Gamut

Gauges:

Light - =1.46mm

Light+ - =1.50mm

Medium - =1.52mm

Medium+ - =1.56mm

Heavy - =1.58mm

Heavy+ - =1.60mm

This is a single length, (24"), Gimped gut violin G-4 string with the Pistoy twist, for extra flexibility. It is intended for those players who wish to play renaissance and early baroque performance practice and want the true gut tone.

Gimped strings were first mentioned in an advertisement in the 1664 addition of John Playford's "Introduction to the Skill of Music". The exact historical nature of these strings is not known, and the strings we produce are based on the descriptions of gimped lace of the period.

The addition of wire into the gut gives extra density to the string so it can be thinner than a plain gut string of the same weight. The gimped string, being thinner and having some metal content, offers a brighter tone and quicker response than a plain gut string of the same gauge density.

Two types of Gimped strings are made: Copper Gimps and Silver Gimps. Silver wire, being heavier than copper, allows Silver Gimped string to be a little thinner than the Copper Gimped string. This might be an advantage on shorter string lengths where you would want a thinner string for better tonal response.

The large diameter of the string may necessitate adjustment of the tailpiece to allow the string a large enough hole to pass through.

It comes with a natural, hand-rubbed finish but it can be varnished for an additional charge.

The ends of the string are plain, but the ends can be knotted for an additional charge.

The standard Gimped string has a copper wire twisted into it which gives a nice, bright tone. The string is also available with a silver wire twisted into the gut which, at an extra charge, gives some slightly different properties. Since silver is heavier than copper, the resulting silver string is a little thinner when the same gauge of silver gimp and copper gimp are compared together. Silver wire is also a little softer than copper, so the silver gimped string is a little more flexible and has a slightly warmer tone than the same gauge in copper. In addition, the copper string is a natural gut color and the silver gimped string is dyed black.