🏆 Annual Erhu Strings Awards

Originally posted in 2009. Updated with 100% more wisdom, 0% more hair.

If you’ve played the Erhu for a while, you’ve probably realized one thing: not all strings are created equal. Some sing like a diva at Carnegie Hall, while others… sound like a cat coughing up a hairball.

So here’s my (completely subjective, unscientific, but deeply passionate) review of the Erhu strings that have crossed my desk—and bow—over the years. Let’s crown some winners and warn you about the duds.

🎖️ Best Strings Overall

Most popular, easy to use, and a safe bet for most players.

1. Fang Fang Blue Professional Erhu Strings
Tone: Warm, clean, and well-balanced across both strings.
Feel: Smooth under the fingers, low-to-moderate tension makes it comfortable even during long practice sessions.
Why it made the list: Great for beginners and pros alike. Reliable tone, consistent build quality, and easy on the fingers. One of our best-sellers for good reason. The red version sounds louder and bolder but needs more effort to play.

💰 Best Budget Strings

Cheap but not trashy. Great for students or practice setups.

1. Dunhuang Mudan Strings
Tone: Decent for the price—clear enough to get work done, but won’t turn heads.
Durability: Lasts a good few months with regular use; more than sufficient for beginners.
Best for: Beginner players, school use, and daily practice. Plus, if it’s good enough for famed Shanghai Erhu maker Hu Han Rou to string her instruments with… it’s good enough for us mortals.

🎤 Best for Special Occasions

Premium strings reserved for solos, competitions, or when you’re trying to impress your in-laws.

1. Thomastik-Infeld Soloist Strings
Sound Quality: Extremely responsive with superb clarity. Every nuance rings out beautifully.
Look & Feel: Sleek, precision-made European craftsmanship. High tension caused it to be slightly hard on the fingers though.
Why it’s special: Brings out the full voice of high-end Erhus. Ideal for solo recitals and performances where every detail matters.

2. Pirastro Red Dragon Strings
Sound Quality: Rich and dynamic, with a lush overtone profile that flatters expressive playing.
Look & Feel: Elegant packaging, smooth texture—luxurious from the first note.
Why it’s special: German engineering meets Chinese soul. Perfect for the player looking to infuse their tone with emotion and subtlety. Easy on the fingers because of its low tension.

💪 Best Workout Strings

High tension, loud tone, but your fingers will cry (and then get stronger).

1. Dunhuang High Tension Strings
Tone: Big and powerful, great projection even in ensemble settings.
Tension: Very high
Player Notes: You’ll need strong fingers and refined bow control to tame these beasts.
Recommended for: Intermediate to advanced players who want that volume boost and a challenge to match.

2. Fang Fang Soloist Strings
Tone: Bold and cutting, with a slightly metallic edge that suits energetic styles.
Tension: High
Player Notes: Takes time to break in but rewards you with great dynamic range.
Recommended for: Players with good control who want to push their tone further.

🤑 Most Expensive Strings

So fancy, I haven’t dared to try them yet.

1. Thomastik-Infeld Erhu Solo Strings
What makes them premium: Made in Austria using advanced synthetic cores and precision winding.
Promised Benefits: Crystal-clear tone, lightning-fast response, and tuning stability across climates.
Have I tried them? Not yet. Still waiting for my Erhu fairy godmother or a windfall.

📣 Final Words

Choosing Erhu strings is a bit like dating—some look great on paper but disappoint in practice. Others surprise you and become lifelong companions. My advice? Try a few, trust your ears, and don’t get too attached. After all, they’re meant to be changed.

If you’ve got a favorite brand or a string horror story, drop me a comment or email. Let’s keep the string gossip going.

Click here for our collection of Erhu Strings.

Happy bowing,
Sung Wah
Erhu string whisperer since the 90s.