Playing Hub

Players’ string choices: Strings of the stars

2022-11-10T09:29:00

Sol_Gabetta_2017-4083 2018b © Julia Wesely

How does string selection affect a performer’s sound? Leading artists who’ve recently appeared in The Strad’s pages or online discuss the strings they use and why

 Sol Gabetta, cello 

I have played Larsen strings for the last 20 years and am now a Larsen artist. Three of the strings I play are Larsen, more specifically Magnacore. I am currently working with Larsen on the C string. My Larsen choice also depends on the season. I usually use Magnacores, but if my instrument has a lot of pressure due to temperature changes, I will use a Soloist for my D string, because it has a lower tension than the Magnacore. It means I can have a better balance and the cello is freer. But mostly I play Magnacores…

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