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C E L L O S
Cellos for sale
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Cellos by Robin Aitchison
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Cello set-up
C E L L O E X C H A N G E
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S T R I N G T R I A L S
String Trials
A B O U T U S
Cello specialists
Biographies
Feedback from cellists
Travelling to Ely
Contact us
C E L L O C A R E G U I D E
Cello Care Guide
Order free copies
A R T I C L E S & N E W S
Articles and Newsletters
L I N K S
Links
C E L L O S
Cellos for sale
Bows for sale
Cellos by Robin Aitchison
Video Gallery
Cello set-up
C E L L O E X C H A N G E
Cello exchange
S T R I N G T R I A L S
String Trials
A B O U T U S
Cello specialists
Biographies
Feedback from cellists
Travelling to Ely
Contact us
C E L L O C A R E G U I D E
Cello Care Guide
Order free copies
A R T I C L E S & N E W S
Articles and Newsletters
L I N K S
Links
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String Trials
for Conservatoire Students
There are many ways to enhance a cello’s
sound, but one of the simplest is to experiment with new strings.
The choice of string makes a huge difference to the style
of sound produced by a cello. Of course the underlying qualities
and characteristics of the instrument remain unchanged but strings can
overlay its tonal character in just the way that the colour of an
instrument’s varnish can influence its visual character.
We offer string trials as an economical way for
students to explore a selection of both new and familiar strings by makers
such as D’Addario, Jargar, Larsen, Pirastro and Thomastik-Infeld.
Assistance during string trials is given by Robin Aitchison
who will assess instruments, fit strings and listen, giving feedback, advice
and practical support throughout the process.
At the beginning of each session we ask the owner to play
to us and to express what he/she is looking for in the cello’s sound
or response. At this stage it can also be helpful for the luthier to feel
the response of each string under the bow.
Once we have all agreed on the objective of the trial, we
assess the character of the cello and check for any problems in its
set up which might already be compromising tone.
The strings available for trial are:
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D’Addario:
Helicore and Kaplan Solutions
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Jargar: Standard and
Silver Sound
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Larsen: Standard,
Soloist and Wire Core
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Pirastro: Eudoxa, Oliv, Evah Pirazzi Standard and Soloist,
Passione, Permanent
Standard and Soloist and Obligato
-
Prim
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Thomastik-Infeld: Dominant and Spirocore
String trials take place in our studio in Ely,
Cambridgeshire and need to be booked well in advance. There is
no obligation to buy any of the strings tested.
String trials are free for full time conservatoire and
university students.
All unwanted used good quality strings are donated to
Buskaid.
To arrange a string trial, please
contact us.
For reviews of
cello strings see the following articles:
A and D string review
G and C string
review
New Cello Strings 2009
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A Sample Cello String Trial
A conservatoire student brought her Dresden School cello
strung with Jargar medium C, G and D strings and a Jargar Dolce A. She
explained that she was unhappy with the woolly, muffled tone of her C
string and wanted a richer tone with greater clarity without compromising
the bright quality of her A string. We played the instrument to test the
resistance under the bow and also checked the cello’s general condition
and set up.
We agreed to embark on a ‘grand tour’ of C strings by
Larsen, D’Addario, Thomastik and Pirastro. Some strings didn’t have
enough clarity for this particular cello, whilst others performed well but
suppressed the top end of the instrument. In the end we selected a
Spirocore Tungsten C for its rich, gravelly, clear-edged sound.
Not surprisingly, the existing Jargar G did not match the
new Spirocore C, so after some experimentation we settled on a Spirocore
Chrome G. We then went straight on to test A strings. Although the
player was happy with her Jargar A, we encouraged her to try other strings
to see if she could get an even better result. She played through
Permanent, Jargar, Helicore and Larsen Standard with varying results and
settled on a Larsen Soloist Medium A which was similar in effect to the
original Jargar Dolce but sounded more colourful.
Finding a D string to create an even response through the
middle and upper registers of the cello was quite a challenge. The
eventual solution, a Pirastro Permanent, worked extremely well for the
cello. The string trial lasted for 1½ hours, during which the cellist
tried over £750 worth of strings.
For a survey of strings, see the following article:
Core
Strategy
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