Savarez Alto Viol D - Tension 5,2

Gut, the Historical String Par Excellence for the Viol

Long before the era of modern strings, the viola da gamba built its sonic identity on gut: a living material, rich in harmonics, which highlights bow nuances and phrasing. This set follows that tradition, with treble strings in oiled gut and bass strings with a gut core silver wound, a setup highly appreciated for preserving the warmth of gut while adding body in the lower spectrum.

For Which Musician and Repertoires?

This set is aimed at intermediate to advanced gambists seeking an authentic response and expressive bow contact. It is particularly suited for Renaissance and Baroque repertoires, as well as any "historically informed" practice where color, diction, and natural dynamics are favored over very high tension.

Sound Characteristics

The oiled gut of the G1, D2, and A3 strings promotes a round attack, a wide palette of timbres, and a very organic vibrato. The F4, C5, and G6 strings, with a gut core and silver winding, provide more density and sustain in the bass: the sound gains depth and foundation while retaining the warmth and harmonic complexity characteristic of gut. Overall, the set emphasizes an expressive tone, ideal for fine articulations and bow nuances.

Technical specifications

Instrument	Alto viola da gamba (Alto viol)	Delivered string length	120 cm (may allow making 2 strings depending on setup)
Scale length	48 cm	G1	0.063 mm (0.0248 inches)
G1 + D2 + A3	oiled gut	D2	0.084 mm (0.0331 inches)
F4 + C5 + G6	gut core, silver wound	A3	0.109 mm (0.0429 inches)