Le 17 août 07 à 04:45, David Tayler a écrit :
> There are several things one can do to tweak the sound of carbon, but
> it won't sound as good as gut.
> It sounds pretty good though and stays in tune under the spotlights.
>
> Carbon can sound a bit too bell like on some luttes.
>
> The easiest, low tech way is for example on the 2nd and 3rd courses
> to get a rounder sound:
>
> First, get a good pair of strings. Buy eight Savarez (not pyramid)
>
David,
Do you mean Savarez carbon or KF strings? (Pyramid I think, if I
understood what David van Edwards said, are basically carbon fishing
line). Martin Shepherd said KF were a form of PVC rather than carbon.
I assumed from the description of KF in the Savarez catalogue, that
they already had a similar surface to gut. I am obviously wrong.
I did, however, think that the greater presence of nylgut over
carbon, that Bruno was speaking about, might be due to this absence
of "texture" on the surface (rather than the narrowness of the
string, as Bruno thought), but mistakenly, I imagined it would be due
to the absence of this texture at the place of finger contact.
However, you explanations show it is probably the whole string that
is involved. Although, I imagine sanding the finger-contact area
would lead to more of a gut-like sound.
Nevertheless, several lutists have complained to me about the
slippery nature of carbon strings, so perhaps at least a light
sanding at the finger area would a good thing.
It does sounds as though the slight irregularities produced by
sanding, might have a similar effect to adding book shelves to a
listening room, breaking up some natural standing wave resonances. Is
that too simple an explanation? You obviously do have good knowledge
in acoustics, if I judge by your knowledge of recording techniques.
Unless you simple use your remarkable ears and just experiment
intuitively, until you come up with a solution.
Thank you any way for sharing your knowledge, in both these areas,
with all of us.
Regards
Anthony
PS Perhaps, it should be suggested to Savarez that they do this
process before selling the strings, or give a choice, like many do
for gut (between machined rectified, and partially rectified gut,
varnished, oiled, etc
). Perhaps, some lutists do like the bell-note
quality. However, i suppose a little hands-on DIY can give a
remarkable calming effect.
> and using a micrometer measure each string in four places.
> Toss the strings that are too out-of-round. That leaves you with
> four :)
>
> Pair the closest ones to make a pair.
>
> Take a small piece of 2000 grade sandpaper--you can get it on ebay if
> not available locally. Don't use cheap sandpaper
> Put a few drops of water on the sand paper, for a a rougher texture
> leave it dry.
>
> If you have not a way to twirl the string, no worries.
>
> Hold the string in one hand and draw it LIGHTLY (did I say lightly? I
> meant very lightly. and evenly
> through the folded over sandpaper.
>
> NB: If you are obsessive about finger noise, draw from what will be
> the nut to the bridge.
> If you are VERY obsessive leave the last bit unsanded where you pluck
> the string
>
> Turn the string one-quarter turn and repeat three times.
> For more evenness (but more roughness) then do twice at one third.
>
> Do not do very much. You will, but don't. Just make a subtle change.
>
> Measure the string.
>
> Repeat for the paired string.
>
> Wash off the dust with a paper towl and a bit of water, or a even a
> pinch of baker soda, or Iocaine, if you have it.
>
> Tiny irregularities, like "bokeh", break up the monochromatic
> overtones of glassy strings.
> You can sand them to taste.
> The more sanded, the less bell-like.
> More sanding at the pluck point makes more skritch.
>
> You can also anneal or etch the surface as is done with harpsochord
> strings.
>
> I have no idea what is in the dust (somehow I doubt it is pure
> carbon), so maybe do it outside.
>
> dt
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> David wrote:
>>
>> "Carbon can be treated in various ways to sound less bell-like."
>>
>> I, and perhaps others, would be very interested to know how. Could
>> you
>> please tell us?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Stephen Arndt
>>
>>
>>
>> To get on or off this list see list information at
>> http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
>>
>
>
>
