maintenance and lifespan of gut strings

[tito mangialajo]

hello,
I'm new in the gut world.
just two questions:
-what is the lifespan of G and D gut strings (I play or rehearse two/three days in the week and practice almost every day)
-what do you suggest for maintenance (oil...)
thanks, Tito.

[Mark Perna]

Lifespan: I'm waiting to answer that question myself. I put gut on my back up bass in March and swapped strings out a couple of times looking for the right combination of strings. I found my G right away and it hasn't changed nor does it appear to be wearing out after 9 months. I swapped Ds a couple of times until I found the one I like and it was on one bass for about 3 months and I just put it on my other bass. What I have been able to ascertain is that they will last longer for me than Spiro Mittels did because I only got about 6 months (8 if I was lucky) on Spiro Mittels before I didn't like them anymore. I know guys on here who've had gut on for years.

I've talked to jazz great Ben Wolfe about string life and I know he keeps his gut strings on for years at a time. When I last talked to him, his set had been on for 3 years. I'm sure they lasted longer before he had to replace them. He plays a lot.

My maintenance has been limited to clipping the little hairs that occasionally pop out. I have varnished strings (D and G) and haven't oiled them at all yet. With the varnish, I'm not sure oil would do much anyway.

mark

[Marcus Johnson]

The used Gamuts you (Mark) sent me have yet to develop any appreciable hairs... one on the G so far. On the lower priced guts that I've played, there were always more of them stcking out. I don't know if that's because of the high quality of the mutton serosa, the actual winding and polishing, or the varnish. I guess it's all three. But boy, they are really easy to live with for a guy who's not into futzing around much.

As much as I'd love to try some fresh intestines, these still sound and feel great. So the longevity question is one that I can't answer either.

[Mark Perna]

As an aside, the G on Marcus' bass had some serious miles on it before I sent it over to him. It had been on and off the back up bass at least 3 times over a 2 year period with lots of playing. I put a new one on in it's place and while it was a little snappier at first, when it settled down, there really wasn't much difference between the old and new one.

I might be hopeless optimistic but I think I'm going to get years out of the D and G.

mark

[Nathan Parker]

I think it's a tough question to answer. Some people get 10 + years out of strings. Others do not. I think it really pertains to you, your ears, your setup, your sweat ph (maybe) and probably more of you.

As far as maintaining them goes, my personal recommendation is to oil them. I oil my strings about once a month or so, and sometimes more if they get really dirty. I find the oil removes all kinds of nasty gunk that my fingers leave on 'em. Again, though, I think it's a pretty personal choice. Some guys use oil, others don't.

[AndreasH]

I've had my D and G on for almost a year now and they're still as good as new. Sounds great. Unvarnished, so I oil them with almond oil every two weeks or so. As Nathan said, the oil also removes some dirt from the strings.

[Mark Perna]

Nathan:

Are your strings varnished or unvarnished?

Does anyone know if you are actually doing anything other than maybe cleaning the strings if you oil varnished strings? Does the oil make it through the varnish?

mark

[Nathan Parker]

I use the Chorda's, so they have a light varnish on them. The oil removes some of the grime that builds up in the "money" spots, like the end of the fingerboard and down in the saddle.

I don't know that it is really all that helpful in aiding in their longevity, but, I've never heard anyone say it hurts the strings, so I figured I would go for it. Also, it's all slick for a few days afterwards, so it's a good excuse not to practice my arco playing.

[William Hoffman]

i had the Gamut Lyons on for over a year and they were still in excellent shape when i switched to the Gamut Pistoys. very low maintenance, oiled 2 or 3 times, sanded off a few hairs with 800 grit sandpaper.

btw i mailed the Lyons to Kevin in NYC but apparently they didn't ever get there, prolly got snagged by US customs as a "foreign agricultural product" (actually from Minnesota), sheesh a real waste.

[Marcus Johnson]

Ugghhh.... that sucks!