to loop around. You can always buy a new fine tuner for your E string, but it's better to buy a string that matches the fine tuner you already have. Good luck! =)

You MUST check your violin. Mine has a little hook at the bottom of it - there is no space for a metal ball to go in so i had to buy a 'loop' one. However, if on your tail piece you have a space for the metal ball one to be fixed then you need one of those. If it doesn't like their is a space for that then you need the loop one which fixes onto a little hook you should have above your adjuster. I made the mistake of getting the wrong one!