>There are a few frets that would take a while to wear >down because the
>are used so seldom (such as the 5th course 1st and 6th >frets) that it
>might be better to take a gentle file to the nutside.
>Sean
I just had the thought, that one could cut the piece of gut long
enough for the double loop single fret, and calculate the length of the
string that will go on the nut side and somehow pre thickness it down before
you tie it on the fretborad. I don't know what the best tool would be to
thickness down the gut. Maybe a real sharp scraper or single edge razor
blade. Mimo might know.
Michael Thames
www.ThamesClassicalGuitars.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sean Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Lutelist" <lute@cs.dartmouth.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 6:43 PM
Subject: Re: Built-in action? Double frets
>
> There are a few frets that would take a while to wear down because the
> are used so seldom (such as the 5th course 1st and 6th frets) that it
> might be better to take a gentle file to the nutside.
>
> Sean
>
> On Jun 21, 2005, at 4:39 PM, Peter Weiler wrote:
>
> > JAS wrote: " But this means all those elaborate formulas for tying a
> > double fret with a
> > single strand of gut are not applicable. "
> >
> > Not really; as Sean (I think) pointed out, the up-neck fret tends to be
> > the one that takes the brunt of the wear. After a week or three of use
> > they seem to settle in with this morphology (slightly higher on the
> > bridge side). The effect is very small, but I think it's not imaginary.
> > I do have a lot of trouble getting double fret knots tight for anything
> > greater than, say, 0.80 mm fretgut though.
> >
> > -Peter
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "James A Stimson"
> > To: "Peter Weiler"
> > Subject: Re: Built-in action? Double frets
> > Date: Tue, 21 Jun 2005 19:29:25 -0400
> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Dear Peter and All:
> >> Now this is interesting. I assume you put the slightly smaller fret
> > on the
> >> nut side of the "main" fret.
> >> It makes me think of the frets on my Forrester citterns, which are
> > brass
> >> and include a tiny wooden "ramp" on the nut side, which presumably
> > keeps
> >> one from bending the note sharp when fretting a course.
> >> But this means all those elaborate formulas for tying a double fret
> > with a
> >> single strand of gut are not applicable. It also means that if you
> > break a
> >> fret in the middle of a performance all is not lost.
> >> Cheers,
> >> Jim
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> "Peter Weiler"
> >>> om> cc:
> >> Subject: Re:
> >> Built-in action? Double frets
> >> 06/21/2005 06:14
> >> PM
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Ha ha! My diabolical plan to inflate the third-quarter share price
> > of
> >> fretgut manufactories is proceeding apace! Dear Martyn, Sean, and
> > Peter,
> >> and all,
> >> Last night I added another fret to each of the frets on my 6 course
> >> lute, in the manner that Sean had suggested, with smaller diameter
> > gut
> >> behind it, as I was unsure as to how much the fret wear, would
> > affect me
> >> getting the right mix with the existing frets.
> >> Well, the result was phenomenal, not only in the playability, but
> > sound
> >> as
> >> well. I guess these old guys new something after all.
> >> Besides the feeling of solidity, and sure footedness, the lute
> >> immediately had more sustain, not in a bad way, but just enough to
> > even
> >> out
> >> the balance everywhere. It also eliminated, what I consider, a not
> >> musical
> >> transient attack sound, and gave it a crystalline round fundamental
> >> attack.
> >> I think in the way, that Peter was describing, the guitar like
> > effect,
> >> this
> >> is important for the lute, as really, the only thing that projects,
> > is
> >> the
> >> attack of the string.
> >>
> >> If one really thinks about it, half the sound goes into the bridge,
> > and
> >> half
> >> goes into the neck, via the frets. So to not consider the effect
> > the
> >> frets
> >> contribute would be silly.
> >>
> >> This was so amazing that I then did it to my baroque lute, with the
> >> same astonishing results.
> >> I did get a little sizzle on the second course second fret, but I
> >> realize this is probably the most fretted note on the Baroque lute,
> > and
> >> the
> >> fret wore there more than other places.
> >> It makes me think that when the BIG BOYS have tried it, they didn't
> >> have time, concerts etc. to let the sizzle fade away perhaps?
> >> When I have tried to turn on, some of my stubborn guitar friends,
> > to the
> >> Baroque lute, they to my horror, declare that the baroque lute
> > sounds
> >> like a
> >> banjo.
> >> These double frets, transform this, thin high partial banjo like
> >> sound, into a full bodied rounded sound, much easier on the ear of
> > the
> >> non
> >> initiated, and more in line with what guitarists consider a good
> > tone.
> >> I have yet to try the single double looped system,,which I will,
> > but If
> >> professionals who don't have the time perhaps Sean's method would
> > be
> >> something one could try in a matter of an hour or so.
> >> I will put double frets on all my lutes from now on.
> >>
> >> Thanks again, for the dialogue, and expertise, and your patience
> > with my
> >> journey
> >>
> >> --
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> >
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