DAddario J910XSM Prelude Viola Extra Short Scale Medium Tension Set Prelude viola strings are solid steel core strings, unaffected by temperature and humidity changes, and have excellent bow response. Prelude strings have the warmest sound available in an economy, solid steel core string design. Prelude is the educators preferred choice for student strings due to their unique blend of warm tone, economy, and durability. Extra short scale strings are gauged specifically to fit extra short-scale viola (body length 12 inches and smaller) with a playing length of 12 inches (305mm).