I  am the type of person who likes to figure out how things work and how to make them better. So naturally when I started learning the fiddle a few weeks ago I did a lot of research on the internet for setup and maintenance of the violin. One of the things I stumbled on is a box full of old violin parts, which included a total of about 40 new/old stock D and E gut strings. (also about 20 silk strings) The gut strings are "old" brand names like Gretsch, ED Gerlach, Supertone, John F Stratton, Invincible, and Mazzoni. First thing I did was get on Youtube and watch some instructional videos on how to correctly make the end loop, then I replaced my tailpiece with one which will accept both ball and loop ends. The first three which I tried tuning snapped at the end of the loop when the tension got to about two whole steps below E. But that didn't stop me. I made a  loop and put a ball in the loop. It snapped at the bridge. Tried putting a touch of vasoline on the bridge where the string makes contact..still snapped. With that I quit and figured I'd ask someone wiser than me.

A couple of questions....are gut strings suppose to tuned an octive lower by chance?Question two, do gut strings deteriate and grow weaker with age? Those are the only answers I can come up with for this problem. Thanks for helping (schooling) me with this.