Occasionally customers inquire as to why we indicate that gut strings are not intended to be used with fine tuners or string adjusters, and that those devices should be removed before installing the gut string on the instrument:

Gut strings are more flexible and stretchier than synthetic or steel strings. Fine tuners and string adjusters are designed to handle the minimal stretching of metal or synthetic strings, allowing small adjustments in pitch. However, the extra elasticity of natural gut strings makes it unnecessary and potentially damaging to use fine tuners:

Increased Tension - Fine tuners are designed to increase string tension with minimal turns, but gut strings are naturally more pliable and require greater flexibility in tuning. Using a fine tuner or string adjuster can create too much tension too quickly, increasing the risk of breaking or damaging the string.

Damage to the String - Gut strings are softer than steel or synthetic strings. The sharp angles created when the string passes through a fine tuner can cause acute wear and tear, leading to fraying or snapping of the string.

Proper Stretching and Flexibility - Natural gut strings need to be adjusted using the instrument pegs, where the tuning can be done in larger, more gradual increments. Peg tuning allows gut strings to stretch and settle naturally, which is important for the stability and longevity of the string.

For these reasons, gut strings are traditionally tuned with pegs only, which gives more control and reduces the risk of string breakage. Fine tuners and string adjusters are generally reserved for synthetic or steel strings, which can handle the precision and increased tension they apply.