Vance, and all, You were correct about the harp knot being unnecessary, in fact it was counterproductive as when I tried it (even with a toggle to reduce the bend) the chanterelle snapped in ten minutes rather than two days. But that might have been as it was an already stretched string (which then snappped again quickly in the middle of the vibrating length - I had not trimmed the peg end so I could keep restringing by clipping the bridge end).
Also, it is not a function of the saddle bridge, at least directly. I marked the segment of string with Magic Marker between the bridge saddle and the bridge anchor and the break was at the anchor. I think my problem is in the string selection by the kit maker - I have written him and he admits he just used what La Bella (USA) told him to use. Someone here sent me a message on string guages that suggested mine were rather heavy for a lute (I think it might have been Martin, but I saved it to look at it in detail, now I just have to find it on the computer). And there was also a mention a = 415, whereas I tune to a = 440. So if my box was inappropriately strung I'd have a "hard action", which I have - although I''ve brought it down a bit - and a problem with string popping. I think that the specs for the La Bella monofiliment strings (courses 1 to 4) are wrong, the wound courses are an easy action and ring well. And as the kit maker himself has had poor response from La Bella, and as I haven't been able to get them on the phone, I don't think I'll use La Bella. Best, Jon ----- Original Message ----- From: "Vance Wood" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "lute list" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2003 11:14 PM Subject: Re: Broken Chanterelle > Hi Ton: > > You can tie the Chanterelle any way you can get it to work but your > recommendation of using the method you use for a harp is unnecessary. I > have been using what is basically a guitar type of knot at the bridge on all > my Lutes and have never had one break at the bridge. Most of the ones I have > had break have broken near the nut. It is as you say the possible fault of > the saddle, which traditional Lutes did not have and none of mine have had. > If I read your post correctly this is becoming a problem for you. The fault > probably lies with some sort of roughness on the saddle cutting the string > or causing an abrasion and a subsequent weakness. I realize you have been > doing things your way for a long time and are loath to change but as you are > finding out, the Lute is a different animal that to some degree must be > approached on its own merits and, in some cases, its faults. Just my opinion > freely offered and probably worth the price. > > Vance Wood.
