11 Best Cello Strings (Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced)

• What are the best cello strings for different playing styles?
• What are the best strings for beginners?
• Learn about the best materials for cello strings

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So, you’re looking for some suggestions about what cello strings to buy next. If you’ve just suffered from a broken string, we feel your pain.

But sometimes even when your strings are at their best, it’s still not good enough.

Poor quality strings are ultimately detrimental to your playing experience, as well as the overall sound of your instrument.

Here we present the best options for the professional cellist, intermediate players, and also for those who are just starting out.

At the end, we include some key tips so you can make the best possible decision!

11 Best Cello Strings

1. Evah Pirazzi Strings (Our Pick)

Evah Pirazzi are already a classic in the world of cello strings, and also for the whole string family, including violin, viola, and double bass.

Ideal for advanced and intermediate players, Evah Pirazzi strings achieve a tone that is warm in the mids, deep in the lows, and expressive and bright in the highs without being too sharp.

They are made of Steel Core/Steel & Tungsten Winding, so their level of workmanship is excellent. They have a lifespan of about a year, but after about six months they will start to lose some shine (which does not necessarily result in a poor sound).

The only real downside of the Evah Pirazzi strings is their price: you can currently get them for about $300.

Yes, that’s quite a lot of money for a set of strings, but, believe us, it’s worth the investment!

2. Larsen Soloist Strings

Just as the first place goes, without a doubt, to Evah Pirazzi’s set, few could be against highlighting the Larsen Soloist as a great cello string.

It is very common to find excellent cellists who, while not using the complete set, do choose to combine the A and D strings with two lower strings, perhaps from Spirocore, or even the Larse Magnacore.

This is because they are particularly effective for the higher register of the cello, and are world-famous for that. Made of alloy steel, they have a warm sound and are able to project the sound very well.

In addition, they are somewhat cheaper than the Evah Pirazzi, so they end up being an exquisite choice. You can find them for around 250 dollars.

3. Spirocore by Thomastik-Infeld (Best For Intermediate)

An extremely popular pick, the Spirocore are often paired with Larsen Soloists. They are mainly used in custom-made sets, in which G and C of Spirocore play a leading role.

They respond nimbly with a complex and deep sound, which is why they are so popular with intermediate-level cellists, as well as professionals.

The price? You can get them for about $125.

4. A Combination of Larsen Soloist and Spirocore (Premium Pick)

As we said before, one possibility is the combination of the Larsen Soloists, mainly its two higher strings, with other options for the lower strings.

This option, adding Spirocore C and G, is a possibility used by many cellists around the world.

It combines the expressiveness, agility, and projection of Larsen strings in the treble with the depth and warmth of Spirocore strings in the bass.

Made of Tungsten, you can find this combination for around $330, only a little more expensive than the Evah Pirazzi set, making it an excellent choice!

5. Thomastik-Infeld Dominant Pro

An excellent option, within what we could call the “high end” of cello strings. For a price of approximately 235 dollars, these strings will surely work very well on your cello.

With this set, the A string projects the treble very well, and the lower register strings respond with speed and efficiency.

This is helped by the fact that both G and C are made of Tungsten, which makes them respond effectively when playing.

As with the Spirocore, also from Thomastik-Infeld, it is very common to combine the lower strings (G and C), with the upper strings of other brands.

The Larsen Soloist is one of the most chosen options for this.

6. Jargar Medium

Undoubtedly, a classic for cello students. Made in Denmark, all four strings have chrome steel winding with a solid steel core and a ball end.

These strings are known for having a stable and even sound that works well in cheap or non-professional cellos.

In addition, their cost -usually just under $100- makes them a very desirable option for those who are just starting out with the instrument and don’t want to make a significant investment yet.

Overall, the Jargar Medium strings are super reliable and highly recommended!

7. D’Addario J1010 Prelude Set (Best For Beginners)

Made from solid steel, these strings have established themselves, as one of the best options for beginner cellists.

