D'Addario J911 SM Viola Strings

Reliable Replacement A String for Short-Scale Violas

The D'Addario Prelude Viola Single A String, Short Scale, Medium Tension is engineered as a standalone replacement for the A position on violas sized between 13 and 14 inches in body length. Built on a solid steel core, the string is unaffected by temperature and humidity changes, which means it stays in tune and plays consistently from the cold rehearsal room to the warm recital stage. D'Addario's unique damping techniques give this single string the warmest sound available in an economy, solid steel core string design, while nickel winding adds the durability needed to survive daily student practice.

Short-scale violas require shorter playing lengths than full-size instruments, and this A string is gauged specifically to match that geometry, with a 330 mm playing length. Medium tension strikes a balance between bow response and finger comfort, making it well suited to developing players who are still building left-hand strength. As a single replacement, it lets a player swap out a worn or broken A without replacing the full set — an economical approach for school rental programs and home studios.

Technical Specifications

• String: A (single replacement string)
• Core: Solid steel
• Winding: Nickel wound
• Tension: Medium
• Scale: Short scale — fits 13–14 inch (330–356 mm) viola body lengths
• Playing Length: 330 mm
• Ending: Ball end
• Compatible With: Viola

Who It's For

Students, teachers, and rental programs will find this replacement A string a dependable choice for short-scale violas in the 13–14 inch body range. Its solid steel core and nickel winding hold up to the rigors of daily practice and frequent tuning, while the medium tension offers a balanced feel that supports developing technique without overtaxing small hands. School orchestra directors and private instructors will appreciate the warm, focused tone that helps young players hear a clear pitch on the A, and the economical single-string format makes it easy to keep a working viola in playing condition without buying a full set.