I was looking on eBay for strings and came across these. I'm looking for a set of new strings but I don't want to have to pay through my nose. I'm a bit confused on brands, too. My current strings have red thread at the top and bottom. Does anyone know what brand they are? The new one's that I'm looking at have purple tops and bottoms. My teacher said that she thinks they would be Piastro Flexicores but I'm not sure. Can anyone help...?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160024916623

Sounds like your current strings are Thomastik Spirocore (Medium Gauge).

I wouldn't bother with these strings on eBay.

Red silk at the top and bottom?
Could be Spirocores.

The picture on the ebay ad isn't quite clear, but 5 pounds for a G string?
You get what you pay for!

The ball doesn't look like Pirastro's.

You want good orchestral strings?
Get the real thing; like Flexocors, the new Belcantos, Jargars.
If you want an hybrid string for both arco and pizz work, Corellis are a good choice.

Also check this:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=317488

Also check this:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=317488

Thanks a lot. I contacted him.;)