Just a little comment outside the discussion. I think, as plucked instrumentalists, sometimes we forget how fortunate we are to have nylgut and other synthetics to play with. At least we have the option! Have you ever wondered how viol players cope with only gut? We have to change our top gut string every 2-3 weeks (because it breaks), and when it gets all false, we have to change at least the top 4 gut strings to be in tune. That's easily $100 a month on strings. On the theorbo at least, I sometimes think it doesn't really matter what strings you use, because in the context of larger ensemble work, diapasons are what really matters, and those on gut can last and be heard.
To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
