1.In general terms, a single string will be stiffer than any one string out of a pair- but not doubling the tension- just keeping a sense of balance- in terms of feel, tone color, and volume. I have only one instrument where I can use either single or double 1st course, my vihuela. It's a bit hefty instrument (Chambure copy, Harris & Barber) so my tensions may be a little higher than ideal for equivalent lute. Anyway, my doubled 1st is .42 mm gut, on 64.5 cm string length, tuned to nominal "g", with A=400, approx. tension about 3.5 kg.
For a single-string 1st I have used from .44 mm to .46 mm, which can get up to about 4 kg. with my set up. Possibly a little too high tension for average tenor or alto Renaissance lute. 2. to convert an octave course to unison, I merely replace the octave string with a second fundamental to match the one already there, no tension/tone color issues with my instruments & strings. Either a unison works or it does not- esp. the 6th course. Or if it's appropriate to the type of music/instrument/time period for 4th & 5th courses; since thick bass string inharmonicity is never an issue for these two courses on any of my instruments; anyway I have only one 6 course tenor lute dedicated to late 15th - early 16th century repertoire. 3.For converting bass courses to single strings, I don't know quite what you want- converting a double-strung theorbo to singles? -that one is out of my league. After the toy theorbo wars I'm sure some veteran can advise. Dan >Dear All, >what advice about string tension would you give,in general terms, to >someone who wanted to replace a double course with a single string? A: >for a course in unison - B: for a course in bass/octave tuning? >thank you >Charles -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
