Larsen Il Cannone Silver is a professional violin string set for 4/4 instruments, developed by Danish manufacturer Larsen Strings. It is designed for violinists seeking a brilliant, overtone-rich sound, powerful projection and immediate response to the bow.
The most distinctive feature is that the set contains five strings rather than four. Alongside A, D and G, it includes two alternative E strings: Silver E and Caprice E. Their different diameters, tensions and tonal characteristics allow the player to choose the preferred response in the upper register.
Another defining feature is the winding on the D and G strings, made from 99.85% pure silver. Unlike Il Cannone Gold, which uses gold alloy winding on its lower strings, Silver focuses on radiant brilliance, clearly articulated sound and enhanced upper overtones.
Complete package: five strings — Silver E, Caprice E, A, D and G. Four strings are installed on the violin. The player chooses one E string, leaving the other as an alternative or for future comparison.
Sound: brilliance, overtones and projection
Larsen describes Il Cannone Silver as a powerful, bright and projecting string range. Development focused on rich upper harmonics, tonal clarity and the ability to maintain a strong, expressive presence in large concert halls.
The strings respond quickly to bow movement and support precise articulation. High bow resistance is combined with a flexible feel under the fingers, allowing controlled dynamics and articulation in both energetic passages and quiet playing.
Il Cannone Silver is particularly interesting for players looking to add brilliance, clarity and focus to their instrument. The final result nevertheless depends on the violin's acoustic properties, setup and the individual musician.
Two E strings — two tonal personalities
Silver E — bold and open. Made from specially selected carbon steel with a diameter of 0.270 mm. Its character is powerful, brilliant and silvery, providing an assertive upper register with a responsive bow feel.
Caprice E — sparkling and focused. Also made from carbon steel, with a slightly larger diameter of 0.275 mm and higher tension. According to Larsen, it offers focused brilliance and precise articulation. It can be particularly useful on violins that benefit from additional definition in the upper register.
Both E strings have removable ball ends for use with compatible ball-end or loop-end fine tuners. Check the fine-tuner design before removing the ball.
Practical suggestion: install one E string first and evaluate its performance alongside the A, D and G. You can then try the second E to compare tonal colour, response and bow resistance on your own violin.
Construction of the A, D and G strings
A string: synthetic multi-filament core with precision-rolled aluminium flat-wire winding. Designed to provide a balanced transition from the brilliant E strings to the resonant lower register.
D string: synthetic multi-filament core with flat-wire winding made from 99.85% pure silver. The construction combines middle-register resonance and clarity with the distinctive brightness of the Silver range.
G string: synthetic multi-filament core with 99.85% pure silver winding. Provides a resonant foundation for the lowest register while maintaining definition and overtone richness.
All three strings have ball ends. Silver is the actual winding material on D and G, not a decorative surface coating.
Individual string specifications
| String |
Core |
Winding |
Tension |
| Silver E |
Carbon steel |
Unwound |
8.07 kg |
| Caprice E |
Carbon steel |
Unwound |
8.40 kg |
| A |
Synthetic multi-filament |
Aluminium |
6.00 kg |
| D |
Synthetic multi-filament |
99.85% silver |
5.14 kg |
| G |
Synthetic multi-filament |
99.85% silver |
4.79 kg |
Individual tensions are based on Larsen's technical specifications. Only one E string is used in the installed four-string configuration.
General technical information
| Manufacturer |
Larsen Strings |
| Series |
Il Cannone Silver |
| GEWA article number |
631.473.006 |
| Instrument |
4/4 violin |
| Package contents |
5 strings: Silver E, Caprice E, A, D, G |
| Silver E diameter |
0.270 mm |
| Caprice E diameter |
0.275 mm |
| E string ends |
Removable ball (Ball/Loop) |
| A, D, G ends |
Ball End |
| Reference vibrating length |
325 mm |
| Reference tuning |
A = 440 Hz |
| Made in |
Denmark |
Il Cannone Silver compared with Gold
Both ranges belong to Larsen's professional Il Cannone family but differ in winding materials and tonal direction.
Il Cannone Silver focuses on radiant brilliance, clear articulation, rich upper overtones and focused projection. Its D and G strings are wound with 99.85% pure silver.
Il Cannone Gold has a warmer and fuller tonal concept. The D and G strings use 10K gold alloy winding.
The choice depends on the instrument and the musician's preferences. Silver can be particularly appealing for violins that benefit from additional brightness and clarity.
Who is this set designed for?
Il Cannone Silver is intended for professional violinists, soloists, orchestral and chamber musicians, and advanced students seeking powerful sound, precise articulation and a broad dynamic range.
The two E-string options are especially useful for tailoring the upper register to the instrument, allowing the player to compare different tonal responses while keeping the same A, D and G strings.
Installation and maintenance
Replace one string at a time, starting with G, to help maintain bridge position. Check that the nut and bridge grooves are smooth and free of sharp edges that could damage the strings.
The E strings include a protective tube to prevent the thin steel string from cutting into the bridge. A suitable protective insert may be used when required.
After playing, remove rosin dust using a soft, dry cloth. Avoid abrasive silver-polishing products on the winding; gentle regular cleaning is preferable to aggressive treatment.
Please note: this product is a complete five-string package for a 4/4 violin, including two alternative E strings. The D and G strings have 99.85% pure silver winding, the A string is aluminium-wound, and both E strings are unwound steel.
