What are gut strings and are they really made from cat guts?

No, these are not and never were made from the tummies of kitties. But sadly they are made from the tissue of other beloved animals.

As far back as ancient Egypt "gut" strings were made from larger animals' stomach tissue. It was relatively recently, in violin terms, that they were still in popular use.

The drawbacks? Gut strings fall out of tune so rapidly that players had to tune their instruments throughout performances, and sometimes in the middle of a piece.

As violin science improved steel became a popular material, but it didn't produce the same warm and full tone expected from gut strings. Steel strings have since become associated most with fiddle music, which possess a characteristic bright tone and "twang" that defines the fiddle sound.

[Read my article about the difference between violin and fiddle here]

Today, as PETA explains it, "The raw material used in natural gut strings is a byproduct of the meat industry. It can come from several animals, including sheep, cattle, kangaroo, and water buffalo. Most gut strings are constructed out of serosa, the outermost layer of the intestines of cattle."

(I am not a PETA supporter owing to their extremism in some areas, but this definition of gut strings sourcing was bang-on.)

I am relieved to say that most thankfully there are kinder and far superior synthetic options available to modern string players.

For instance, Evah Pirazzi and Evah Pirazzi Gold strings are made with a synthetic core inside the string and wrapped with aluminum, silver or even gold, which feels, responds, and resonates like an old-fashioned "gut" string. Even our Thomastik Dominant strings have a perlon (nylon) core in their center, which provides the warm and full tone expected from genuine gut strings.

These options are far more stable for tuning, being less susceptible to temperature and humidity fluctuations. The new, guilt-free options are also stronger and less likely to snap in your face!

Today some musicians, especially those playing period instruments in the Baroque style, continue to use real gut strings. I am glad to say, however, the science of string making is seeing continued innovations that spare our fellow earthlings from harm in our music-making.

Check out our non-gut strings here. Meow.

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