Historical gut strings manufacturing: cleaning with the thimble
The last cleaning passage of the fresh gut was made using a copper thimble, pressing hard the thumb on the index finger. They did this 3 times a day for almost one week, using chemicals, and standing behind big tables with a parapet to protect them...
G. P. Pinaroli, Polyanthea Technica, Roma 1718-32
Catalogue from Mirecourt, 1912
Factory La Bella, New York Long Island, 1940/50 (courtesy of mr. Daniel Mari)
Factory La Bella, New York Long Island, 1940/50 (courtesy of mr. Daniel Mari)
Tags
baroque music, double-bass strings, early music, gut strings, gut strings history, gut strings maintenance, gut strings manufacture, viol strings, viola da gamba strings, viola strings, violin strings, violoncello strings
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 MoreNot only sheeps or lambs… you will be surprised to learn! My sources for this video are the letters of Roberto Salerni, the interviews to the old string makers in Salle, and Labarraque “Nuovo dizionario universale tecnologico delle arti e dei mestieri…”, “Minugiaio”, Venezia 1823
Read MoreThis video is a very accurate reconstruction of the historical manufacturing process. Thanks to Mimmo Peruffo for this. Note that he is using whole lamb gut.
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