Dear Stuart, considering the breaking frequency of gut at 37 cm string length a c#'' on the first string at 440 Hz is the highest note that would safely be possible. So, a c'' seems to be realistic. The other way round 42,0 cm seems to be a better string length for tuning in c'' (allowing to be more within "working range" of gut strings on the lower courses).
However, this is just some math and not based on practical experience. For your reference i have just added treble lutes in a and c to my string calculator (you can find at at http://calc.lauten.com/en/strcal_en.htm) if you want to experiment. Benjamin Stehr > Actually I'm not really thinking of a treble lute, but any small gut > (or nylon) - strung instrument with a string length of about 37 cms. > > I know there are string calculators that can sort this out - but just > from experience can anyone suggest a viable note for the top string. > I'd like it to be c''. Is that a possibility or unrealistic? > > > > To get on or off this list see list information at > http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
