Fernando Sor - Opus 60 Exercises 20, 16, 22, 23, 12

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Comment by Akira Sakamoto on May 15, 2012 at 12:19

Micael, thank you for the info.  It is good to know that a fine string manufacturer is going to be revitalized.

So far as I've heard and read, Aquila has found difficulty in producing gut strings beceause Mimmo uses gut of beef that suffers from BSE.  Other manufacturers seem to use sheep gut, so I haven't seen or heard any similar announcements from them.  I purchase gut strings from Kuerschner who I think uses sheep gut as well.

Comment by Michael. N. on May 15, 2012 at 10:41

Akira. You might have difficulty buying the complete set because the plain Gut had been discontinued. Going by Mimmo's response to my email it seems that everything will be fine once plain Gut production has restarted.

Comment by Akira Sakamoto on May 14, 2012 at 11:01

Here is the info on the discontinuation of Gut & Silk "set":

http://www.stringsbymail.com/store/classical-guitar-strings-1/aquil...

http://www.stringsbymail.com/store/classical-guitar-strings-1/aquil...

I've been dealing with this shop for about two years and found it very reliable.  The production of wound silk strings would be continued, but maybe you would have to make the "set" on your own.  Let's hope that Aquila would continue to make the "bass set" at least.  The gut strings are easy to purchase nowadays, so there should be no need to worry.

Comment by Michael. N. on May 14, 2012 at 10:42

It's the production of Gut that has stopped. I don't think it has anything to do with the wound silk strings.

http://www.aquilacorde.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=ar...

Scroll down to:

Caldogno, November 29- 2011

According to mimmo production will start again around July.

No need to panic!

Comment by Rob MacKillop on May 14, 2012 at 6:23

I did not know Aquila were doing that. Oh no, those strings are the best!

So, what alternatives are there?

Comment by Akira Sakamoto on May 13, 2012 at 23:00

Thank you for sharing great example of the gut&silk strings, both in terms of performance and sound!  I've downloaded and saved all of your videos.

It's a shame that Aquila is discontinuing Gut&Silk string sets.  I've also heard that Kuerschner has discontinued wound-on-silk strings...

Comment by Rob MacKillop on May 13, 2012 at 16:28

Ha, you lazy sod ;-)

Comment by Bill Samson on May 13, 2012 at 16:14

Thanks Rob.  There's a wealth of stuff out there that most of us were only vaguely aware of - and you are letting us listen to it.  A lot better than leafing through the scores . . .

Comment by Rob MacKillop on May 13, 2012 at 16:03

Sor said his Opus 60 complemented his Method, in which he outlines his technique and approaches to interpretation. I've done my best to keep it in mind while playing these pieces. The glissandi in no. 22 are original.

I must say I've hardly had to tune these gut strings at all, after having them on for just a few days. Impressive, and no sign of wear and tear.