Aquila Strings - Corde Armoniche
Aquila, founded in Vicenza, Italy, in 1991 by Mimmo Peruffo, has revolutionized string technology with its Nylgut® strings. These strings offer a high, singing quality reminiscent of gut strings while being brighter than nylon but not as bright as fluorocarbon, with excellent attack characteristics. The Nylgut® formula and its innovative manufacturing process have transformed synthetic strings, allowing plucked instrument players to achieve the rich tonal qualities of gut with greater longevity and consistent intonation, even amidst the climate variations modern historical performance practitioners face during their travels.
For centuries, the timbre of gut strings was the gold standard for violin makers, composers, and performers. Aquila centers their research on developing a synthetic product with the same acoustic characteristics as gut—without its familiar drawbacks of prohibitive cost, low durability, and sensitivity to climate change. Aquila's Nylgut® is the culmination of this effort. It enables musicians to rediscover the sounds familiar to the great players of the 19th and 20th centuries while also providing superior intonation stability, even surpassing that of the best Nylon® strings.
Nylgut® is a "synthetic gut" monofilament, perfectly round and smooth, offering quick attack, excellent acoustic projection, and tonal qualities reminiscent of gut. Additionally, Nylgut® provides extraordinary intonation stability. Plain Nylgut® strings blend seamlessly with wound strings, which feature a multifilament Nylgut® core and metal winding. The wound strings are known for their high tensile strength and resilience to climate change, ensuring fast, stable intonation, outstanding acoustic performance, and long-lasting durability.
Important Note: Like gut, Nylgut® is a cut-sensitive material. Before installing these strings, ensure that the grooves on the nut and bridge are shallow, smooth, and free of sharp edges. Use 600-grit emery cloth, sandpaper, or fine-grained steel wool to prepare the surfaces before installation.