Straight out of the package the metal winding is uneven. The string is usable as an open string, but playing with the left hand is quite uncomfortable because of the wire protruding from the gut core in many places. Which makes this an expensive string to just play open E and nothing else, although the sound is quite good. I will now play the "One Note Samba" in E major for a few months, till i have saved enough money for a better string. Always look on the bright side of life :-)