Lutherie

Gut strings: A strong stomach for strings

2021-08-26T11:59:00

Gut strings woodcut

As gut becomes increasingly popular among players, Jenny Nex uncovers documents revealing the pioneers of the string making trade of 18th-century London, and the secrets behind the messy job of processing intestines. From February 2011

Animal gut has been used in a number of ways through history, including for tennis racket strings, sausage skins, archery bow strings, condoms, surgical sutures and musical instrument strings. The material itself is ideal when strength and fl exibility are needed, since it is formed from muscle tissue that is designed to stretch and contract as food passes through the animal. Modern practitioners have rediscovered the art of making gut strings in order to supply musicians involved in historical performance.

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