Thank you for choosing Larsen Sovereign for Cello

Sovereign for Cello is our most soloistic string set – designed to give you full command of your sound and freedom of expression. Developed with Larsen artists, it offers immediate response, clarity and a rich spectrum of colour – from dark intensity to lyrical warmth and the lightest pianissimo.
Built on a powerful core with tungsten-wound lower strings and balanced medium tension, Sovereign delivers precision, projection and control across the entire register.

What you can expect:

• Clear, focused projection
• Wide tonal range – from depth to brilliance
• Fast, effortless response
• A responsive, powerful C string

This page will guide you in setting up your instrument, mounting your strings correctly and getting the most from your set.

Larsen Set Up

Getting the best start

Correct installation is essential for achieving the full sound and lifespan of your Larsen strings. Follow these steps to prepare your instrument and mount the strings safely.

Preparing the instrument

Before fitting new strings, ensure your instrument is in good condition to protect the strings from damage.

• Check string length – Measure from the tailpiece hole to the peg. The string length from ball to silk should be shorter than this distance.
• Inspect bridge & nut grooves – Grooves should be smooth, rounded, and no deeper than half the string’s diameter. They should be only slightly wider than the string itself, with no sharp edges.
• Bridge alignment matters – The bridge should stand perfectly perpendicular to the top plate of your cello – i.e., form a 90‑degree angle – as any leaning can lead to warping or weakening over time. Gently straighten it as needed.
• Ensure peg diameter – To prevent stress on the strings, and to avoid it breaking, the peg – on which you wind the string – should be at least 10 mm in diameter. If the diameter is less, or the peg end of the string is very stiff, we recommend massaging and gently bending that part of the string before winding it on the peg.

Identifying the strings

Our strings are marked at the peg end, so you can easily distinguish them: 1 line for A-strings, 2 lines for D-strings, 3 lines for G-strings and 4 lines for C-strings.

Another way to determine the string number for the rest of our cello strings, is to look at the ball colour:

• A: Brass
• D: Chrome
• G: Copper
• C: Black

If you have no idea what Larsen string you’re looking at, please refer to our Larsen Silk Colour page.

Mounting the strings

Unpack the strings carefully. As you progress one string at a time, remove them from their moisture-proof bags and uncoil gently without twisting.

• Change one string at a time – Begin with the lowest string. This way, your bridge is kept in place and you maintain tension across your instrument.
• Apply graphite – Use a soft pencil (the softer, the better – we recommend 2B or 3B) to add graphite into both bridge and nut grooves. This will act as a dry lubricant and allow your strings to move freely when tuning and playing.
• Avoid damage – Keep the string lifted slightly away from the bridge and nut grooves while fitting.
• Only cross once – Do not cross the string more than once on the peg.
• Winding direction – Wind towards the peg head without jamming against the peg box sides.
• Check bridge – Once you have mounted all the strings, make sure that the bridge is perpendicular to the top plate of your cello, e.g. that it is straight and centrally located between the f-holes.
• Tune gradually – Bring each string to final pitch. Play and retune. Always tune up to the note, never over the pitch.

Want to see how?

Larsen Optimise

We hope your Sovereign set is the perfect match for you and your instrument.
If you feel a little fine-tuning could make it even better, here are some simple ways to optimise your sound.

The Sovereign G and C strings are designed with flexibility in mind and can be combined seamlessly with a wide range of A and D strings to suit your instrument and playing style.

They bring added depth, clarity and projection to the lower register, while naturally complementing the character of your preferred upper strings. This allows you to fine-tune your setup without compromising balance or cohesion.

Popular combinations include:

• Larsen Original A & D – for warmth and a more traditional, rounded sound
• Larsen Soloist A & D – for increased projection with retained warmth
• Il Cannone Warm & Broad A & D – for added power and richness
• Il Cannone Direct & Focused A & D – for maximum clarity and definition

This versatility makes Sovereign G and C an ideal foundation for a personalised setup – whether you are refining an existing combination or exploring a new tonal direction.

Larsen Maintain

Maintain Your Strings

Keeping your Larsen strings in top condition is simple — but regular care makes all the difference to sound and longevity. With just a few minutes of regular care, your strings will stay vibrant, responsive and full of overtones for longer

Daily care

After each session, gently wipe away rosin dust and residue with a dry microfibre cloth.

Thorough clean

When the sound starts to lose brilliance or feel muffled, it’s time for a deeper clean:

C, G & D strings – Loosen strings one at a time, shield the instrument’s body and clean from nut to tailpiece with a cloth lightly moistened in isopropyl alcohol. Finish with a dry cloth and apply a little soft pencil to the bridge and nut grooves before re-tensioning.

A string – Keep under tension, clean as above, always in one direction.

Important: Always protect your instrument’s varnish from alcohol and work with care.

Watch how it’s done:

Larsen Recycle

Recycle Responsibly

Recycling rules vary around the world, but here’s how to give your Larsen packaging and strings the best possible second life.

Paper & Card

Our outer string envelopes and product cartons are made from FSC®-certified paper and card. Simply place them in your local paper/card recycling bin.

Plastic

The inner protective bag is a composite plastic material to make sure that your strings won’t deteriorate in the many climates the strings are stored, sold and played. Recycling options differ by country – in some regions, composite plastics are collected with general plastic recycling, while in others they may need to go in residual waste. Check your local guidelines.

Strings

When your strings have played their last note, they still have value. Place them in your local scrap metal or metal recycling bin. The steel, aluminium and silver will be separated at the recycling plant and repurposed, beginning a new chapter in their life cycle.

By recycling correctly, you’re helping us close the loop – reducing waste, conserving resources and giving valuable materials a new life.

Larsen Explore

Explore More

Every instrument – and every musician – has its own voice.
Your perfect match depends on what your cello needs, how you play and the sound you love.

From the warmth of the Larsen Original to the powerful projection of Sovereign, our cello family offers strings for every character, style and stage. Check out our Sound Map and Cello String Selector Tool to discover the full range and find the set that speaks to you.

Explore all Larsen cello strings on https://larsenstrings.com/larsen-strings-cello/ 

Larsen Specification

Sovereign Technical Information

String tension as kg/lbs, string core material, string winding material(s) and silk colors illustrated as ball and silk winding at the tailpiece end then silk color combinations, per string, at the peg end.

Sound & Characteristics

Please note that the illustrated values are intended for guidance purposes only.

Larsen Feedback

Larsen Contact

We hope this String Expertise area has been helpful. If you have further questions, or if there’s something else we can do to support your playing, please feel free to contact us.

Larsen Strings
Ingolf Nielsens Vej 14A
DK–6400 Sønderborg
Denmark

📞 Telephone: +45 7443 1760
✉️ mail@larsenstrings.com