Cello strings advice

[Worriedmum42]

Hi
My dd has just taken her grade 1 cello (fingers crossed) but we still hire a 1/4 size cello from our music service. I was wondering if anyone could offer any advice regarding strings for it. I read somewhere that if you have a better quality string it can make a big difference to the sound. From what I can see (complete non-musical) the 1/4 size seems right and we wouldn't need to get 1/2 size yet (when that time comes I think we will also be looking for advice re a reasonable cello) so I was thinking that upgrading the strings might be a good idea.
Thanks

tbh at that level the strings won't make a massive difference, it's not worth spending ££ on strings.

Pp is quite right, better strings won't make much difference in those early stages. If you buy a cello later it is really worth putting decent strings on it. They last for ages, so though they appear expensive, you won't need to replace them, maybe for several years. Larsen A & D plus Jargar Classic G and C are a favourite combination. Cellos with uneven sound quality can be helped by a careful choice of strings.

Thanks

It's nice to see someone caring so much about the sound!

And the bow makes a difference too! Forget the bow included with an outfit. It's really worth getting a decent one. You can buy a very respectable carbon cello bow for not much more than £100.

Thanks - having looked at the size I think we may be heading for 1/2 size sooner rather than later. Does anyone have any ideas of where we should start with looking for a reasonable cello? We are North Bucks so any recommendations in Beds, Bucks, Northamptonshire or London is only 1hr away. I'm guessing it would be better to actually go somewhere than online??
Thanks

You could contact Stringers in Marylebone. Or you could ask at Hill's in Welwyn. They are very nice and might suggest somewhere if they can't help you. Certainly you would be better visiting a shop. Many shops will take back an instrument when you move on to the next size/grade. I was referring to full size bows in my previous post. I'm not sure you would need to buy a half-size bow.