Books › The Violin: How to Master It, 1880 › scan 27
Scan 27
The Violin: How to Master It, 1880
6 lines. Read by computer on 23 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1a string gauge, which may be had for a trifle in any music store, and, having decided the size which best suits his violin and his taste, adhere to that most rigidly, being specially particular to have the different strings carefully graduated in size, so that the pressure on the breast of the violin may be such as to produce the greatest possible equality of tone, as well as perfect accord in the "stepping" or fingering. The most common error is to have a thick third string, under the mistaken impression that it gives more tone. The fourth ought always to be a silver-covered string, and not one of the dull, slumpy-toned, copper-covered kind commonly used. A good silver fourth will last, with care, from one to three years, so the difference in price need not weigh heavily with the buyer; besides which, the silver-covered string has the peculiarity of imparting to the other strings much of its own brilliancy and fluty resonance.
3Seasoning Strings.
5It is recommended by some that the strings should be occasionally rubbed with a flannel cloth saturated with almond oil, but I do not approve of an oiled string under any circumstances, my experience being that the drier a string can be made, without forcing, or it actually beginning to decay, the better will be its tone, and the greater its durability. A string, indeed, can be "seasoned" just as judiciously as a piece of wood, by being kept for months wrapped in paper and enclosed in a tin box, in a dry, cool place. Strings seasoned thus may be kept for a year and longer, and give out a more ringing and brilliant tone than those fresh from the maker. I give that as my own opinion, and the result of experience. Spohr says, "As gut strings spoil when kept long, it is better not to buy more of them at a time than will be required in from four to six months"; but he gives no indication as to how long these strings are supposed to be in the dealer's hands before they are bought. The student had better experiment and decide for himself. About the month of September is a good time to buy in a stock of strings, as they ought then to be "new season" strings, fresh from the makers. It may be said that the fourth string, if not oiled occasionally, is apt to shrink in its covering, and give out a rattling sound; but that, I think, is more a proof of a badly-made string than of any need of oiling. An exceptionally good first string is often found in a bundle,
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