Thomastik Dominant 4/4 Size Violin Strings  

The reference standard for synthetic strings.  Ask how any other brand/model sound, and you'll get a "relative to Dominants..." answer.  These were the first synthetic strings to build up a major presence, and they've maintained it ever since.  May not be your first choice in 'fiddling' styles, but an excellent starting point in classical.  You'll find them used and preferred by players of every level, from students just learning up through top world-class soloists.

These strings are at the level where you stop asking whether a string is good or bad, but rather just whether you like how it works in your situation or not.  Every violin is different, as is every bow and every player, so always expect to do some experimenting.  And expect to replace the E string with something else; not only is the E the most sensitive to variations in instruments, the Dominant E is almost never spoken well of.  Goldbrokat or Pirastro Gold Label are common replacement choices.

Dominants may not be the best choice for your instrument and playing.  But try them; every player and every luthier knows them as a reference, so if they don't fit you, knowing which way you want to go from that starting point will narrow your search.

Overall, though, the Dominants sound better so I'll order another D     string in case this one goes kerflooey.

I bought a Dominant G, D, and A string.     The D string ball end broke off     as soon as I started to tighten it up with the peg.     It was the only     one I had at the moment and a lesson the next day, so I tied a knot and     hoped for the best.     So far, a week later it's still holding but I have a     fine tuner on all strings, and the D fine tuner does not seem to work     as well with the knot as the other tuners do with the regular ball end.

Way too expensive if they break this easily.     But I'll give another one a try.     My teacher says she likes these the best.