Strings for musical instruments

[BOD]

Does anyone know what was used before metal strings in ancient string instruments?

Sinew/guts?

But what about roots or root fibre? Has anyone an opinion if this is possible?

 

[OldFingersGreen]

possibly silk? not really sure, i assume anything that could be used as a bow string could be used as an instrument string?

handy tip, steel guitar strings make excellent snares as they have a small metal ring on one end which acts as the slip knot and hold the snare shape perfectly.

 

[alpha_centaur]

I'm guessing that it was probably sinew/gut of some sort

 

[hammock monkey]

it was gut, lambs gut was often used - i think i've read that it was castrated lambs gut...not sure why they should be castrated.... i think it would cause my guts to be wound up pretty tight tho!

 

[Broch]

Mediaeval instruments used cat gut (actually sheep sinew in most cases) but also used metal strings surprisingly.

 

[WhichDoctor]

Aren't violin strings still called catgut? I seem to remember that.

I would love to know if anyone has made musical strings and what they used.

 

[Chris G]

99.9% sure that you can still get cat gut (if you really want) from your better than average local musical instrument shops. The best shops are a cross between Arkwrights store and Aladins cave!

Chris

 

[hammock monkey]

i dont think 'catgut' is actually made from cat's, its usually sheep.

the word catgut comes from some thing else as far as I remember,
(one of those misnomers that catch always the QI panel out)

horse hair bows are still used, and I've seen instruments with what semed like skin made into twine, although it was a poor version of a string!

I havent seen tendons used, although it would seem to make sense...

aint nothing going to compare to a proper modern string though!!

 

[clcuckow]

i dont think 'catgut' is actually made from cat's, its usually sheep.

the word catgut comes from some thing else as far as I remember,
(one of those misnomers that catch always the QI panel out)

horse hair bows are still used, and I've seen instruments with what semed like skin made into twine, although it was a poor version of a string!

I havent seen tendons used, although it would seem to make sense...

aint nothing going to compare to a proper modern string though!!

You are spot on, QI Episode 11

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_QI_episodes_(B_series)

 

[Jeannius61]

it was gut, lambs gut was often used - ...

Recently I watched a programme about hand made violing strings. Yes - I think it was lamb gut, it was cleaned, turned inside out, and then the wall was split away from the rest of the small intestine. This wall was then split into set widths, and depending on the size of string required, the number of strands twisted varied from (if I remember correctly) 4 for the finest to 8 or more for the lower strings. These strands were then tied to a frame which had a revolving hook at one end, and the gut was twisted a set number of times, left to dry in that position and then cut away sanded to final size and shape (to make them smooth and round) and trimmed to length to make the violin strings.

It was exceedingly interesting. A hugely time-consuming process, and I now no longer resent the price I'd have to pay for them!

The person making them was French I think,