Larsen Strings’ New Offerings for Violists and Cellists

By Megan Westberg | From the January/February 2025 issue of Strings

String players will often begin their training long before they have grown into full-size instruments. To give budding musicians a tuneful start, the most must be made of fractional instruments, from which it can, at times, be challenging to coax an encouraging and satisfying tone. With this in mind, Larsen Strings has recently released new sets of its Aurora strings for viola that are specifically designed for fractional instruments, sizes 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4. The nylon-core strings are meant to deliver quick response and “easy playability,” with an emphasis on player comfort. Their tone is described as fairly focused and midway between brilliant and warm. Aurora strings are also available for full-size violas, and vibrating lengths for the entire line range from 27 cm (1/8 size) up to 37 cm (full size), accommodating players from age four on up. 

But Larsen Strings isn’t only offering something new to aspiring young violists. While supplies last, the company is also extending a tempting opportunity to cellists. Recognizing that its Original and Soloist A & D strings are part of a popular string lineup, Larsen has created a limited-edition set that includes two A strings (either Original or Soloist), two D strings (also either Original or Soloist), an Il Cannone Direct & Focused G, and an Il Cannone Warm & Broad C string. The combination is meant to give cellists a balance of power and warmth. Original and Soloist strings have solid steel cores, and the A and D strings are wound in stainless flat wire. Il Cannone G and C strings have steel rope cores and are wound in tungsten. 

Aurora Fractional Viola Strings

• Available for 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 sizes

• Nylon core

• Focused tone midway between brilliant and warm

• Designed for quick response and easy playability

• $87 per set (street)

Limited-Edition Cello Set

• Two Original or Soloist A & D strings (solid steel cores; stainless steel flat wire winding)

• One Il Cannone Direct & Focused G (steel rope core; tungsten winding)

• One Il Cannone Warm & Broad C (steel rope core; tungsten winding)

• While supplies last

• $309 (street)

   larsenstrings.com