Some gut strings, most notably Pirastro Eudoxa, Oliv, Gold and Chorda still have the end knotted in the traditional way, normally on the 2 lower strings. The knot at the bottom of the string is intended to hook in to the tailpiece just like a ball-end string would. Do not be tempted to use the loop of the knot as a loop end string – the gut will wear through and soon snap.

The Upper strings in sets that do have knotted strings ie Violin A and E, Viola D and A and the Cello A are obviously thinner strings and therefore need the support of a ball so don’t tend to ever have a knotted end so it is quite normal to have a mixture of ball and knot ends in one set.

Images show the top and underneath of the tailpiece with a Eudoxa string fitted.