it`s me again. this time i need to find a good set of strings. What`s a good brand. my A string broke today. I guess i tightened it oo much. Thanx in advance.

It all depends on your cello. If you have a really crappy rental cello, don`t bother wasting your money one a good pair of strings.

On the other hand....
If you have a decent cello try these strings.

-Obligato (expensive, but its what I use, synthetic)
-Thomastik Dominant (Metal?)
-Eudoxa(Gut)
-Eva Pirazzi (what I use for my a-string) (Synthetic)

There are tons more. It also depends on what types of strings do you prefer. Do you like the gut sound or strings with a metal core?

Gut strings are the deepest and richest sound made of natural materials therefore making them the most expensive. They are also very sensitive in humidity and temperature changes so they will go out of tune quickly.

Sythentic strings are made to sound like gut strings. They are not as deep, but they are more brilliant in sound. They are priced about the same, if not more than gut strings. They will resist temperature and humidity changes.

Metal core strings have a brighter sound and they will not go out of tune easily. They are preferred mostly by professionals and students alike.

Rope core strings are the brightest sound and they will not go out of tune. These are the cheapest string, but if you like the tone and quality projected from this string, then go ahead and use it!

Hope this helps. Ashley.

Those strings mentioned are very good student strings. I personally use a much more expensive set. I just ordered a set, and the A and D strings were the Spirocore chrome wound, and the G and C are Spirocore Tungsten. The top two strings are very bright, and if you`ve ever experimented with strings and come across the Helicore strings, the Spirocore are very similar, though the break-in period is much shorter with the latter. I`ve talked to many professionals in my local Philharmonic orchetra, and they (in general) prefer the Spirocore Tungsten wound string for G and C. But, again, like Ashley said, it all depends on your instrument. I have a very expensive cello, and I like the higher quality strings. On my previous cello, I didn`t care much, though when I play my old cello now, I do notice a difference. Talk to your teacher. Many students like the Thomastik Dominants (mentioned in the previous post). They are reasonably priced, and sound decent. Anyway, that`s my two cents.




Titus

Which Strings are the strongest? I was tuning the A string and it broke. I don`t know how much i should tighten it.

Buddy, if you broke a string, you were probably tuning to the A and octave too high. Go to the A directly below middle C, and that`s the one you should tune to. If you`re using a metronome A, then it is usually the a and octave below that A. It`s rare that you break a string when it is tuned to the proper A, unless your string was really really used, and weak. Anyway, find someone to help you tune it up the first couple of times.



Titus

On breaking cellos strings. tHe other possibility is that there is a wear point at or above the nut or possibly on the bridge itself. A common porblem is a rough edge to the groove in the nut which makes the string `catch` and eventually can lead to premature wear. CHewcki it out for smoothness.

do i tune to the a inside the staff or above it. I`m confused.

The A on the top line, below middle C.

Liz

it`s the one that`s on the fifth line of the staff right?

What are you using to tune? If you are in bass clef then it is the A on the "5th" line up (the very top line).




Titus

ok i get it. thanx