String types

D, ID Plain gut string
For our plain gut strings we use only the best selected material, then a combination of experience and highly developed processing methods ensure a finished string of consistant quality at the highest level. The superiority of gut over all other known materials in relation to its purity and perfection of tone is indisputable. The use of these strings in the treble range is problem-free due to the high tensile strength combined with the resistance against mechanical wear and atmospheric influences. All our gut strings are perfectly round and cylindrical and thus, true in vibration. For harps all sizes are also available in red and black.
For perfect protection against humidity and friction we strongly recommend our varnished gut strings .

FD Florentiner
Gut strings which have the maximum possible twist are called Florentiner or High Twist Gut. The special properties of this type of string are its higher levels of flexiblity and elasticity compared to that of plain gut. These properties make it a choice for mid range string. Because of the lower tensile strength it is not suitable for use as treble string. This is why we do not make it in the thinnest sizes. The Florentiner has the same appearance as the plain gut string and like this is perfectly round and cylindrical. Varnished Florentiner also available.

FDH Florentiner, highflexible
A further development of the Florentiner type. It is the most flexible and elastic gut string available and thus also suitable for the bass range of some instruments.

CD Catline
A Catline is a very flexible and elastic gut string, designed for the use as medium range and bass string. Its construction is similar to a rope.

LK, LS Luxline
The Luxline is a string especially designed by us to give an even transition between plain gut and wound strings, similar to an open wound string in function. It does away with the inherent problems of openwound strings because the wire is embedded = in the gut, giving a relatively smooth surface, thereby relieving bowing and left hand difficulties. Suitable for bowed and plucked instruments and here especially as diapasons on Theorbo, Chitarrone and Archiliuto. Luxlines with solid silver wire are somewhat brighter than those with copper wire, but only available up to 1,60 mm equivalent diameter.

LX Luxline, special wire
Luxline type gut string with special wire for higher tensions, especially for harps.

VD, VDG, VDB, VDC, VDK, VDVG, VDVD, VDD, VDA, 
VDT, VDM, SDG, SDB, SDC, SDD, SDA, SDT, SDM Wound on gut string
Our wound gut strings are designed to give a full warm tone with a quick response. The gut cores are pre-treated under humidity controlled conditions to ensure stability of construction and tone, then round wound with silver plated copper (plain copper on request) or solid silver wire. Strings with solid silver have a quicker response and a brighter sound.
Copper and solid silver wound strings can also be polished for a smooth surface.

VKD Double wound gut string
Our double wound gut strings are designed to give a full warm tone with a quick response in the very low pitches and on very short string lengths. They are handmade using traditional round wire wound onto prestretched and pretreated gut cores.

ADR Wound on gut string for Hurdy-Gurdy
Special string for the use as low octave Chanterelle.

NR, IN Rectified Nylon
Our Nylon strings are rectified monofilaments with perfect cylindrical shape and true in tone. Nylon is very durable and thus very suitable as long lasting treble string. For harps all sizes available in red and black. Not suitable for bowed instruments!

PVF, IP Fluorocarbon (Polyvinylidenfluoride)
A synthetic string with a very bright sound. Thinner than gut and so only recommended for limited use as very high trebles, because it may sound too sharp. Very suitable for the medium and low medium range. Not effected by changes of humidity. For harps all sizes available in red and black. Limited suitability for bowed instruments!

VN, VNG, KN Wound Nylon string for lute and guitar
Nylon floss wound with round copper wire (KN) or silver plated copper wire (VN) The VN- and KN-strings are designed for all kinds of lutes. Because of their special construction they have a less metallic sound and are not so "over-resonant" in the bass, a problem often found with this type of string. The VNG-strings are suitable for the various guitar types with their brighter sound, loudness and resonance.

VNI, VNO, KNI, KNO Wound on Nylon string for harp
Wound strings with copper (KNI,KNO), or silver plated copper (VNI, VNO) for the use in the medium range and bass. Also suitable as transition between plain strings and steel wound basses. Because of our special construction they have reduced metallic sound to avoid over-resonance. All C- and F-strings are wound with plain copper. VNI and KNI are fitted with ball-end, VNO and KNO are cheaper with plain end.

VSI, KSI Wound on steel string for harp
Steel core wound with either round copper wire (KSI) or silver plated copper (VSI). For the bass-range of all harps especially for high tensions. Steel strings are louder and sound more metallic than Nylonstrings. All C- and F-strings are wound with plain copper (red and black for concert harp).

Explanations of article numbers and equivalent diameter
Our article numbers identify the type, length and equivalent or actual diameter of a string. Monofilaments show their actual, wound strings their equivalent diameter. The letters show the type of string (see above), the digits give information about length, diameter, colour and surface.

1. digit 0 = length 70 cm
1. digit 1 = length 90 cm
1. digit 2 = length 125 cm
1. digit 3 = length > 180 cm
1. digit 5 = length 115 cm
1. digit 6 = length 150 cm

2. - 4. digit: String diameter (1/100 mm). Equivalent diameter on wound strings.

5. digit 0 = oiled
5. digit 1 = varnished
5. digit 2 = red, oiled
5. digit 3 = red, varnished
5. digit 4 = black, oiled
5. digit 5 = black, varnished

We use equivalent diameters (ED) throughout our string programme. By unifying the standard of measurement calculating string tensions is greatly simplified. It also enables one to quickly see what alternative string types are available. The figure given as an equivalent diameter is equivalent to the measured diameter of a plain gut string having the same mass (the same weight) per unit length. This means that strings with the same ED will give the same pitch if the string length and tension remain constant.
Example: A plain gut c string on a bass viol has a measured diameter of 1.45 mm. So the alternative string types will have an ED of 1,45 mm. D 2145 corresponds to VD 2145, which corresponds to LK 5145, etc. Obviously the measured diameter of these differnent string types is different in each case. It should be noted that PVF and NR strings are sold by their measured diameter, not by ED. Reference should be made either to our string calculator or the table of conversions.