Oliv Cello C String

I’ve tried the three principal Pirastro gut G and C strings, Gold, Eudoxa, and now Olive. All are well made, the Golds are favored by some early music folks who are frustrated by round-wound baroque reproduction strings (modern strings are flat-wire wound). I remember playing on gold strings as a lad many years ago, when they and Eudoxa were the most commonly used lower strings. They are very good strings, with a somewhat softer, somewhat grittier character than Eudoxa and Olive. The principal differences in these three types is that the Gold offer a lower tension range, the Olive a higher tension (more modern type), and the Eudoxa overlap with the other two. The Olive offer a gut equivalent to modern tension and response for the modern player, the others offer a variety of coloration and response from baroque adjacent through the modern era into the present day.

As a longtime player of gut, I can say with confidence that the Oliv C is the best such string on the market. It's stiff enough to be played in modern repertoire, pliable enough to be easy to play, and stable enough in pitch to be great in any situation. Enjoy!

After years of experimenting, and I mean REALLY trying everything, I am fully committed to Pirastro and their gut strings. Oliv cello strings, and in my case, the stark/thickest gauge, do absolute wonders for my cello. I pair the thick C, G, and D with the Perpetual Solo Strong A or Passione Strong A. If you find yourself in the market for new strings and have a luthier close by for any transition adjustments needed (grooves of nut or bridge), give them a try. Give them a REAL TRY, like at least a couple of weeks. You may hate them, or, like me, they may change your life forever, spoiling you with a new type of sound that just isn't possible with an all steel string setup.

It took about 2-3 days to stabilize, but the string has a nice, full, and warm sound. Can be troublesome to tune at time but I think it's worth for the sound. Shipping took a little longer than estimated but no worries there.

I've been using Oliv strings for eight years and I love them! The C string in particular, has wonderful resonance and strong warm qualities. If you haven't played it before you have to get used to it as it is a thick string. If you and your cello like it, stay with it. Personally, I can never go back to steel again. I love gut strings!