Reddit mentions of JSI Special 4/4 Violin String Set: Gold Label Loop-End E & Dominant A, D, and G Strings - Medium Gauge

I completely disagree. I have a surprisingly well made cheap violin (~200 $) that sounded pretty shit with some random cheap strings. I switched to dominant strings and Pirastro gold label E and it completely changed the tone and playability of my violin. The difference between good and bad strings is clear on any violin regardless of its quality.

The set of Dominants with Pirastro E is standard, but you want to pay careful attention. You want one of these two:

https://www.amazon.com/JSI-Special-Violin-String-Set/dp/B000V6E01I/ref=sr_1_7?crid=ZT52RD2Z3UFF&keywords=dominant+violin+strings+4+4+set&qid=1564428453&s=gateway&sprefix=dominant%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-7

https://www.amazon.com/JSI-Special-Violin-String-Set/dp/B000V6FY8Q/ref=sr_1_3?crid=ZT52RD2Z3UFF&keywords=dominant+violin+strings+4+4+set&qid=1564428453&s=gateway&sprefix=dominant%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-3

But which one you pick is going to depend on whether your E-string is a ball end or loop end. You should be able to easily tell by looking at how the E-string hooks into the fine tuner. Like people are saying, by the time an A-string breaks, it's long past time to change strings anyway.

Be careful taking the advice of people who like more premium strings. That's a question only you can answer after trying many different setups (some of which can cost up to double the ones linked above).

I am somewhat confused as to how you could already be a college sophomore and have never bought new strings -- idk, maybe your teacher always bought them? It's just a bit unusual -- but that's a question for some other time :)

For my entire life I've been using Dominants for G, D, and A, with a Pirastro Gold E.

Most violins' tailpieces, including mine, are set up to take ball-end E strings: https://www.amazon.com/JSI-Special-Violin-String-Set/dp/B000V6E01I/

But if yours is set up for a loop-end E string, they also make those: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V6FY8Q

The G, D, and A strings are always ball-end so you don't have to worry about those, if for whatever reason you move to buying strings separately rather than as a set. The Dominants+Gold E set is sold that way because many professionals use that combination, but many others have their own individual taste, sometimes even by mixing and matching strings form different makers.

To know which type of E string your tailpiece is set up to accept, this article could help: http://blog.sharmusic.com/blog/bid/81287/Do-You-Need-a-Loop-or-a-Ball-End-for-Your-E-string