Larsen Il Cannone Gold — Premium Violin Strings
Larsen Il Cannone Gold is a premium violin string range developed in Denmark for musicians seeking exceptional projection, a rich tonal palette and lasting performance. Its defining innovation is the use of 10-karat gold winding on both D and G strings, combined with advanced synthetic multi-filament cores.
Designed with demanding solo performance in mind, Il Cannone Gold delivers a powerful, resonant and expressive sound. Larsen describes the tone as glowing, crisp, robust and carrying, combining strength with sensitivity and rich tonal colours.
What makes Il Cannone Gold different?
The most distinctive feature is the matched pair of gold-wound D and G strings. Larsen developed a D string with 10K gold winding to work in partnership with its gold G string, creating a coordinated response across the middle and lower registers.
The special gold alloy is selected for performance characteristics, not merely appearance. Larsen associates the construction with a distinctive tonal response, exceptional durability and long-lasting playability. 10K gold is a gold alloy, not pure gold.
Il Cannone Gold is positioned as the most powerful option within the Il Cannone violin family. Its tone has a strong fundamental, clear attack, focused projection and a broad range of expressive colours.
The four-string construction
E string: special carbon steel without additional winding, 9.0 kg tension. Designed for direct response, clear articulation and a brilliant upper register.
A string: synthetic multi-filament core with precision-rolled aluminium flat-wire winding, 6.0 kg tension. Provides a tonal connection between the brilliant E string and the fuller lower registers.
D string: synthetic multi-filament core with 10K gold winding, 5.1 kg tension. Developed together with the G string for a coordinated and expressive middle-to-low register.
G string: synthetic multi-filament core with 10K gold winding, 4.8 kg tension. Designed to enhance the instrument's core sound, resonance and depth.
Technical specifications
| String |
Core |
Winding |
Tension |
| E |
Carbon steel |
Unwound |
9.0 kg |
| A |
Synthetic multi-filament |
Aluminium |
6.0 kg |
| D |
Synthetic multi-filament |
10K gold |
5.1 kg |
| G |
Synthetic multi-filament |
10K gold |
4.8 kg |
| Total set tension |
24.9 kg |
Choosing the right tension: Il Cannone Gold strings have the same tension level as Il Cannone Soloist, making them stronger than Il Cannone Medium. Higher tension is not necessarily better for every violin. On instruments sensitive to tension, Larsen recommends considering lower-tension E or A options combined with the Gold D and G.
Complete sets and individual strings
This category includes the complete Il Cannone Gold E–A–D–G violin set and individual strings for replacement or customised combinations.
Larsen particularly recommends pairing the Gold D and G strings, as they were developed to achieve their full tonal and playing potential together. The A and E may be adjusted to suit the violin. For example, Il Cannone Medium or Soloist E strings can provide a different upper-register response.
The optimal combination depends on the instrument's construction, setup and the player's preferences. A more powerful sound is not always the most balanced choice for every violin.
Longevity and maintenance
Extended performance life is a major design goal of Il Cannone Gold. Larsen highlights the outstanding durability of its gold-wound D and G strings, although actual lifespan depends on playing intensity and maintenance.
After playing, wipe away rosin dust with a soft, dry cloth. Follow string-safe cleaning procedures for periodic deeper cleaning, keeping cleaning products away from the violin's varnish. Larsen also notes that the Gold D and G strings may develop even greater tonal flexibility and focus after several days of playing.
Larsen Il Cannone Gold is designed for violinists seeking a powerful, colourful, responsive and resonant tone with durable performance.
