Large Sanxian Strings

The three strings of the large sanxian are the laoxian, which is the thickest, the zhongxian in the middle, and the zixian, which is the thinnest. They are sold one at a time by string number, so a break does not force a whole new set. Beijing Xinghai offers a standard string and a reformed one; these are different specifications, so keep a single instrument on one or the other instead of mixing them. Dunhuang is a family of its own again, and a player who has settled on one maker is usually better off staying there.