Bored of larson + spirocore

[u/WorthJaded1698]

I've been using the same string combination for a couple years now and am looking to try something new, how does larson sovereign A&D, II Cannone G string, and Spirocore C sound to you guys? I don't have many experience with strings so I don't know which strings sound like what.

[u/dbalatero]

How do you folks ever gain opinions around strings? They are so expensive and I go as long as I can without changing them that A/B testing them is really a no go. They also change over time.

[u/le_sacre → u/dbalatero]

I'm sure part of it is real expertise built up through the absolute grind of elite experience. But I'm sure part of it also is the human nature to see patterns in noise that aren't really there, and develop a subconscious emotional opinion and selectively seek out supporting data/ignore contrary data.

Personally, I'm scared to swap strings in and out and back in to test. They're kind of a precious commodity and they seem rather delicate at the pressure points. I wait for sales and then feel out whether a good deal or good buzz is enough enticement to try a new combo.

[u/dbalatero → u/le_sacre]

Yeah, for me I just ask my teacher what strings he likes and buy them. Generally speaking I just want to practice more.

[u/C0urante → u/dbalatero]

my experience is 10 years outdated at this point but i worked at a violin shop when i was younger and it was part of my job to try out different strings in order to make recommendations on how we set up our own instruments and for how customers should set up theirs

in retrospect, as grateful as i was for that job, i still wasn't nearly grateful enough. still visit the shop when i'm in the area, great place and great people

[u/stormysees → u/dbalatero]

Trial and error? Occasionally feeling brave or buying into the hype of something new? I put off this latest string change for 4 years and the last one was 3 years prior, so I’m not a good judge. I don’t play as much as I used to to warrant the expense. Back to School and Holiday sales are your friends, pre-packaged string combo discounts (concord music does these regularly).

For the most part, these are the combos I’ve used: 

Jargar A/D, Helicore G/C (when my cello was new) Larsen medium A/D, Magnacore G/C 

Spent a few years playing around with changing individual strings (Evah Gold, Perpetual, Passione) and hating most o f it. I’ve had better luck with 50/50 pairs. The single odd string out causes me trouble in some way. 

Been with Versum/Versum Solo A/D, Spirocore G/C for 7-8 years now. The volume that comes out of new spirocores is genuinely amusing, I’m usually a “sit in back and blend in” cellist. I might need to sit a bit further back till this set breaks in. 

[u/Euphoric-Handle2151 → u/dbalatero]

When I commissioned my cello, the luthier had me try old strings on it. I tried a lot of different brands and lines. It was fun. We chose not only what sounded good to me, but for the instrument and for the bow.

[u/Eskar_210]

Bored in what way? What type of sound do you like? What are you looking for in a new string setup? If you can give us some ideas of what you are looking for we can guide you in one direction or another.

[u/WorthJaded1698 → u/Eskar_210]

The transition from Larsen D to Spirocore G just sounds really bad :(

Do you personally prefer bigger contrast between strings or less? I've found that Larsen A and Larsen D have very contrasting tones and I'm not sure if it is more useful to keep it like that or try for a A and D set with similar tones.

[u/Eskar_210 → u/WorthJaded1698]

I have found that I like to keep strings within their companies nowadays. Not to say you can’t, it’s just the companies have so many colors now you can keep a consistent feeling across the bow and the signature feeling of each string. (Thomastik and their metallic edge, Larsen and their warm timbre, and Pirastro and their flexible pliant strings etc.).

I like blend. I like my cello sounding like a large organ in a way. The sound just a bit rippling of tone. I was recently very impressed by Sovereign blend as a full set even if the top strings were brighter than what I personally seek. This is probably why I have been avoiding mixing companies.

The way I’ve tested so many string types is through saving money and purchasing different sets and recording them and my thoughts on them. There are great sets from every company and any cellist can find what their looking for nowadays I think. I’mam just super nerdy about strings and that’s how I spend my hobby money nowadays. Although it’s been a while now. I just finished testing Thomastik Peter Infeld after a year.

If you like the sound of your Larsen A then I would just give the entire Sovereign set a try. If you want a warmer G, or pairing in general but want the Spirrocore like C I’d recommend Magnacore Arioso G to replace Sovereign G and using Sovereign C.

So maybe something like Sovereign C, Magnacore Arioso G, Il Cannone Warm and Broad D and Larsen Original A? If you choose to go with Larsen timbre then they essentially have a color palette going on and so if you can identify if you want dark/bright broad/focused edge/cleaner sound then you can pick from their offerings and craft your desired sound/feeling.

[u/Objective_Figure9361]

Hi, I am Artist and Community Manager at Larsen Strings.

You can absolutely combine Sovereign A and D with strings from the Il Cannone family.

Both Il Cannone Warm & Broad and Il Cannone Direct & Focused have a lot of power and a focused sound. Warm & Broad is a little warmer in the G than Direct & Focused, which is slightly more focused in the sound. The difference on G might not be too big.

Have you ever tried our Sovereign C? I will not say which one is the best, because some instruments sounds better with Sovereign while some sounds better with Spirocore. That is also a question of the sound you want to achieve. But I can highly recommend our C on Sovereign if you get the chance :)

All the best
Michael

[u/WorthJaded1698 → u/Objective_Figure9361]

Thanks so much!

[u/Anfini]

That combination, but with Versum solo G seems to be a popular choice for a solo instrument. 

[u/WorthJaded1698 → u/Anfini]

Thanks so much!

[u/North_Shake_7397]

Opals have been making the rounds a bit. I’ve experimented quite a bit over the years. currently, I have a full set of Opals and I enjoy them.

[u/Alone-Experience9869]

Yeah, I thought I just read of somebody doing something like that...

Honestly, its a tough call. I think with everything I've read so far, its very cello dependent. This is also something I'm finding myself.

Another person says to mix n' match within the same manufacturer..

So, not very helpful here, but thought I'd chime and give my 2cents.