Durable and resistant, they have a distinctive warm tone. They will soften a little over time and end up being really comfortable strings.

For this reason, they are recommended for those who are taking their first steps with the instrument.

The price-quality ratio is practically unbeatable: they cost only 50 dollars.

8. D’Addario Helicore

Medium tension, stranded steel core, these strings are ideal for intermediate-level cellists.

Perhaps without the projection and complexity of sound that the higher-end strings have, they are a great option, as they respond easily to the player (specifically to the bow), and have a very pleasant tone.

They cost around $140 which is very good value for strings of this caliber.

9. D’Addario Kaplan

Without being as popular as the Spirocore, Evah Pirazzi, or Larsen strings, this set has gained more recognition in recent times.

G and C are made of tungsten. At around $200, they are in the higher range and this is justified by the excellent balance between the lower and upper strings.

We recommend this brand, and urge intermediates and experts to experience their rich and complex sound, their quick response in the lows, and their warmth in the high register.

10. Pirastro Obligato

This set of strings has a special feature, in that they are a combination between gut strings and synthetic core strings. For about 250 dollars, they are well worth it.

You will find in these strings a very rich combination between the overtones and warmth of the gut strings, and the quick response with increased stability of the synthetic ones.

Even if it is not your definitive choice, we recommend you experiment with these strings, as you may find you end up really liking this combination.

11. Larsen Magnacore

Made out of tungsten, this set of strings is particularly recognized for its resistance.

It should be noted that, in the beginning, they need to be “softened” for a while, so that they begin to show their true potential.

After this first warming-up period, the cellist will find a strong and complex sound, with very resistant strings that go the distance.

Their high price -approximately $350 for the whole set- places them firmly in the high-end tier.

The lower strings (C and G) are usually combined with the upper strings of other brands (a very common option is to use A and D from Larsen Soloist).

Summing Up

We hope you find this article useful, and that it can work as a kind of guide for you to get the strings you really need. 

Try out different thicknesses, materials, and other combinations. Certain strings will work better for certain playing styles.

Always remember that the sound depends on the cello, the bow, and the strings, but most of all, it depends on you!

FAQ’s

How often should I change cello strings?

If it is within your means, we suggest that you change the cello strings at least once a year. After this period, little by little, the strings lose their quality.

If you don’t change strings, the sound becomes poorer, and it is even more difficult to tune.

What impacts the sound and tone of cello strings?

It depends on a few things. First of all, the thickness: strings have different diameters (gauges), which has a consequence on the sound.

Thicker strings usually provide a fuller and richer sound, but on the other hand, sometimes those strings have a lower response and are not too agile.

This happens mainly with the lower strings (G and C).

Tungsten strings are widely used because they are not too thick and respond quickly to the bow.

Secondly, the material the strings are made of also has an impact on the sound. At first, strings were made of animal gut, but now they are generally made of synthetic material wrapped in metal coil or solid metal.

As discussed, rather than a complete set of the same brand, a combination of different brands works very well.

In general, C and G of one brand and D and A of another are used.

Some combinations that are widely used are as follows: A and D Larsen Soloist, G and C Spirocore; A and D Larsen Soloist and G and C Larsen Maganacore, A and D Larsen Soloist, G and C Thomastik Belcanto Gold.

Remember, also, that after playing you should always clean the strings where the bow goes, between the bridge and the fingerboard, to avoid the accumulation of rosin.

In this way, you help them to keep a good sound, and not to get damaged as easily.

What strings do famous cello players use?

There’s no one brand that is favored by all players, so let’s take a look at a few different examples…

The legendary British cellist Steven Isserlis tends to use gut strings: Pirastro Oliv C string and the Eudoxa range, also by Pirastro, for the A, D, and G.

YoYo Ma, on the other hand, uses Jargar A and D combined with a Spirocore silver G and C.

Internationally renowned cellist Amit Peled plays with Evah Pirazzi strings (our number one!).

Wendy Warner, on the other hand, chooses to use Larsen Soloist on the A and D strings, with Spirocore on the G and C.