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 “widen” so that the pressure of the bridge on the harmonic table 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Moreover, according to historical documents we suggest that the strings are kept as low as possible on the fretboard, as long as they do not buzz.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 Viola historical set
Strings calculated according to pitch 415 Hz. Vibrating string length: 36 cm
The diameters suggested reproduce the medium ones deduced from historical sources dating back to Eighteenth – Nineteenth century. The examination of documents of that time made it possible to ascertain that the viola used the same gauges of the violin omitting the treble ‘E’ and adding a wound string ‘C. The gut strings suggested in these sets are made of unsplit lamb gut HU type: they have a surface only partially smoothed to imitate 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 to climatic changes, longer life of the string, better acoustic performance. The third and fourth strings are made according to the directions reported by F. Galeazzi (Rome 1792)
To learn more read our F.A.Q.
Viola historical set light tension
| SKU | Name | Gauge | Length | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85HU | 85HU - Unsplit gut string | 0.85 mm | 120 cm | €13.34 + VAT | |
| 124HU | 124HU - Unsplit gut string | 1.24 mm | 120 cm | €24.38 + VAT | |
| 34FU | 34FU - G baroque viola string light tension silver close wound type "FU" historical | 1.70 mm equivalent gut | 65 cm | €35.29 + VAT | |
| 40FU | 40FU - C baroque viola string light tension silver close wound type "FU" historical | 2.60 mm equivalent gut | 65 cm | €43.00 + VAT |
Viola historical set normal tension
| SKU | Name | Gauge | Length | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88HU | 88HU - Unsplit gut string | 0.88 mm | 120 cm | €13.34 + VAT | |
| 128HU | 128HU - Unsplit gut string | 1.28 mm | 120 cm | €24.38 + VAT | |
| 35FU | 35FU - G baroque viola string medium tension silver close wound type "FU" historical | 1.75 mm equivalent gut | 65 cm | €35.29 + VAT | |
| 41FU | 41FU - C baroque viola string medium tension silver close wound type "FU" historical | 2.70 mm equivalent gut | 65 cm | €43.00 + VAT |
Viola historical set superior tension
| SKU | Name | Gauge | Length | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91HU | 91HU - Unsplit gut string | 0.91 mm | 120 cm | €16.79 + VAT | |
| 132HU | 132HU - Unsplit gut string | 1.32 mm | 120 cm | €24.38 + VAT | |
| 36FU | 36FU - G baroque viola string heavy tension silver close wound type "FU" historical | 1.80 mm equivalent gut | 65 cm | €35.29 + VAT | |
| 42FU | 42FU - C baroque viola string heavy tension silver close wound type "FU" historical | 2.75 mm equivalent gut | 65 cm | €43.00 + VAT |