Review of Aquila's new modern set for Violoncello da Spalla
and comparison with Boussoir's modern set and Thomastick
New Aquila’s modern set (in their catalogue, look for the “synthetic version”:
Eliakim Boussoir’s modern set (if you can’t find them in his catalogue, write him and ask: they definitely are available, but he is very busy and rarely has the time to update the website):
Thomastick SPA501 set:
Thanks for listening! Comments and questions are very welcome, as describing strings and sound with words is so difficult I am sure I was not clear, so don’t be afraid to ask!
…and a little behind the scenes:
I have just fitted a set of Eliakim's silk cored strings and am in two minds with them. They are certainly more like historical strings I think, there's a gut like scratch to them if the bow is a bit short of rosin. I have to work harder to draw the sound out of them but there are more colours/harmonics evident than there were with the previous generation of Aquilla strings that I had before them. They are a little less strident than the Aquilla set but dynamics are easier to produce. The Aquilla set I found were easier to adapt to after the Thomastic set that I had previous to them but were quite metallic. The Boussoir set is taking more work but hopefully will, with practice, allign with my playing style and repertoire. Thanks for your research and insight Daniela, I intend to try your bridge style at some point soon to see what difference I can find.