What is the core material of the Pirastro Chorda Cello set?

The strings feature a natural gut core, which is the traditional material used for early music strings to achieve a soft, organic sound.

Which strings in this set are unwound?

The A and D strings are plain, unwound gut, providing a traditional texture and period-accurate response.

How are the G and C strings constructed?

The G and C strings have a gut core that is silver-plated. This winding reduces the string diameter and improves playability compared to pure gut.

What kind of instruments is this set best suited for?

While they can be used by modern musicians, they are specifically matched for baroque instruments and historical performance practice.

What is the gauge of the 132020 set?

This specific string set is supplied in a medium gauge, offering a balance between tension and tonal richness.

How do these strings attach to the tailpiece?

The C and G strings feature knot ends, while the A and D strings are open-ended, allowing for traditional mounting methods.

What is the typical price for the Pirastro Chorda Cello set?

The set typically retails for approximately £183 in the United Kingdom.

Does the Chorda set provide a bright or soft sound?

These strings are known for a naturally soft and rich sound, focusing on texture rather than the piercing brightness of steel strings.

Can modern cellists use these strings?

Yes, they are described as being suited to both modern and traditional musicians who seek a gut-string aesthetic and feel.

Why is silver plating used on the lower strings?

The silver plating is applied to reduce the diameter of the C and G strings, which enhances playability and response in the lower register.

How does the playability compare to synthetic strings?

The gut core offers a comfortable, soft playability that is physically different from the stiffer feel of synthetic or steel-core strings.

Are these strings suitable for orchestral playing?

While they can be used, they are most often selected for baroque ensembles or solo period performances where a textured, historical sound is required.

Gear article

Pirastro 132020 Chorda Cello String Set

The Pirastro 132020 Chorda Cello String Set is a premium gut-core string collection designed for both modern and traditional musicians. Specifically tailored for baroque instruments, the set features a combination of unwound and silver-plated strings to provide a rich, textured period sound with modern playability.

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Background and Design

Pirastro, a long-standing leader in string manufacturing, developed the Chorda series to meet the requirements of historical performance practice. The 132020 set is engineered specifically for the cello, focusing on the authentic recreation of baroque tonal characteristics. By using a natural gut core, the strings provide the traditional feel and response expected by specialists in early music, while remaining accessible to modern players looking to explore period aesthetics.

Material Composition

The construction of the Chorda set varies across the four strings to balance historical accuracy with physical playability:

A and D Strings: These are left as plain, unwound gut. This provides a raw, authentic texture and a soft response typical of early stringed instruments.
G and C Strings: These strings feature a silver-plated winding over the gut core. The winding serves to reduce the overall diameter of the lower strings, making them more comfortable to handle and improving the clarity of articulation in the lower register.
End Types: The C and G strings are finished with a knot end, while the A and D strings are open-ended, catering to traditional tailpiece attachments.

Tonal Character and Performance

The primary characteristic of the Chorda set is a naturally soft, rich, and textured sound. The gut core yields a warmer, more organic tone compared to synthetic or steel-core alternatives. Because they are matched specifically for baroque instruments, they offer a complex harmonic profile that enhances the resonance of historically informed setups. The silver plating on the lower strings ensures that despite the warmth, there is sufficient projection and a reduction in the 'muddy' quality sometimes associated with pure gut lower strings.

Suitability and Comparison

These strings are ideal for cellists performing baroque and early classical repertoire. They are particularly suited to instruments with traditional setups, such as those without modern fine tuners or those using gut tailpiece loops.

When compared to modern alternatives like the Larsen Cello D or D'Addario Helicore series, the Chorda set offers significantly lower tension and a different tactile experience. Unlike the Thomastik Spirocore or Zyex ranges, which focus on brightness and stability, the Chorda set prioritises tonal depth and the nuanced flexibility required for period performance.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the core material of the Pirastro Chorda Cello set?: The strings feature a natural gut core, which is the traditional material used for early music strings to achieve a soft, organic sound.
Which strings in this set are unwound?: The A and D strings are plain, unwound gut, providing a traditional texture and period-accurate response.
How are the G and C strings constructed?: The G and C strings have a gut core that is silver-plated. This winding reduces the string diameter and improves playability compared to pure gut.
What kind of instruments is this set best suited for?: While they can be used by modern musicians, they are specifically matched for baroque instruments and historical performance practice.
What is the gauge of the 132020 set?: This specific string set is supplied in a medium gauge, offering a balance between tension and tonal richness.
How do these strings attach to the tailpiece?: The C and G strings feature knot ends, while the A and D strings are open-ended, allowing for traditional mounting methods.
What is the typical price for the Pirastro Chorda Cello set?: The set typically retails for approximately £183 in the United Kingdom.
Does the Chorda set provide a bright or soft sound?: These strings are known for a naturally soft and rich sound, focusing on texture rather than the piercing brightness of steel strings.
Can modern cellists use these strings?: Yes, they are described as being suited to both modern and traditional musicians who seek a gut-string aesthetic and feel.
Why is silver plating used on the lower strings?: The silver plating is applied to reduce the diameter of the C and G strings, which enhances playability and response in the lower register.
How does the playability compare to synthetic strings?: The gut core offers a comfortable, soft playability that is physically different from the stiffer feel of synthetic or steel-core strings.
Are these strings suitable for orchestral playing?: While they can be used, they are most often selected for baroque ensembles or solo period performances where a textured, historical sound is required.