Introduction to Strings - Part 3

By Daniel Larson

Maximum String Length

There are three major considerations for strings, and these are all related and must be in balance for the string to work correctly:

    1. Length

    2. Tension

    3. Pitch

In this article we will consider the string parameter that is most commonly exceeded and that is length.

When the string length is too long for a given pitch some problems develop. In extreme cases, if the pitch is very much too high for the length, the string will break frequently and unexpectedly. Most often though, problems develop because the string length is just a little too long for a given pitch and the result is that the string is very thin, resulting in a weak string in tone.

There is a theory that, historically, gut strings were stronger than modern strings and could be tuned higher at longer lengths. It may be that in the old days the serosa material was superior to that of today, or there was some secret formula that was used to create super-strings. In order for this to be true the gut would also have to have been lighter than today, or players had to have used more tension than we suspect today, as it is unlikely that the laws of physics have changed over the last three hundred years.

Whatever the case may be, what we have to work with is the materials we have today and it is incumbent upon us to make the instruments work for musicians today regardless of what may or may not have been the case historically. Therefore, for the convenience of modern musicians it is important that string lengths do not get so long that strings are fragile and break at the target pitch.

Of course this is of most concern for the top string of the instrument. This is because this is the highest pitched string on the instrument and the most frequently used. Therefore, it is important that this string be reliable and stable so the musician may have confidence in the instrument.

Toward this end, I have compiled a table of common pitches used on top strings and the recommended lengths for string stability at that pitch. At the far right there is the longest recommended length and longer than that almost assures a string that will break when tuned up to pitch.

Keep in mind the quality of tone that you like in an instrument as well. Longer strings have a tendency to sound thin and reedy and if this is a tonal aesthetic you are looking for, then you may want to favor a longer length. Shorter strings need thicker strings and consequently the tone tends toward being coarse and raspy. What we are looking for is the Goldilocks length that is neither too long, nor too short — and the mean of the recommended lengths in the table below is just right, as the famous little girl said.

Pitch of String Frequency (Hz) Recommended Length (cm) Upper Limit - Reduced String Life Possible (cm)
e″ 659.26 31–33 34
d#″ 622.26 33–34 36
d″ (Soprano) 587.33 34–36 39
c#″ 554.37 36–38 40
c″ 523.50 38–41 45
b′ 493.88 42–44 46
Bb′ 466.16 45–47 48
a′ (Alto) 440 48–50 52
g#′ 415 51–52 56
g′ (Alto / Tenor) 392 53–54 59
f#′ 369.99 55–58 62
f′ 349.23 62–64 67
e′ (Bass) 329.63 65–67 68
eb′ 311.13 64–65 72
d′ 293.66 65–68 76
c#′ 277.18 68–72 80
c′ 261.63 76–78 82


The maximum length of a string is determined primarily by pitch, gut density, and tensile strength. Increasing the diameter does not allow a plain gut string to operate at a higher pitch or with a longer vibrating length, because the added strength comes with a proportional increase in mass. The recommended lengths allow a reasonable safety margin for normal variation in natural gut and for stresses at the peg, nut, and bridge. Lengths approaching the stated upper limit may result in frequent broken strings

Instrument Design Considerations

One of the most important components in musical instrument design is that of optimum string length. The length of the string relates to the tone and response of the instrument, playability, and even the performance and longevity of the string. A too-long string length for a given pitch that brings the string close to the breaking point of the gut will cause endless trouble for the musician.

    • Long, thin strings have a certain tonal quality that tends to be reedy.

    • Short, thick strings have a tonal quality that tends to be robust and a little coarse.

    • Lighter tension gives a more delicate tone.

    • Heavier strings give a louder tone that carries.

    • The thickness and tension of the strings may influence the thickness of the plates and weight of the instrument.

    • Longer string lengths require the hand to stretch more when playing.

    • Shorter strings lengths may cramp the hand, especially on small instruments.

I think it is a good idea to consider the strings you intend to use on the instrument during the design phase. This way you will have strings and instrument that match, making a more successful instrument. You can use our String Calculator to play with different string lengths, pitches, and tensions. If you do not see the calculator listed for the instrument that you are working on, you can use the "Quick Calculator" to work on each string individually. In this way you can use the limits outlined above with your own experience to design a set of strings that will work perfectly.

Introduction to Strings - Part 1: Introduction to Strings
Introduction to Strings - Part 2: Calculating String Diameters