I think part of the answer is the temperature of the strings change as your hands warm them. I have learned not to tune my gut-strung lute straight out of the case, because in 10 minutes or so I will have to do it again. Instead I just hold the lute (sometimes without playing at all) and make contact with my left and right hand.
If I am in a hurry I run my hands up and down the strings I find that often, a cold lute just out of the case and out of tune, comes back in tune ( or much closer) just by holding it for a little while. Has anyone else noticed this? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Thames" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Sal Salvaggio" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Matthias Wagner" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, November 17, 2003 5:46 AM Subject: Re: 19th cent string question+ nylgut > I've recently made the switch to gut on my Baroque lute. I've had the > strings on for about 10 days now. The sound of gut is almost a religious > experience, but find I can't keep them in tune through one piece. This is > extremely frustrating,as the nylgut that I 'm used to stayed in tune for > hours. The problem is worst when I first start playing, maybe the moisture > from my fingers affects the strings? It is very dry here in New Mexico, and > the humidity doesn't really fluctuate much. I'm getting ready to put the > nylgut back on, any suggestions out there? > Michael Thames > Luthier > www.ThamesClassicalGuitars.com > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Matthias Wagner" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Sal Salvaggio" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Monday, November 17, 2003 12:52 AM > Subject: Re: 19th cent string question+ nylgut > > > > Dear Sal, > > > > > I have an original 19th century parlour guitar - > > > I'm guessing that it is from the 1860's -70's + > > > presently string it with modern medium gauge nylon > > > classical guitar strings. It sounds great when I play > > > with nails, but I often play concerts w/o nails with > > > lutes and baroque guitars and was wondering if anyone > > > has tried nylgut on 19th cent. guitars. I would do > > > regular gut but I've come to enjoy the > > > durability/predictable nature of nylgut on my baroque > > > guitar, they have a brighter quality. - and also, any > > > suggestions on wound/unwound basses? > > > > > > Sal Salvaggio > > > > I often have to find strings for such instruments. I choose weather > > SAVAREZ Alliance or Nylgut for the three trebbeles and for the > > basses I have two alternatives: > > - classical guitar strings from Hannabach, the yellow ones. They do > > have the lowest tension and sound excellent > > - wound silk strings from Pirastro. > > > > Greetings > > > > Matthias > > -------------------------------------------------- > > > > Matthias Wagner, Lute making > > string distribution:Savarez, Aquila, Kürschner, Pyramid, Pirastro > > Klemmbachstr. 11 a > > D - 79410 Badenweiler - Schweighof > > Tel. +49-7632 - 82 86 95, Fax: +49-7632 82 898 68 > > e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > http://www.lutes-strings.de > > http://www.music-strings.de ( strings - shop ) > > > > > > >
