Quality of the string

0  comments

What to check and what to avoid when you are choosing your strings.

The most important thing to check is that the twisting of your string is even in the whole vibrating lenght. No white spots, no open twist, no different angles. You can easily feel those by Mersenne's test.

What is less important is the color. Strings shouldn't be too white, it means they are bleached too much with chemicals. I wouldn't matter if they are yellow or brown, it is really just a matter of how they are cleaned, disinfected, and chemically treated. Brown strings can sound fantastic in the middle and basses, but I would prefer straw yellow for the chanterelles. Not too bleached, but perfectly clean.


Tags

baroque music, double-bass strings, early music, gut strings, gut strings maintenance, viol strings, viola da gamba strings, viola strings, violin strings, violoncello strings


You may also like

Varnished or not Varnished

Why I don’t like varnished strings: Maybe if you live in a very humid place, like Vietnam or Japan, it looks like this is the only solution. It may be true in fact if you want to buy a “ready to use” string.But if you have the patience of organizing your olive oil process and

Read More

Wolf-tone eliminator?

…or what else?A special knot from iconography Do you miss your wolf tone eliminator device? Would you like a bit stiffer string but you cannot get another one right away? Maybe old painting are giving us a suggestion… If you have other ideas about this knot, please share in the comments below this video, there’s

Read More

Exralenght of the String

Where can I stock the extra-lenght of the string? (especially for Viola players!!) The eternal problem for viola players: how do I make 2 D strings out of a 120cm string? it’s not enough!  If you just remember not to cut your string at the half, you can stock your extralenght around the scroll. It will not spoil,

Read More