The Cost Of Musical Instrument Strings...

[HUGH]

I have seen gut strings being made, directly at a freezing plant. It required a specialist, in this case a gnome-like character who twisted the gut according to the section of intestine it came from. His apprentice, much younger, started on stretching and making condoms from the same intestines. The old fellow told us some Germans preferred the gut variety rather than latex. Was he pulling our legs or is it true?
Anyway it seems that manufacturing gut strings is a specialist job like many others which are dying out.

[n2ize]

I have seen gut strings being made, directly at a freezing plant. It required a specialist, in this case a gnome-like character who twisted the gut according to the section of intestine it came from. His apprentice, much younger, started on stretching and making condoms from the same intestines. The old fellow told us some Germans preferred the gut variety rather than latex. Was he pulling our legs or is it true?
Anyway it seems that manufacturing gut strings is a specialist job like many others which are dying out.

Hmmm... Not to sure of which is better, the latex or the gut prophylactics. I remember reading that historically the gut condoms were the first available and latex came along much later. Otherwise I have no idea which gives the bigger bang for the buck...LOL. :)

As far as the violin strings go there are two types. The most popular is the "gut core" types where the gut is tightly would to form a string and then the gut core is wrapped in silver, aluminium or gold Less common (and harder to find) are the pure unwound gut strings. The latter are preferred by some very dedicated baroque style musicians who want to capture that authentic period style and sound. Often they will even have their instruments altered to even further affect that early baroque style.

[HUGH]

Hmmm... Not to sure of which is better, the latex or the gut prophylactics. I remember reading that historically the gut condoms were the first available and latex came along much later. Otherwise I have no idea which gives the bigger bang for the buck...LOL. :)

As far as the violin strings go there are two types. The most popular is the "gut core" types where the gut is tightly would to form a string and then the gut core is wrapped in silver, aluminium or gold Less common (and harder to find) are the pure unwound gut strings. The latter are preferred by some very dedicated baroque style musicians who want to capture that authentic period style and sound. Often they will even have their instruments altered to even further affect that early baroque style.

The unwound strings must be awkward as the gut seems to dry out, probably why they were twisted directly after the sheeps' slaugheter. Once twisted I think they should retain their flexibility better.

I forgot also that longcase (Grandfather) and Vienna clock lines were traditionally made from gut. I used it in my clock but often substituted a twisted nylon look-alike when repairing other people's clocks if I knew they were not going to look after the timepiece. I made my clock about 18 years ago and have only applied a little oil to the lines twice since. There's no sign of wear or fraying though mine runs with two 10lb weights whereas others can use up to 14lbs each side. It seems the longcase lines can last for 50 years or more.

[n2ize]

The unwound strings must be awkward as the gut seems to dry out, probably why they were twisted directly after the sheeps' slaugheter. Once twisted I think they should retain their flexibility better.

Okay, just to clarify. When I mentioned "unwound gut strings" I meant that the gut core is not wrapped in metal (i.e. usually silver or aluminium, but sometimes gold, tungsten or other metals). The most common gut core strings these days are wrapped with silver or other metal. But there are some dedicated baroque period musicians who will buy "straight" gut strings which are twisted (similar to the clock lines) but minus the metal wrapping found on most strings used these days. There is one place I found online that sells them. They sell them by the foot and you cut them to fit your instrument. However, by far the most common strings among today's string players are synthetic core strings (usually nylon, perlon, zyex) that are wrapped in aluminium, silver or gold. The offer a nice compromise between steel strings and gut strings. Foir ibnstance the ones I use are nylon core wrapped in sterling silver.

I forgot also that longcase (Grandfather) and Vienna clock lines were traditionally made from gut. I used it in my clock but often substituted a twisted nylon look-alike when repairing other people's clocks if I knew they were not going to look after the timepiece. I made my clock about 18 years ago and have only applied a little oil to the lines twice since. There's no sign of wear or fraying though mine runs with two 10lb weights whereas others can use up to 14lbs each side. It seems the longcase lines can last for 50 years or more.

I had to do a little reference work to fully understand what you meant by longcase clock lines. Pretty nice clocks. I am mainly into vintage or antique pocket watches but I am beginning to develop an interest in clocks. Some of the long case clocks are stunningly beautiful and I guess they command a nice price. I would love to have one someday. True works of art both in their mechanics and in their fine enclosures and grand designs. Apparently many clock restorers are still using the old type gut clock lines as I noticed a several sites have them available for sale. And in such an application if properly cared for they should last for years. Reminds me of the old gut tailpiece loops on violins that are used to hold the tailpiece in place. These days they use a threaded synthetic (plastic) loop but in the old days the loop was made of a knotted piece of heavy gauge gut string which carries the full stress of the strings. I seen violins well over 50 years old (some over 100) and the gut tailpiece loop is still holding fine with no signs of wear. Indeed a strong material. Would love to chat more about the long case clocks. Sounds very interesting.