WOUND GUT STRINGS "F"and"A" TYPE

INTRODUCTION
The earliest mention of wound strings known to us dates back to 1659 (Hartlib Papers Project: Ephemeredes) and 1664 (J Playford: An Introduction to the Skill of Music...), but they were not used widely for some decades thereafter: in fact the earliest iconographical evidence showing musical instruments strung with wound strings in the bass register date back to 1680. According to Rousseau (Traité de la Viole, 1685) it was the Viola da gamba player Sainte Colombe who first introduced them into France around 1675, but the most important English Lute and Viola da gamba tutor, Thomas Mace's "Musick's Monument", in 1676 does not mention them at all. According to John Talbot's MS (ca.1700), Lute, Violin and Bass Violin-bass strings are still the usual gut ones, namely Lyons or the dark red Pistoys. Only in the early decades of the 18th Century did wound strings get the upper hand of traditional gut strings, thus revolutionizing music making to this day.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND FIELD OF APPLICATION
"F" type strings are designed with the aim of recreating the typical proportions and materials of the wound strings in use in the 18th and 19th Centuries (first quality gut core, pure silver wire), rather different from modern strings, as supported by historical evidence and by measurements taken from original string fragments. This is our best answer to the needs of musicians who are seriously interested in the faithful reproduction of the musical repertoire of the past. We would also like to suggest the use of Aquila "C" type loaded gut strings when performing late 16th and 17th Century music with respect to historical authenticity.

"A" type strings are constructed in the same manner as the "F" type strings, and are first quality, but the winding material is silver plated copper wire, for an economical alternative.

Note: Because of the strong popularity of the Type F strings, and to limited demand for the Type A strings, Type A strings will be available only on special order. Please inquire

Prices for "F" and "A" type strings will be found in in the Violin and Viol Family listings