What is a strings Breaking Index?
The Breaking Index is the higher frequency a gut string of any diameter can reach at a string length of 1mt. For both gut and Nylgut a mean value of 260 Hz.mt is a good reference parameter. In other words, a 1 meter long string – gut or Nylgut – will statistically always break at 260 Hz, i.e. about ‘C’. Hence we deduce that the product of the pitch of the treble and by the string length (more properly called ‘Working Index’) must always be below this value, under pain of immediately breaking the string at values over 260 or a very short playing life at values between 240 and 260. No problems below 240.
