String Varnish

Gamut Music offers the option of varnish for plain gut strings, which can help mitigate the affects of your environment or perspiration. String varnish involves an application of three coats of a special varnish that stretches with the gut, adding a protective layer between the surface of the gut string and the environment. This layer inhibits — but does not stop — the absorption of moisture, oils, and acids.

The advantages of varnished versus unvarnished strings depends a little on your own circumstance.

String varnish may be especially useful:

• If you perspire a lot.

• If you live in a hot, humid environment, or it is summer.

• If your perspiration is acidic.

Under these conditions, varnish can extend string life. Moisture and acids break down the collagen bonds that holds the fibers of the gut together, which can cause individual fibers to separate, ultimately leading to the failure of the string.

Varnish comes with a few of trade-offs:

• The varnish makes the string slightly stiffer.

• The varnish can not be put on the string perfectly evenly, so the varnish creates a little inharmonicity, particularly in the upper partial range. Players with particularly sensitive ears may find that varnished strings sound a little false.

The decision to varnish your strings is a personal choice. For some players it will be a great help; for others it makes little difference.

Tone and Quality?

Plain Gut Strings (unvarnished): Tend to have a more open and resonant sound, with a slightly brighter and more raw tone. The natural surface allows for greater flexibility, which can contribute to a more responsive string with richer harmonics. Some players feel unvarnished strings offer a more “pure gut” sound, with the most historically authentic tone.

Varnished Gut Strings: Varnished strings have a smoother surface, which can produce a slightly more focused tone. The varnish may dampen some of the high-end overtones, resulting in a warmer, smoother sound. Because the varnish adds a protective layer, it may reduce some of the “wildness” or complexity that unvarnished strings offer, giving a more controlled, polished sound.

Durability and Longevity?

Plain Gut Strings: More vulnerable to changes in humidity and temperature, as well as wear and tear from playing, which can affect their tone over time.

Varnished Gut Strings: The protective coating helps mitigate against humidity, temperature, and finger oils. This can extend the life of the string and help maintain more consistent tonal quality over time.

Feel and Playability?

Plain Gut Strings: While all Gamut pure gut strings are polished at the finishing stage of manufacturing, the unvarnished texture of natural gut strings may feel slightly rougher under the fingers, which some players prefer for its traditional feel and enhanced grip for techniques like vibrato.

Varnished Gut Strings: Feel smoother and more polished, which can make them easier to slide your fingers along and can provide a more consistent feel. This smoother surface can also lead to less finger noise while playing.

If you are interested in historical authenticity and are willing to adjust to a more nuanced tone, unvarnished gut strings offer a more vibrant and open sound. If you prefer a little more durability and stability from your string — along with a smoother feel and slightly more refined, controlled tone — varnished gut strings may be a better choice for you.

Overall, varnished gut strings provide a trade-off between protection and a slightly more mellow tone, while plain gut strings offer a more open sound with increased environmental vulnerability.