James, I hope this is neither silly nor cute, but there is also the question of the size of doors and people at the time. In 1947, at the age of twelve, I spent a summer at a farm in England owned by a schoolgirl friend of my mother. The house was over 400 years old and my room was on the second floor in the back. I had to duck my head to go through the doorway, and I wasn't exceptionally tall for my age. (Nor am I now, a normal 5'10" (178cm)). Perhaps it was just the reach of the arms to tune the farther pegs, or the convenience of passing through spaces. Although I could certainly agree with the balance proposal.
(Vignette, my hostess had a dining room table that glowed, and she was often asked how to make a table look that way. Her answer was "start with good wood, then oil it once a week for 400 years".). Best, Jon > Hi James: > > I view it as an issue of balance. The peg box loaded is probably the single > most weighty portion of the Lute. Bent back as it is helps to distribute > the weight more toward the center of the instrument. > Hi Vance, > > Thanks, yours is the only serious reply so far; but I do think "So it will > fit in the case" is kinda cute. We might think it a silly (not stupid, as > Bruno suggests) question, but if anyone expresses any curiosity about the lute, I > think it's good p.r. to try to be polite and/or funny when replying. If you > give a sarcastic answer, then you can guarantee that's what they will retain. > Perhaps some luthiers have some ideas? > > Sincerely, > > James > > -- > >
