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String tension has a significant effect on the response of instruments and we decided to put together this string tension chart to show the tensions of all major cello string types, in order to help players to make comparisons between different brands more easily

*Please note that most manufacturers publish string tensions for A-440Hz tuning and a vibrating string length of 700mm. However, Pirastro’s published data is based on a 690mm string length. We would like to thank Professor Jim Woodhouse of Cambridge University’s Engineering Department for confirming that 3% is the correction to apply to make Pirastro’s data comparable to other manufacturers. We have stated the adjusted figure in brackets after Pirastro’s published data.

For reviews of A and D strings, click here.
For reviews of G and C strings, click here.
For an article about string construction, click here.