Marion,

Your question motivated me to do some research on the Dr. Thomastik line of strings. I was wrong in my post above. The correct strings are the Dr. Thomastik Superflexible model. These have the "rope core" that I distinctly remember being advertised on the package. These are wonderful strings to play. If you can find a set in a shop, ask to see one of the strings. It should have a shiny light blue thread wrapping at the ball end of each string. Thomastik strings are color coded to identify model.

They seem to be available in both aluminium and chrome winding. The aluminium tends to wear more quickly so I'd go with the chrome. Here is one Web source for the strings, here is a description and Thomastik tailpiece with the built in fine tuners.

You'll want to have someone very skilled in the art "make" (shape) a bridge with fiddling in mind. The standard classical bridge will be too arched for most fiddling and probably too tall for your new Thomastik strings. Don't take all the strings off at the same time as this may relieve pressure on the belly and cause the sound post to fall down.

Good luck,

      - Mark