The evaluation, discussion, and criticism of the quality of gut music strings from different regions and different manufacturers has been at least a part-time past-time of string makers, instrument makers, professional performers, hobbyists, and armchair experts since words were first printed. Sometimes oblique, sometimes direct, frequently with thinly veiled sarcasm, these historical examples clearly indicate that opinions have been wielded every which way for hundreds of years depending on the speaker, the audience, and the intended outcome.
Additionally, we have found some of the earliest references to American-made gut music strings — made of beef gut, presumably from the Chicago Union Stockyards — and people had real strong opinions.
Here are a few select examples of such historical trash-talking.