Caswells Strings

Caswells Strings: half a century supplying string players

Caswells Strings is a specialist retailer of strings, bows, cases and accessories for violin, viola, cello and double bass. The company has 50 years of experience in the sector and operates through its physical shop, which is accessible by appointment only, and its online channel.

String catalogue for every instrument

The shop keeps a wide range of strings for the four main instruments of the bowed string family. The website organises the catalogue by instrument and allows filtering by brand, price or product name. The company states it holds one of the most comprehensive stocks of violin strings in the UK.

• Violin: strings for student, intermediate and advanced levels, with brands such as Dominant or Jargar.
• Viola: a range covering from student to performer, with options in different gauges.
• Cello: entry-level and high-end strings for solo performances.
• Double bass: complete stock to cover different needs.
• Electric instruments: strings specifically for electric instruments, such as the D’Addario NS developed together with Ned Steinberger.

Featured brands: Dominant and Jargar

Among the brands distributed, the website highlights Dominant, described as “the reference standard” for its multifilament synthetic core that offers warmth and feel similar to gut strings, with stability against humidity changes. The brand markets versions for violin, viola, cello and double bass.

Jargar, with artisanal manufacturing in Copenhagen (Denmark), produces steel strings with chrome winding. For violin they are offered in Dolce, Medium and Forte gauges, only in full size. For viola, with steel core and chrome winding, in Medium, Dolce and Forte. For cello, the range includes complete sets or individual strings in Medium, Forte and Dolce gauges, as well as smaller sizes and the new A and D Superior with greater volume and power.

Bows: from student to high-end examples

The range of bows for violin, viola, cello and double bass is very wide and changing, so the shop does not list them all on the website. The offer spans from economical student bows to pieces worth several thousand pounds. Carbon fibre bows, increasingly popular, offer an outstanding value-for-money alternative. The company allows selecting a bow according to the customer's needs or trying it in the shop by appointment.

Services for musicians and teachers

Caswells Strings offers a home trial service that allows receiving up to four bows by post to try at home. It also has an assisted instrument purchase scheme, a musical instrument insurance service and a teacher privilege card with discount. The shop also carries out repairs and restorations.

Instruments and accessories

In addition to strings and bows, the catalogue includes violins, violas, cellos and double basses organised by levels —student, advancing student and intermediate—, as well as electric instruments, cases and accessories. Customer service is provided by phone to help locate products or resolve doubts about string choice.