Historical gauges requirements

Warning

It is not possible to use historical gauges (that are usually thicker) before checking and possibly modifying the angle of the strings on the bridge, that should be “widened” so that the pressure of the bridge on the soundboard is not excessive so to dampen the sound and make the bow attack too difficult (please contact your trusted luthier).

Moreover, according to historical documents (such as Galeazzi, 1792), we suggest that the strings are kept as low as possible on the fretboard, as long as they do not buzz.

Modern strings angle upon the bridge

Baroque strings angle upon the bridge

Baroque Violin historical set

Strings calculated according to pitch 415 Hz. Vibrating string length: 32 cm

The diameters suggested here were the norm for violin setup between the Mid-Eighteenth and the end of the Nineteenth century, as indicated by the rich documentation of that time. In particular, the gauges in normal tension are the same we measured in April 2004, which belonged to Nicolò Paganini. The gut strings suggested in these sets are made of unsplit lamb gut type HU which have a surface only partially smoothed to imitate the old hand smoothing system. Through this method the quantity of damaged surface fibre is considerably reduced compared to the rectified strings made according to today procedure. The advantages consist of greater stability at climatic changes, longer life of the string, better acoustic performance. The fourth string is made according to the directions reported by F. Galeazzi (Rome 1792) and Louis Sphor (1832).

To learn more read our F.A.Q.

Violin historical set light tension

SKU	Name	Gauge	Length	Price	Buy
66HU	66HU - Unsplit gut string	0.66 mm	120 cm	€9.70 + VAT	66HU - Unsplit gut string quantity
85HU	85HU - Unsplit gut string	0.85 mm	120 cm	€11.60 + VAT	85HU - Unsplit gut string quantity
112HU	112HU - Unsplit gut string	1.12 mm	120 cm	€18.80 + VAT	112HU - Unsplit gut string quantity
16FU	16FU - G baroque violin string light tension silver close wound type "FU" historical	1.70 mm equivalent gut	55 cm	€29.39 + VAT	16FU - G baroque violin string light tension silver close wound type "FU" historical quantity

Violin historical set normal tension

SKU	Name	Gauge	Length	Price	Buy
70HU	70HU - Unsplit gut string	0.70 mm	120 cm	€9.70 + VAT	70HU - Unsplit gut string quantity
88HU	88HU - Unsplit gut string	0.88 mm	120 cm	€11.60 + VAT	88HU - Unsplit gut string quantity
116HU	116HU - Unsplit gut string	1.16 mm	120 cm	€18.80 + VAT	116HU - Unsplit gut string quantity
17FU	17FU - G baroque violin string medium tension silver close wound type "FU" historical	1.75 mm equivalent gut	55 cm	€29.39 + VAT	17FU - G baroque violin string medium tension silver close wound type "FU" historical quantity

Violin historical set superior tension

SKU	Name	Gauge	Length	Price	Buy
73HU	73HU - Unsplit gut string	0.73 mm	120 cm	€9.70 + VAT	73HU - Unsplit gut string quantity
91HU	91HU - Unsplit gut string	0.91 mm	120 cm	€14.60 + VAT	91HU - Unsplit gut string quantity
124HU	124HU - Unsplit gut string	1.24 mm	120 cm	€21.20 + VAT	124HU - Unsplit gut string quantity
18FU	18FU - G baroque violin string heavy tension silver close wound type "FU" historical	1.80 mm equivalent gut	55 cm	€29.39 + VAT	18FU - G baroque violin string heavy tension silver close wound type "FU" historical quantity