page_title: Guqin strings
section_title: Silk
hierarchical_section_title: Guqin strings / The pros and cons of silk and metal-nylon strings / Silk
caption_attribution_description: Photo of Charlie Huang stringing a guqin in the traditional way.
context_page_description: The strings of the guqin Chinese zither are either made of silk, nylon or metal-nylon.
context_section_description: Pros
  Uniqueness: has a special quality and sound that metal-nylon strings cannot fully embody. Harmonics purer than on metal-nylon.
  Elegance: more elegant and ancient to use. Preferred by the traditionalists.
  Re-usability: one string can be re-used several times before it must be replace.
  Less harmful: does not damage the instrument or wear down the lacquer to a greater extent than metal-nylon.
  Stringing: easier to string than metal-nylon.
  Environmental: bio-degradable and natural. Renewable source. Can last centuries.
  Cons
  Stability: tends to de-tune from time to time and requires re-stringing or re-adjusting. Also, the climate plays a part in its playability.
  Strength: tends to break more often and more easily than metal-nylon. Not suitable for excessively hard play.
  Volume: very quiet and requires you to be in a near perfect environment in order to hear yourself play.
  Usage: more difficult to play. Weaknesses in play become more noticeable.
  Sound: some may find the scratchy sounds during the slides not to their taste. Also, buzzing sounds can occur, but that arises from the player plucking too hard.
  Cost: quality sets are expensive, but that is mainly due to the market situation.
caption: Stringing the qin in the traditional way. The end of the string is pulled into tune then, keeping that tension, the end is wrapped around the goose feet. Afterwards, the short end is tucked into the incoming strings.
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