Natural Gut Vs. Varnished Gut

[awilliamo]

I always get the European gut strings from Lemur and have always been curious about the varnished Gut strings they offer.
Anyone tried them? what are the differences?

[Bobby King]

The differences aren't really that much. Varnished gut has a slightly harder surface, they are just a little less flexible, they produce a slightly brighter tone. Varnished strings are more resistant to sweat and other moisture, and they are less inclined to develop "hairs". I've heard some people say that unvarnished is better if you intend to bow on them, but I've never been able to bow very well on any plain gut. Once again, no big difference, I liked unvarnished better in the end.

[museric]

I've played both, get them from Lemur also, and prefer the non varnished.
The black varnished ones will actually dry faster!
My setup is this now;
High "C" plain gut, G-D-E-A Velvet (Anima so far)

[HCF]

I just got a Kuerschner varnished G-string, any tips about maintenance? I guess you still got to oil the string?

[farmerdude]

I prefer the unvarnished. The varnished sounded a bit more choked.....and I actually had a varnished G break- Ive never had an unwound gut break before that....