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In order for a Violin player to get the best response from their instrument, it is essential that the String selection for that instrument complements the acoustic properties and satisfies the players musical requirements.
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Violin String Types :-
1. Gut Strings
2. Metal Wound Gut strings
3. Metal strings
4. Metal Wound plastic strings
5. Synthetic Strings
6. String Makers - Contact Details
7. References
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1. Gut Strings
Gut strings have been traditionally made from the intestines of sheep. The standard Gut string is constructed by twisting the fibre from the sheep’s intestines between 2 hooks. The number of fibres will determine the diameter of the string. For increased flexibility one may put as much twist in a string as possible, when wet. This type of Gut string is known as a “ High Twist ” type. As a result of these extra twists some tensile strength is lost, so these strings are suitable for “Mid-to Low Range strings”.
Gut strings can be polished when dry, this makes the string look attractive and can improve the vibrational trueness. The disadvantage with polishing is that it breaks some of the fibers and this decreases the overall strength. This is a problem only with the highest string of an instrument as it is under the greatest strain when tuned up. Gut tends to lack the power required by many modern soloists and its quick response to changes in temperature and humidity necessitates frequent retuning. They have a shorter playable life time.
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2. Metal Wound Gut strings
A Gut string may act also as a core on which metal wire is wound. The wire is tensioned while being fed onto the turning core. Names such as “Wound” , “Covered” , or “Over-spun”, are applied to such strings. If the windings touch one another, we call the string “Close Wound”, but if the windings are separated so that one can see the core between the turns, we call it “Open-Wound”. In recent times string makers have been using flat ribbon metal windings. Between each winding layer there is a winding or woven stocking of plastic fibers or ribbon. An “Over-wound” adds smoothness to playing and quick response, at the expense of variety of Tone. In the 19th century the winding was of Copper, Silver plated copper , or Silver round wire. In the 21th century the winding is of Steel, and Aluminum with flat ribbon and flat ground round windings.
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3. Metal strings
Steel wire type string was introduced early in the 20th century. The use of all steel strings for the “E” became wide spread during the first world war. The use of the “Gut-E” disappeared by the middle of the 20th century. Many types of steel “E” string have become available now including, Stainless steel, Chromium steel, Flat Aluminum winding on steel, and Gold plated steel. Stainless steel, and Gold plated steel, resist the corrosive effects of finger perspiration.
The simplest steel strings are made from a single solid steel core which can also be wound with wire. Multi-stranded “rope-core” gives a quicker Bow response and reduces the brightness characteristic of many solid-core strings.
The “rope-core” is very flexible and slightly elastic, so will feel marginaly softer under the fingers.
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4. Metal Wound plastic strings
This consists of a Plastic core “Perlon” with a metal winding on the outside. This type of string has several advantages over the metal and Gut types of strings. Good Stability, Consistency of string manufacture, Middle weight availability, a long Life and very reliable in humid environments, with a good performance over changing temperature conditions. An Example of this type of string is the “Dominant” string make, Developed by the Thomastik-Infeld in Austria in 1970 which is an Aluminum winding over a “Perlon “ multi-threaded Nylon core. This string type gives a “Bright sound “, and a warmth of tone.
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5. . Synthetic Strings (New arrivals on the String Scene)
In 1990 The Dutch company LARSEN Strings set up production and is now renowned for its high quality metal Cello strings. D”Addario have introduced “Zyex”, which is a space age synthetic core which remains stable in changes of temperature, and humidity , also having a warm tone, which works well with bright new instruments. However it is a very expensive material.
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6.String Makers - Contact Details :-
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AQUILA CORDE ARMONICHE S.a.s. Gut String Makers This web site contains many detailed articles on the history of Gut strings Via Aviano 16, 36030 Caldogno, Vicenza, Italy Phone: (0039) 0444 986972 fax (0039) 0444 986399 E-MAIL: aquila@aquilacorde.com www.aquilacorde.com/home1.htm
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BOSTON CATLINES Olav Chris Henricksen 34 Newbury Street Somerville, MA 02144 USA (617) 776-8688
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J.D'Addario & Company, Inc. PO Box 290 , Farmingdale, NY 11735 www.daddario.com
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DAMIAN DLUGOLECKI, STRING MAKER 520 SE 40th Street Troutdale Oregon 97060 Tel : (503) 669-7966 Fax : (503) 665-2738 Email: damian@damianstrings.com www.damianstrings.com
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DOGAL CORDE ARMONICHE DOGAL®S.n.c.. - Cannaregio, 6124/A - P.O. Box 318 - 30100 - Venice - Italy Tel. +39.041.5388281 - Fax +39.041.935499 E-mail:info@dogalstrings.com www.dogalstrings.it
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NAOKI FUJII Stuyvesant straat 9/1 1058 AJ Amsterdam The Netherlands Phone: +31 20 689 2058
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GAMUT MUSICAL STRINGS Dan Larson, String Maker 26 N. 28th Ave. E. Duluth, MN 55812 USA Phone: (218) 724-8011 Toll free phone/fax in the USA: 888-724-8099 Email: dan@daniellarson.com www.daniellarson.com
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CHD STRINGS Carl Hellweg Postfach 720145 Lütgendortmunder Hellweg 12 44388 Dortmund Germany Phone: 02 31 63 2562
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BERND KURSCHNER GbR Strings for musical instruments Speciality: gut strings Obere Waldstrasse 20 D-65232 Taunusstein Germany Phone: +49-6128-6910 FAX: +49-6128-8207 E-mail: kuerschner@kuerschner-saiten.de www.kuerschner-saiten.de
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NORTHERN RENAISSANCE INSTRUMENTS Excellent Web site recommended for Detailed information on Strings. 6 Needham Avenue Chorlton Manchester M21 2AA U.K. Phone: 44+ (0)61 881 8134 e-mail: post@nrinstruments.demon.co.uk www.nrinstruments.demon.co.uk/Guide.html
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E. & O. MARI, INC. / LA BELLA STRINGS 256 Broadway Newburg, NY 12550 USA Phone: (914) 562-4400 FAX: (914) 562-4491 www.labella.com
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PYRAMID STRINGS PYRAMID Junger GmbH P.O.Box 6 D-91088 Bubenreuth - GERMANY Phone: 0049 (0) 9131 24064 FAX: 0049 (0) 9131 206642 E-mail:sabine-pyramid@junger.de www.pyramid-strings.de
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PIRASTRO GmbH Senefelderstrasse 80 D-63069 Offenbach am Main Germany Tel +49 (0) 69 - 84 00 90 0 Fax +49 (0) 69 - 83 16 63 email: info@pirastro.com www.pirastro.com/homeset.html
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SAVAREZ S.A. Avenue Barthélémy Thimonnier - BP 133 - 69643 Caluire et Cuire Cedex France Tèl : (0033/0) 4 37 40 32 00 - Fax : (0033/0) 4 37 40 32 10 www.savarez.fr/anglais/index.html
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