Collected wisdom
I, for one, am grateful for the information on theorbo tuning and sizes.
I hope the discussion does not get too prickly to continue - Please, swallow
your rancor.
Joseph Mayes
On 1/31/08 8:36 AM, "Martyn Hodgson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I've already very clearly explained how small theorboes (ie up to low 80s)
> were tuned (and even given sources for tablature) and generally really can't
> be bothered to continually repeat myself. However, in case you personally
> missed it, I'll do it one more time:
>
> EITHER nominal A or G tuned but with only the first course tuned an octave
> down ie highest course is the second at e for an A theorbo or d for a G
> theorbo;
>
> OR with first two courses an octave down but at a higher nominal pitch eg
> in D like Talbot MS French lesser theorboe for lessons; note that in this case
> the highest pitched course is the third at e'.
>
> Interestingly, the fingered string length of this instrument which belonged
> to a
> M. Crevecoeur(s) and made by 'Sellier' (Sellas?) works out at 76cm -
> squarely in the range that some modern players persist in using for a nominal
> A or G tuned theorbo with top two courses an octave down!
>
> MH
>
>
>
> LGS-Europe <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> To the benefit of those not interested in a peeing contest but in theories
> on theorbo stringing, as I am, and not in the happy possesion of a list of
> historical theorbos stating string length and setup, here's what the guys
> are talking about (info taken from one of the Pohlmanns lying around here):
>
> Atton
> 1x1, 5x2 = 77,5cm
> 6x1 = 147cm
>
> Ecco
> 1x1, 5x2 = 75,5cm
> 6x1 = 161,5cm
>
> Hoess
> 6x2 = 80cm
> 9x1 = 158cm
>
> Kaiser
> 1x1, 6x2 = 73,1cm
> 6x1 = 157,6cm
>
> Aman
> 1x1, 5x2 = 80,9cm
> 5x2 = 150,4cm
>
> Koch
> 7x2 = 82,7cm
> 7x1 = 167,5cm
>
> Langenwalder
> 6x1 = 76,4cm
> 8x1 = 141,5cm
>
> Attore
> 1x1, 5x2 = 73cm
> 3x2 = 156cm
>
> Attore
> 6x2 = 65,7cm
> 8x1 = 152cm
>
> Mascotto
> 1x3, 4x2 = 74,5cm (original 1x1, 5x2)
> 6x1 = 158cm
>
> The point here is, as I understand it from the discussion so far, not their
> setup (6+8; 7+7; 8+6) or double versus single strung, but their relative
> short stopped strings. Granted that some/many/all instruments are modified
> over the years not all figures above are to be taken at face value. Perhaps
> some instruments can be argued not to be therobos. Fine, but I'd say there
> are instruments left we would call theorbos that have a stopped string
> length of somewhere around 75 to 80cm. And I think enough of these to assume
> there have been more around in the old days. I'm curious too, how were they
> tuned according to you, Martyn?
>
> David
>
>
> ****************************
> David van Ooijen
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> www.davidvanooijen.nl
> ****************************
>
>
>
>
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