In the discussions on choosing strings for the hurdy gurdy I always see only
plain gut strings and modern strings for violin, viola or cello (for
instance Thomastik Vision). I have been experimenting with alternatives and
got surprising fine results with Aquila "Venice" gut strings (special double
twist gut, a more flexible type of gut string,
http://www.aquilacorde.com/catalogo4.htm) The sound is beautiful, clear and
warm. I think that they produce less noise ("scratching") than plain gut and
more fundamental tone than modern violin strings. Anyhow, with these strings
I get a wonderful sound, especially well suited for early music, my main
interest.
I have tried Aquila's nylgut ("NG") strings as well and, in fact, I like
them better than plain gut because of their open and clear sound. I knew
already that they are wonderful for early plucked instruments such as lute
and renaissance guitar. The nylgut strings are cheaper than the Venice
strings. I found that the nylgut strings work fine on my hurdy gurdies at
4.2 till 6.5 kg string tension. Cottoning was no problem: they are already
less smooth than the usual nylon strings and by rubbing the string locally
with fluid rosin (rosin solved in alcohol) it was easy. However, the nylgut
strings are not so beautiful as those splendid Venice strings in my
opinion/taste.
On the Allegro (Weichselbaumer) (345mm string length) I use 94V (equivalent
to 0.94mm plain gut) for the high g', 124V for the d' and 180V (maximal) for
the (low) g chanterelle.
On the Symfonie (Chris and Sabina Kormylo) (345mm string length as well) I
use 140V for the two c' chanterelles. This instrument was already ideal for
early music and a good mate for other early instruments, playing with f'
plain gut chanterelles, but now it is still more so. Moreover the c'
chanterelles (playing with d or g bourdon) make it more versatile.
Although I am more than content with these Venice strings as chanterelles, I
would be interested if there are alternatives found by other players, not
only for the melodystrings but especially for the dogs and the drones as
well.
Ernic
