> In terms of comparing 11 and 13-course lutes, I have had one of each for a > long time, and they are both identically strung in gut. Although they are > both very nice instruments, the character of sound is far different. The > 11-course is a 67.5 cm Frei, the 13 is a 70.5 cm Burkholtzer. In theory, > they should sound close,
Quite the opposite, rather. Bologna-shaped small 11c vs. Venere-shaped middle-range 13c should result quite an audible difference. > but they do not. The 13 course lute has much > greater depth to the sound, where the Frei is more transparent or bright. This (and many other details) is quite what should have been expected. One of the recent LSA Lute Journals contains articles by the late Robert Lundberg on changes in historical lute building and resulting changes in sounds. Mathias > At 08:23 PM 1/13/2009 +0100, Benjamin Narvey wrote: > > Dear Mathias, > > It's interesting you say that. I'd be curious to know what you and > > other people on this list think about the differences > > (advantages/disadvantages) between rider lutes and swan neck lutes. I > > think the main difference between these lute types is one of balance > > vs. extra resonance. Very tough call. > > And transportation issues...I already have some problems with my 11c on > > certain flights. Does anyone have anything to add on this count? I > > think swan necks win hands down here... > > I actually began playing baroque lute on a borrowed 13c rider lute, but > > it has been so long since I've had one that I'm not sure I can still > > trust those initial impressions. Sadly, I've never had both types > > together to make a comparison. I must say that I like 11c lutes better > > than 13c lutes so far, but then this might be simply because these are > > the lutes that modern makers are getting "right". > > All best, > > Benjamin > > > > I'm one of the culprits. Or I was, that is. My first BL just had to > > be a > > swan-neck, it couldn't be else. It was so impressive to impress > > other > > people ^_^ Today, I'd love to sell it and get me a normal 13c bass > > rider > > lute. Swan necks don't offer proper advantages IMHO. > > > > -- > > > > > >To get on or off this list see list information at > >http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html > >No virus found in this incoming message. > >Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com > >Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.6/1891 - Release Date: 1/13/2009 > >8:17 AM
