D'Addario NS415 Viola Strings

NS Electric Viola High E String — A Specialist Top String for NS-Design Electric Violas

Built in collaboration with Ned Steinberger and NS Design specifically for the NS family of electric violas, this single replacement string delivers the clear, focused top voice that electric violists need to cut through amplified ensembles without sounding thin or metallic. Anchored by a stranded steel core with a tinned high-carbon steel outer wrap, the construction gives the bow a fast, flexible response, making rapid passage work, spiccato, and sustained legato lines feel equally natural. Sized to a 380 mm playing length, it fits long-scale electric violas with body lengths of 16 to 16½ inches, and it also serves as a viable upgrade for acoustic violists who want a brighter, more articulate E string.

Technical Specifications

• Number of Strings: 1 — single replacement string
• String Designation: High E — top voice of the viola
• Tension: Medium — balanced feel for most playing styles
• Core: Stranded Steel — fast, flexible bow response and clear tone
• Material: Tinned High-Carbon Steel — clear, focused top voice with bright projection
• Ending: Ball End — quick installation at the tailpiece
• Compatible With: Viola, long-scale (electric and acoustic)
• Playing Length: 380 mm — fits 16–16½ inch body length

Who This String Is For

This replacement string is the right choice for electric violists who play NS-Design instruments and need a top string that stays clear, focused, and responsive under amplification. Intermediate students moving up to their first electric viola and seasoned professionals performing in amplified chamber groups, jazz ensembles, and crossover settings will all benefit from the stranded steel core's fast bow response and the medium tension's balanced feel under the fingers. Players who occasionally switch between electric and acoustic instruments will appreciate that this string also works on standard acoustic violas in the 16–16½ inch range, providing a brighter, more articulate E voice than typical gut or synthetic alternatives. Designed and manufactured in D'Addario's New York facility, it carries the same quality control as the full NS Electric Viola String Set, making it a reliable single-string replacement rather than a compromise.