Viola da Gamba Tutorial No. 17: Replacing Strings

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Welcome to gamba tutorial no. 17 in which I explain how to quickly and easily change a string. I also give some hints and tips on how to thread the string without damaging it and how to encourage the string to settle in and stretch more quickly.
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Thanks!

[@marinakukhnerikg.226]

Thank you so much! Very useful and pleasant tutorials! I just started playing viola da gamda. Your lessons are inspiring and really helpful! Thank you!

[@samstadlen2960]

@@marinakukhnerikg.226 thanks Marina! I’m so glad they’re helping you!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I use Aquila F-Reds (also Synthetic Frets) because they hold tune better and it allows my Vegetarian friends to learn how to play it. I even changed the friction pegs to mechanical ones to improve tuning stability.

[@samstadlen2960]

Interesting. How does the sound compare to gut?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@samstadlen2960 It's the same type of sound but much more durable

[@samstadlen2960]

@@RockStarOscarStern634 very interesting. I’ll try them!

[@wolfgangh.7027]

I fix the string with a clove hitch (German: Weberknoten). That prevents sharp bends of the string.

[@Tweedolin]

very interesting how you did it. Which diameter do you use for the 8th fret, which I saw in another video of you ?

[@samstadlen2960]

If you decide to use one, I'd recommend using a very thin diameter - maybe .50 or .55 - or just use a single thread. If you use a piece of gut that's too thick, it'll interfere with the sound.

[@hemiol2211]

Sam! "I'm using a relatively heavy string: this is a 0.76" . A propos: I know that most of today's violists like Vittorio Ghielmi, according to the supposed school of Antoine Forqueray (senior, in his mails maybe?) use very very thick diameters, up to 0.88, so I am quite confused about it... I usually put 0.82 / 0.84 on top string of my french bass. But of course it depends on much things, like the main instrument You have, how it does sound better! Indeed the Toro strings are beautyful, BUT in this summer, in only just one month even THREE almost new wound Toro string have broken on three instruments of mine ! (C in a french bass, G in a Treble, and the fifth in a Treble/Alto tuned in C ), so unfortunately I have to say I had many (too many!) problems with Toro strings, along without considering many "chanterelles" first strings that have had too short a life.. On the other side, I've been buying from Toro for thirty years, so I'd hate to change, but I'm afraid I'll practically have to one day if this inconveniences continue. On the other hand, it is not even the direct fault of this or that company, because due to the European restrictions on the processing of gut, this material arrives in Italy (and in the other EU countries) from abroad with almost no possibility of quality control. Or am I wrong? Much thanks for your very interesting lesson, though "opportunistic" aha ! Keep theaching, please.

[@samstadlen2960]

Hi! I also use .76 on my 7-string which has a 71cm string length. I wouldn’t want to use a heavier string because they break too frequently and the sound just becomes unpleasant when under so much tension. I think some people just like to have a loud, powerful-sounding instrument and so use very heavy gauges. I prefer resonance.

[@tabbycatz]

For the bottom strings, do you tie a knot at the tailpiece or just twist for the loop as well?

[@samstadlen2960]

Hi Zoe - I just tie a knot. With open gut, the string is so thick that a knot is enough. Metal-wound string usually come pre-knotted.

[@twokool4skool129]

Toro doesn't seem to sell strings directly labeled for bass viol. They only list the string gauge. How do you know which gauge to buy for each string?

[@samstadlen2960]

Hi! Gamut has a really useful string gauge calculator on their website. I use that. For bass I usually aim for around 9kg of tension per string.

[@WQuietHawk]

How do you tie the fret strings around the neck?

[@javaguitarist]

Viola da Gamba Society of America has video on that.

[@FrogToTheFrog]

This scares me

[@samstadlen2960]

Hahahaha how so?

[@FrogToTheFrog]

@@samstadlen2960 You mentioned the top string needing to be replaced along with the one next to it in order for it to sound in tune, and it just seems like a big ordeal that I won’t get right once the strings I have wear out

[@samstadlen2960]

@@FrogToTheFrog nah it’s very straightforward. Nothing to stress about! The trick is to go slow and make sure you don’t get kinks in the string as you thread it.

[@FrogToTheFrog]

@@samstadlen2960 Alright. I’ve restrung my Viola before but never a Viol. The tutorial is very helpful. Thanks (:

[@marinakukhnerikg.226]

Thank you so much! Very useful and pleasant tutorials! I just started playing viola da gamda. Your lessons are inspiring and really helpful! Thank you!