Gamut Academie Lyon Gut is a standard length (48", 120cm), single twist, Lyon-style string made with beef gut (bovine serosa) available with either a natural or varnish finish.
The string comes with plain, unknotted ends. This Lyon gut is in the natural color, or may be colored red (for harp “C” strings) or black (for harp “F” strings). Instructions on how to tie a string knot are on the back of each package.
Plain gut strings are available with a natural or varnish finish. Natural strings are hand-rubbed with a light oil. Varnished strings have three coats of finish before being hand polished with the oil. There is an additional charge for varnished strings.
This type of gut is named after the town in France which was famous for a particular type of flexible gut string. From the 16th century these strings were recommended as being some of the best strings for basses. Our reproduction of this string is made from gut specially processed in our shop to be soft and responsive. The gut is twisted in one direction to a high twist for the optimum combination of durability and flexibility.
The Lyon string is not as flexible as the Pistoy string. Both Lyon and Pistoy can be used for the same string positions. The Lyon should be preferred when a little extra stiffness is required under the bow or finger. This type of string is characterized by a tight and visible twist. The natural color tends toward opaque light to medium yellow. The Lyon-style of gut string is a high twist, single spin construction that offers a tone that is full and warm with a powerful fundamental and complex, pleasing upper partials.
Lyon strings are an ideal use for:
- Violin: D-3, G-4
- Viola: d-2, G-3
- Cello: a-1, d-2
- Contrabass: g-1, d-2
- Bass Viol: e-3, C-4, G-5, D-6
- Tenor Viol: f-4, C-5, G-6
- Treble Viol: C-4, G-5, D-6
- Lute: f-4, c-5, G-6, octaves on bass courses
- Harp: Midrange and bass strings
Use our String Calculators to find the correct strings for your instrument. You can find Specific String Tensions here.
