Gut Strings

Short for “catgut strings.” Catgut strings are prized by some players for having a rich, mellow sound. This is a cord made out of the natural fibers found in the intestinal walls of animals (not necessarily cats). The intestines are scrapped clean and the strands are then twisted together to make instrument strings. However, the quality is less consistent than with modern materials, and of course some people find the idea of their strings being strands of intestines to be gross.