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Synthetic core Synthetic cores strings typically have a nylon composition core, sometimes referred to as perlon, synlon, PET synthetic, or nylon core. In addition to a generally brighter and more focused response, synthetic core strings exhibit many of the characteristics of gut core strings in terms of subtlety and warmth, without gut's inherent sensitivity to external factors. Natural gut reacts to changes in humidity and temperature by shrinking or swelling, which not only causes the winding to eventually loosen, but affects the pitch and longevity of the string itself. The synthetic core, being inert, is practically unaffected by environmental factors, thereby greatly increasing the playing life of the string. The outer wrap of the string is typically flat wrapped with aluminum, silver plate, nickel- silver, or silver. The advantages are: 1. Much more durable than gut. 2. Unaffected by changes in temperature and humidity. 3. Response and performance more similar to gut than either rope core or steel core strings. Gut Gut core strings are associated historically with the oldest type of strings found on musical instruments (and were used on the original Amati, Stradivari and Guarneri instruments). Strings made from sheep gut are mentioned early in the history of string instruments. Although other materials such as tendons and horsehair were used, the discovery of an Egyptian lute dating from circa 1500 B.C. indicates that the Egyptians were well acquainted with the technique of manufacturing gut strings. In the following centuries, twisted gut strings were probably the most common type of strings used. It was during the middle of the 17th century - at the time of Stradivari - that metal (initially copper) wound strings started gaining prominence. Eventually, these strings evolved into the modern metal wound strings in use today. Many professional musicians, especially violinists, still prefer gut core strings on all but the E-string (which normally uses a plain or wound solid steel core string), however, perlon strings have become increasingly popular. Players adhering to period performance practice also continue to use gut core strings to achieve the correct sound for Baroque and Classical performances. The advantages are: 1. Excellent flexibility and feel. 2. Warm, brilliant tone without harshness. 3. Sensitive response and subtlety. Miscellaneous notes on strings: For any given tuning, the thicker the string, the higher the tension; the higher the tension, the louder the string tends to play. However, increased tension can also adversely affect the tone. The string diameter of silver wound strings are thinner than corresponding aluminum wound strings, thus it is quite possible for a silver violin G-string to actually be thinner than an aluminum wound violin D-string. All 3/4 instruments can be equipped with 4/4 size strings, although strings made specifically for 3/4 size will, in general, be slightly thinner in diameter. Fractional size strings of one size can be utilized for the next smaller size, i.e. 3/4 can be used for both 3/4 and 1/2; 1/4 can be used for both 1/4 and 1/8, etc. The large size 4/4 viola tailpiece with built-in tuners can be used for 1/10 size cello, provided that the strings have small ball ends. Solo bass strings can be substituted for orchestra bass strings when thin gauge is desired.