The Cello is the Orchestra's Resident Tenor

*All outfits include the instrument, case, bow, and rosin.

MCH stocks several strings from various string manufacturers from around the world. However, we don't stock each of those manufacturers' string models. Please click here for a list of the strings that we stock and some brief descriptions.

Recommended Cello Accessories

Mutes: 

Performance (1 string fiddle copy, 2 string round)

Rosin: 

AB, Andrea Solo, Hidersine & Pirastro

Music Stand: 

Nomad NBS-1103, NBS-1306, NBS-1410

Tuner: 

Korg CA2 or Korg TM60 (tuner/metronome), Korg CM300 Clip-On Contact Mic, Korg AW-LT100V Clip-On (violin/viola only), Korg AW-LT100M Orchestral Clip-On Tuner

Metronome: 

Korg MA2, Korg TM60 (tuner/metronome), Seiko SQ50V, Korg KDM3

Strings

There are a few different string core materials. They are steel core, synthetic core, gut core, and the latest composite core strings. There are also various wrappings for each. Steel, chrome, and aluminum are the most common on the high strings (A on violin, A & D on viola and cello), with silver, tungsten, and chrome being the most common on the low strings (D & G on the violin, C & G on the viola and cello). The E string on the violin is wound or unwound with a steel core. Experimenting and finding the correct string for your instrument can be a fun but costly experiment. However, if you have a good, well-adjusted instrument, it can be worth the investment. 

Gut Core Strings

Gut strings (which we no longer stock) are made of sheep gut, wound with aluminum or silver, and for many classical musicians, are still the string of choice due to their warm sound, which is full of complexity and rich in overtones. The response is slower than synthetic core strings and has a lower tension, giving them a pliable feel under the fingers. Unfortunately, gut strings take longer to stretch than synthetic core strings and are more susceptible to temperature changes and humidity, which in Hawaii is quite commonplace. Gut strings will have to be tuned frequently during the first week of playing as it takes them longer to stretch.

Pirastro Olive (violin)

These premium strings have a brilliant sound with rich, complex overtones and fast response. The Olive E is gold-plated and has an unusually pure, clear, and brilliant sound.

Pirastro Eudoxa (violin)

One of the most popular strings before the introduction of synthetic core strings, the Eudoxa has a warm, mellow sound with a slower response than the Olive or synthetic core strings. Great on some older instruments. They can be a bit dull to others. The Eudoxa E is aluminum plated.

Steel Core Strings

Most (but not all) steel-core strings tend to have a brighter tone quality. The sound is usually straightforward but not very complex and with fewer overtones. Steel-core lines tend to be the fastest responding strings and are higher in tension and thinner than other types of strings. The least expensive of them tend to be edgy, tinny, and rough. The best are of a much higher quality. With steel core, there is very little expansion or contraction during temperature and humidity changes and, as a result, tend to stay in tune better than synthetic-core strings.

Supersensitive Red-Label

Recommended for all instruments, they are the lowest priced steel core strings. They are very durable, long-lasting, and quick responding. Supersensitive strings are very popular with school programs on a budget. 

D'addario Helicore

These strings are recommended for viola, cello, and bass. The Helicore strings are hot, which is quite unusual for a steel-string, and have become popular with violists and cellists. MCH also uses Helicore strings on our student violas, cellos, and basses. There are 3 types of Helicore strings for the bass player: Pizzicato, Hybrid, and the Orchestral strings. Pizzicato for the Jazz or Hawaiian Music bassist, Hybrid for the musician looking for good arco and pizzicato response, and the Orchestral for the purely orchestral musician.

Pirastro Chromcor

These strings are recommended for violin, viola, and cello. The Chromcor strings are quite bright and, like the Supersensitive Red Labels, are suitable for students with less expensive instruments or schools that are looking for long-lasting, durable strings, but with a more complex tone than the Supersensitive Red Label.

Jargar

These strings are recommended for violin, viola, or cello. The Jargar strings have been popular for decades and are particularly brilliant sounding. However, they are warmer than other steel strings. Although we carry Jargar for violin, viola, and cello, they are most famous for their viola and cello A & D strings when combined with a different C & G.

Larsen

The Larsen strings are a premium-priced string mostly popular with violists and cellists. Like the Jargar A & D, the Larsen A & D are very popular when combined with a different C & G. The violin E strings are also very popular when combined with other G, D and A strings.

Thomastik Spirocore

These strings are recommended for the cello; spirocore cellos strings are prevalent for their C & G strings which come in Tungsten or Silver. The Tungsten C & G are high tension strings that are brilliant with a very large tone while the Silver C & G are warmer.

Synthetic Core Strings

Synthetic strings come the closest to the sound of gut strings, but without the drawbacks that gut strings have, such as the instability of pitch and the long play-in time. Thomastik Dominant strings, made of Perlon, a type of Nylon, were the first synthetic core strings on the market. Since the core is artificial, the string can be more consistent in quality than gut strings, but they lack the complexity you can achieve with gut strings. There is currently a large selection of synthetic core strings, each with its unique characteristics.

Pirastro Synoxa

These strings are recommended for the violin, Synoxa strings are brilliant sounding. They are fast responding and have a focus and clarity to them. The Synoxa strings are more resistant to humidity changes and have quick play-in time.

Pirastro Tonica

The Tonica strings are slightly warmer in tone than the Synoxa strings; however, they still have a quick response. They are also more resistant to humidity and have a short play-in time. They are the closest in tone quality to the Thomastik Dominant strings and are recommended for use on violin.

Pirastro Obligato

The Obligato set is one of Pirastro's first composite core strings. They are warm and rich in overtones and have great response in all dynamic ranges with a softer feel than other strings under the fingers. With the Obligato E string, you choose gold-plated or steel.

Pirastro Evah Pirazzi

The Evah Pirazzi strings join the Obligatos in the Pirastro family of composite core strings. They are more brilliant than the darker Obligatos and have a depth and silvery tone. The Evah Pirazzis also offer a gold E as an option. MCH uses Evah Pirazzis on some of our better higher-end violins.

Pirastro Wondertone Solo

Pirastro has modified the composite core material used on their Pirrazi and Obligato strings to bring you the Wondertone Solo set. This set features a nearly non-existent play-in time, immediate response, and direct and clear tone with a significant volume and dynamic response.

Thomastik Dominant

Dominants are the original synthetic (Perlon) core strings, and we recommend them for use on violin and viola. They are the most popular strings globally, sporting a full, bright, and responsive sound. We set up all of our student-level violins with these strings.

Thomastik Infled (Red and Blue)

These were the first new strings from Thomastik in quite some time. They were introduced together and have the same tension to make it possible for the player to mix and match to achieve the sound they want. The Blues are brighter in tone quality, and the Reds are warmer and feature a gold-plated E. The Infeld Blues and Reds are only available for violin.

Thomastik Vision

These high-tech composite strings are similar in sound to Dominants but with more character and have a shorter play-in period than traditional Perlon core strings. They are becoming more popular as more celebrity violinists switch over to Vision strings.

Thomastik Vision Titanium

The Vision Titanium Solo strings have a lot of power and warmth and can help duller-sounding instruments be a bit more brilliant. Put on fast responding instruments. They can overpower other instruments if playing in a chamber ensemble.

Larsen

Previously known more for their steel cello strings, Larsen has developed synthetic core strings for the violin and viola. They are premium strings with a warm sound with lots of power and depth.

Only E's

In addition to the string sets above, we also have in stock a few manufacturers that only make E strings. They are the Pirastro Universal E, the Hill E, the Pirastro Gold E, and the Westminster E.