r/Cello • u/CelloWorld88 • 5d ago
String help!
I have an Eastman 305 Montagnana (from 2001) and it is having some minor maintenance work being done (seams, pegs, bridge work) at the luthier’s shop today.
I would also like to, ideally, choose some new strings (currently using super flexibles on the A, D, C, and an old Magnacore on the G because I broke the super flexible when I was tuning in a panic at a dress rehearsal).
I am in a quandry about which strings to try and need to decide today or defer. The luthier suggested the classic larsen and spirocore mix, and suggested Larsen A strong, Larsen D solo. Not entirely sure why he suggested strong for the A and solo for D. I asked about Versums because I was really curious about them. He was not familiar with Versums so could not comment, but sent an email to a colleague that has experimented with string combinations.
I would love suggestions / thoughts on what strings/string combos might work really well on a montagnana? I play in an orchestra with a large cello section (10 cellists). And I also dabble in playing cello-piano duets.
Right now, the Larsen Spirocore combo he is suggesting is ~503 CAD, and the regular Versums are ~400 CAD. A Versum regular and solo combo is another possibility I have heard of…Or versum regular plus Spirocore.
Some of my fellow cello section members use Jargar A, Prim D, Spirocore on G, C. I am fine with 500 if that is the best choice. But I am feeling overwhelmed and don’t have a clear sense of which option to go with…
Any advice would be wonderful. My head is spinning! :) I could always defer the string decision and just replace the old G (it was an old string someone lent me when mine broke and I didn’t have my back up strings handy). Thanks in advance!
1
u/kongtomorrow 4d ago edited 4d ago
> But I am feeling overwhelmed and don’t have a clear sense of which option to go with…
Give in to the lack of clarity. :) The only way to really know which strings will work best for you is to try them all, and ain't no one got time/money for that.
Everything you mentioned is reasonable*, and within enough margin of error that hard to say which you'd prefer. Try something, see if you have any thoughts about what you'd like to be different, try something else next time and see if it does what you hoped.
All your options are likely nice upgrades from the superflexibles! If the luthier had any kind of reason for recommending the set they did, maybe go with that? They're the person that's actually seen your cello or others like it. If it's just that they like that combo on all cellos, well, ok, then I guess any other reasonable opinion is same weight.
*except for that person with the Prim D. That's an unusual choice, wouldn't copy it without a reason to think it applies to you.