Welcome to the Larsen String Club

[Adam R Sweet]

Who uses Larsen strings? What do you think of them? What are you doing to maximize their output?

[Adam R Sweet]

I first started using Larsen strings about 2000 or so when I met Andrew Glasser, the owner of Glasser Bows. A colleague of mine and I went to his factory in the Bronx to learn how he puts hair on his fiberglass sticks (with plastic plugs, screws and other torture methods), to see his hair inventory (over a ton of cheap horse hair) and to talk business.

At the time, I had been using Dominants for many years. I had tried every kind of string on the market. I worked at a violin shop and had lots of strings at my fingertips to try, besides, it was my job to know about strings and accessories, so I "tasted" them on a regular basis. But Larsens were only available (or so I thought) to cello players, so I never tried them. I heard about this "magical" Larsen cello A string that everyone insisted go on their instrument of course, so I knew the name.

Andrew was the exclusive importer of Larsen strings and told me that they now had a violin set, a viola set in addition to their cello set. I was interested in trying. I put a set on each of my violins including the 1848 Markneukirchen, the 1906 Bonaparte Squier and the '00 Brunkalla 5 String. The response was immediate. The first thing I noticed were bell tones that I had never heard from all instruments. Secondly, I noticed higher highs, not bright highs, but lovely smooth highs that I had never heard before. And later, subtle lows and chocolate tones from beneath that were so gentle - the overall impression I got was that these strings brought out hidden tones from each of the instruments.

I felt, as I do today, that I had something special - and I wanted to share it. I tell all of my students about Larsen strings. I don't distribute them or make any money off them. I just think they are fantastic.

What do you think?

[Mary Margaret]

ME! heh - just got them on my fiddle last Friday. Still need to retune a bit but nothing too drastic. Did you see Nancy's comments on hers vis-a-vis the rosin? I love their sound, Adam. The best description of the sound I can think of is "full bodied". I'm following Nancy's recommendation about keeping them really clean and I don't use a lot of rosin anyway. I bought mediums and also bought a set of heavies for my daughter as an experiment for us.

Thanks for mentioning these strings a while back - it was on your recommendation that I decided to buy them. I ordered them from Prodigy Instruments in Maryland.
-MM

[Kitty Herbert]

Like Mary Margaret, I've also bought a set at Adam's recommendation, but feel I need to get the wear out of the Dominant softs that are on at the moment. Very frustrating having to wait though!

[Jeremy Hughes]

Adam - I don't have Larsen strings but wanted to jump on this discussion to ask a question. I have been using Tomastik Dominants. Everyone says my fiddle is very "bright" sounding. It stands out in a session...emphasizing, of course, my mistakes! Is there a set of strings that will soften or mellow my fiddle somewhat?

[Adam R Sweet]

Larsens work great because they emphasize the tones that are more subtle, the "hidden" tones in an older instrument. If your fiddle is very bright sounding, you might try a set of Larsens to soften the highs and bring out the undertones and more subtle tones beneath.

[Lee Harvey]

I'm going to switch over to Larsens on your recommendation my friend. By the way, the last pound of bow hair you sent me is fantastic. Manchurian LIVE is the best bow hair for professional players, hands down! And thanks also for inviting me to this great site!

[Nancy T H]

Jeremy, try the Larsen Tziganes. I went from Dominants to these and I agree with Adam about the complexity and subtlety of their sound. They really bring out the best tone my antique fiddle has to offer. I've had them on just a week now and look forward to playing them every day. PS--mine are the "soft" ones (with the blue winding at the peg ends). Maybe Adam can explain about the different grades and how one should choose. I went with the ones recommended by my luthier, Ron Pinkham, at Woodsound Studio. One other fun factoid: I read somewhere on the Web that they're called "the gypsy strings"--very romantic!

[Nancy T H]

Well, looking at the string packet again. I'm not sure about the "soft" part. I now see it says the Tzigane are Azure at the peg end (which all 4 of mine are) but I think the weight I have is actually the Medium, not the Soft. I only saved one of the packets, so I'm a little confused about this.

[Mary Margaret]

Nancy - I bought mediums for myself and heavies for my daughter, We thought it would be an interesting experiment to check out the differences in the gauges. She has an older violin - maybe 90-100 years old - and mine is a new one. ALSO - I did not buy the Tzgane strings. At least, I think I did not.... ???
-MM

[Nancy T H]

I think it would say Tzigane on the package if that's what you got. I think Larsen makes some different ones.

[Sylvia Bingham]

Ok now you got me interested. I will see if I can try them soon. Where do I get Larsens? Can I order them online?

[Nancy T H]

I got them from my local shop, but I'm sure they are available online as well.