advice on good string

[Harvey]

Hi All

advice on good string combinations

 

  

Edited June 10, 2020 by Harvey

[Wood Butcher]

It depends on what you are hoping to achieve.

Do you feel there is a deficiency with the cello strings you currently use?

Are you looking to change the tone, the response or both?

Is this cello new to you, or something you have played for a long time?

Is the cost of strings an issue?

 

[David Burgess]

4 hours ago, Harvey said:

Hi All

advice on good string combinations

Depends on what properties you're looking for, and the strengths and weaknesses of your particular instrument.

Many high-level professionals are currently using some combination of Larsens on the upper one or two strings (some are still preferring Jargars), and Spirocores or Magnacores on the lower one, two or three strings. Up close, this will probably sound too "in your face" for many amateurs. Are you a professional performer, or just playing for your own enjoyment, and wishing for a pleasant sound under your ear?

[dpappas]

My son uses the string set David recommends (spirocores on the lower 2) and it is indeed an intense sound up close, which is a good thing if projection is the goal.  

[Michael H]

I’ve been having some good luck with Larsen Magnacore Arioso straight across the board. Their lower tension might typically yield better results on an older cello, but I have founded they sound great on everything I put them on.  They are a bit pricey, though. 

[Harvey]

On 6/10/2020 at 10:26 PM, Wood Butcher said:

It depends on what you are hoping to achieve.

Do you feel there is a deficiency with the cello strings you currently use?

Are you looking to change the tone, the response or both?

Is this cello new to you, or something you have played for a long time?

Is the cost of strings an issue?

 

thanks for the replyt!  - right now im using Spirocore for C & G and larsen magnacore for D & A - but my A just snapped and i changed it to my reserve string Crown by larsen - im looking for a more dynamic sound and also a great string responce - no the cost is not an issue

[Harvey]

On 6/11/2020 at 7:59 AM, Michael H said:

I’ve been having some good luck with Larsen Magnacore Arioso straight across the board. Their lower tension might typically yield better results on an older cello, but I have founded they sound great on everything I put them on.  They are a bit pricey, though. 

thanks for the reply!  - right now im using Spirocore for C & G and larsen magnacore for D & A - but my A just snapped and i changed it to my reserve string Crown by larsen - im looking for a more dynamic sound and also a great string response

[Harvey]

On 6/10/2020 at 11:00 PM, dpappas said:

My son uses the string set David recommends (spirocores on the lower 2) and it is indeed an intense sound up close, which is a good thing if projection is the goal.  

i see thanks for the reply

[Harvey]

On 6/10/2020 at 10:56 PM, David Burgess said:

Depends on what properties you're looking for, and the strengths and weaknesses of your particular instrument.

Many high-level professionals are currently using some combination of Larsens on the upper one or two strings (some are still preferring Jargars), and Spirocores or Magnacores on the lower one, two or three strings. Up close, this will probably sound too "in your face" for many amateurs. Are you a professional performer, or just playing for your own enjoyment, and wishing for a pleasant sound under your ear?

thanks for the reply!  - right now im using Spirocore for C & G and larsen magnacore for D & A - but my A just snapped and i changed it to my reserve string Crown by larsen - im looking for a more dynamic sound and also a great string response

[Wood Butcher]

13 hours ago, Harvey said:

thanks for the replyt!  - right now im using Spirocore for C & G and larsen magnacore for D & A - but my A just snapped and i changed it to my reserve string Crown by larsen - im looking for a more dynamic sound and also a great string responce - no the cost is not an issue

The crown is in no way as good, so most other strings will sound better frankly.

Normally I would suggest Larsen. Would you not consider another Magnacore A?

I have found the Thomastik Versum to be quite good, but I do not think that A will work with the other 3 strings you have.

 

[The Violin Beautiful]

Spirocore and Larsen is the combination I use the most and it’s the one my customers tend to prefer. I’ve put Magnacore and regular Larsen on a couple cellos and I’ve used Spirocore and Versum on a couple lately. The Versum seemed a little brighter. 

[Harvey]

10 hours ago, Wood Butcher said:

The crown is in no way as good, so most other strings will sound better frankly.

Normally I would suggest Larsen. Would you not consider another Magnacore A?

I have found the Thomastik Versum to be quite good, but I do not think that A will work with the other 3 strings you have.

 

i would love to get another Magnacore A but is it too fragile? and just be snapped again?

[Wood Butcher]

On 6/13/2020 at 4:37 AM, Harvey said:

i would love to get another Magnacore A but is it too fragile? and just be snapped again?

I would not have said so, no. This is assuming that there are no issues with the nut or bridge grooves on your cello, that they are the correct diameter to take that string, and the grooves are both well lubricated.

How long did the previous one last, and where did it break?

[Michael H]

On 6/12/2020 at 10:37 PM, Harvey said:

i would love to get another Magnacore A but is it too fragile? and just be snapped again?

I have had a lot of problems with Versum A strings and thread separation at the bridge. They do sound very good on some of my celli, but even with a parchment protector, it still separates. I do tend to swap strings around a lot, so maybe if you install and leave it, it may be fine. I can say the A is more fragile than any other string I have.

[Wood Butcher]

No strings enjoy being taken off and put back on again, even less so if they are being put on different instruments and then swapped back.
I'm not surprised they are breaking!