Buying Guide - Strings
Choosing your Wilh. Steinberg strings Instrument
Our short guide on the best string instruments models for players of all levels:
PS series (Performance)
GS series (Grand Soloist)
LS series (Legendary Soloist)
RS Series (Renaissance)
Brand Introduction
The first WILH. STEINBERG piano factory was founded in 1877, in Eisenberg, Germany. WILH STEINBERG combined its hundred years of experience in studying sound and wood for strings instruments with scrupulous detail in every procedure from wood to craftsmanship to assembly. Each instrument is made with well-seasoned wood selected carefully by experienced craftsmen, combined with the unique formulated oil varnish from WILH. STEINBERG.
All WST string instruments are made under the supervision of Master Scott Shu-Kun Cao. Master Cao is one of the most famous luthiers in the world and creates instruments renowned for their exquisite tone, strong sound projection, and elegant appearance.
What to consider when choosing your WST string instruments?
Wood age
Generally, the older the instrument’s wood is, the better the instrument is to project the sound and the purer its tone. Depending on the model range, WST instruments are made of wood that has undergone a drying process of up to more than 25 years.
Top Wood
Top wood is the main vibrating body of the string instrument. Spruce from northern Italy are the most commonly used for WST tops, since the density is high, the growth rings are evenly distributed, and the wood surface is covered with light spots like fish scales.
Back Wood
Back wood has the effect of reflecting sound vibrations, so it has to be of high density and flexible. Maple wood from the Acer family is mostly used for WST instruments because it has good acoustic qualities and is aesthetically pleasing.
Varnish
In addition to contributing to the aesthetics, the ideal varnish should be thin and be long-lasting, its acoustic effect should make the instrument sound rich. All WST instruments uses antique oil finish which has a unique appearance as well as its unique acoustic properties.
Styles
Historically known luthiers all have distinctive characteristic style designs. WST offers different styles to choose from such as Stradivari’s “Soil”, “Cremonese”, Guarneri’s “Cannon”, “King Joseph” and others.
Bridge
The bridge should stand on the bridge line, slightly tilted back. The size of the bridge in all directions affects the vibration. Most WST instruments uses the French Aubert Bridge.
Our Wilh. Steinberg String Instruments
Violins
1.PS Series (Performance Series)
The PS Series uses aged wood of generally 3 – 5 years. It targets the aspiring violinists and offers a wide range of models, including PS200, PS300, PS300S, PS400 and PS500. Customized with maple back, spruce top and ebony fingerboard, carbon fiber bow, PS series violins features unique hand-varnishing and offer rich low-ends and bright treble tones.
2.GS Series (Grand Soloist)
The GS Series uses European wood aged of generally 5 – 10 years, are handcrafted by skilled craftsman and can be fully customizable. They are made from exceptional selection of well-aged Italian Spruce top, European Flamed Maple back, Brazilian wooden bow, and French Aubert Mirecourt bridge. Each GS series instrument can be fully customizable for individual needs. In addition, GS700 features a single-piece back which further enriches the harmonics and sound projection.
3.LS Series (Legendary Soloist)
The LS Series uses wooden material seasoned well over 10 years with the finest antique varnishing, making each LS instrument achieving the requirements of a concert recital. They feature the highest quality of craftsmanship and material, and uses Italian Spruce top, Bosnian Flamed Maple back, premium strings, French Aubert Luxe bridge, Brazilian wooden bow.
4.RS Series (Renaissance)
Being our flagship model, the RS Series only uses European wood that has been naturally seasoned over 25 years. They feature Italian Spruce top, Bosnian Flamed Maple back, Evah Pirazzi strings, French Aubert DeLuxe bridge, Brazilian wooden bow. Every RS Series instrument is made by experienced luthier who have mastered the “Tone wood knocking selection technique”. We offer a total of 10 different Renaissance models so players can fully customize their instrument based on their playing styles and needs.
Viola
1.PS Series
PSA300 uses 3—5 years of aged wood, features Italian Spruce top, Flamed Maple back, Brazilian wooden Bow, and French Aubert bridge.
2.GS Series
GSA600 features Italian Spruce top, Flamed Maple back, Brazilian wooden Bow, and French Aubert bridge. All the wooden material used in the GSA600 are seasoned over 5 years.
3.LS Series
We offer LSA1000 and LSA800, with wood aged over 15 years and 10 years respectively. The LS series features Italian Spruce top, Bosnian Flamed Maple back, Pernambuco Bow, and French Aubert DE LUXE bridge.
Cello
PS Series
PSC300 uses well selected wood aged between 3 – 5 years and boasts European Spruce top, Flamed Maple back, Brazilian wooden Bow, and French Aubert bridge.
GS Series
GSC600 uses wood aged between 5 – 10 years and features Italian Spruce top, European Flamed Maple back, Brazilian wooden Bow, and French Mirecourt bridge.
LS Series
LSC1000 uses wood aged more than 15 years, and features Italian Spruce top, Bosnian Flamed Maple back, Brazilian wooden Bow, and French Aubert DeLuxe bridge.