Oliv Cello A String

I have been using gut strings for quite some time now. I use the thick gauge Oliv for my whole set with the thickest Passione A on top. I have heard that the a string can be problematic. This is 30 seconds into slowly turning up the string to pitch. The gut and the metal weren't hitting each other correctly and the winding opened immediately at the top and bottom of the string and itstarted to unravel. My cello is set up for gut, so it wasn't a bridge or nut groove issue. Concord was fantastic and offered to either replace or refund if I send to the Pirastro US office. 5-Star if the string didn't fail. I have used it before and love it.

The sound of the string is easier to shape. It has a slightly bright tone and is noticeably more colorful in in the lower half of the string than the steel strings I’ve tried. The tone quality is still good beyond that, but response can get tricky in the highest position. I’m not sure how well it projects (though it kept up with the Obligato D when I had it on), but it bows out to too much weight. The Oliv “A” is takes about 2 days to play in and stabilize. It started unwinding after about 2 weeks but can reportedly last about 2 months. I would recommend using the heavy-gauge string because the medium still bows out with too little weight, though you’ll probably have more issues in the higher thumb positions. The light gauge is too sensitive to the touch of the bow. I can't give it a 5 just because of lifespan vs cost, but the Oliv “A” String has a sound that can’t be matched by steel strings. Grab one 1-2 weeks before a performance, but, otherwise, save your money.

It's brighter and louder than the Eudoxa, though I'm not sure if the quality is any better than the Eudoxa. If you're doing pre-20th century music as a period music musician, you might want to use a pure gut. Or if you want to play most of the rep, try this or Eudoxa.