Tenor Viol f-4 Gimped

Product Description

This is a single length, (47"), Gimped gut string with the Pistoy twist, for extra flexibility. It is intended for those players who wish to play renaissance and early baroque performance practice and want the true gut tone.

Gimped strings were first mentioned in an advertisement in the 1664 addition of John Playford's "Introduction to the Skill of Music". The exact historical nature of these strings is not known, and the strings we produce are based on the descriptions of gimped lace of the period.

The addition of wire into the gut gives extra density to the string so it can be thinner than a plain gut string of the same weight. The gimped string, being thinner and having some metal content, offers a brighter tone and quicker response than a plain gut string of the same gauge density.

Due to the light gauge for the treble viol C-4 string, only the copper gimped string is available. The silver wire is too heavy, resulting is a string too thin, to be good for this string position.

It comes with a natural, hand-rubbed finish but it can be varnished for an additional charge.

The ends of the string are plain, but the ends can be knotted for an additional charge.