Help with stringing up gut strings

February 18, 2012 at 02:05 AM · Yes, you are supposed to tie a knot, however, there is a formula to tie a knot on gut strings. It should be somewhere here on v.com or google. Be warned that gut e strings pop easily, almost too easily.

February 18, 2012 at 02:43 AM · As Joshua said, yes, you are supposed to tie the knot by yourself. I must tell you that Chorda strings are too expensive for the low quality strings you get. If you want to go in depth on period playing you should try Aquila strings. They are way better and cheapper. http://www.aquilacorde.com/

February 18, 2012 at 04:07 AM · A standard knot will do. Tie a short strand of thin ribbon on the string above the knot, then feed the free (peg) end of the string through the tailpiece. The knot of ribbon will protect the tailpiece from cutting into the string. I usually loop the remaining ribbon an inch or so around the side of the tailpiece so it's underneath the E and A strings, again as a cushion to protect against breakage. see pix...

February 18, 2012 at 10:43 AM · I play on Aquila pure Gut. Lovely strings but I get about a week from the 'e'. Still, you get 2 for the price of 1.

For the 'e' and 'a' I tie a couple of half hitch knots and singe the end of the string. Then I thread a small plastic dress bead onto the string. Works for me.

February 18, 2012 at 04:14 PM · Thanks for the responses! Should I soak the end in water for 15 minutes before tying the knot?

Also, I assume that to singe the end, I can just pass it through a flame a couple times?

February 18, 2012 at 04:24 PM · I don't soak the end, no real need to. Yes, just pass the flame from a cigarette lighter.