It might be -- wonderful place, definitely stop by if you're in SF -- but most Chinese instrument makers, at least the mainstream ones, have gone over to "modern" materials like steel, nylon, or nylon wound over metal, for strings. As David v. O. points out, though, Japanese shamisen and koto players still favor silk.
As per my other email, Alexander Rakov would be my first stop. Best to all, and still keep playing, Chris. >>> Daniel Winheld <dwinh...@comcast.net> 12/26/2009 8:03 AM >>> This place might be worth checking out. Next time I'm in Chinatown for dim sum I will. Some years ago I went there and discovered that Erhu bows don't work for bass viols; I had forgotten about that place since then. [1]http://www.clarionmusic.com/ Ron- That is Rakov, not Batov? I would be very interested in his strings also. (treble trouble, as usual) > David: > You would do well to contact Alexander Rakov, the silk string > specialist who contributes regularly to this list. I've tried his silk > strings on my six-course lute and found the trebles to be, well, silky > and also clear and strong. They are remarkably consistent and the > basses far more responsive than gut basses I have used. > Best wishes, > Ron Andrico > www.mignarda.com > > Date: Sat, 26 Dec 2009 09:49:26 +0100 > > To: lute@cs.dartmouth.edu > > From: davidvanooi...@gmail.com > > Subject: [LUTE] Re: Q on odd tunings for plucked instruments > > > California has a lively community of koto and shamisen players, it > > shouldn't be too difficult to find some thinner gauges, silk strings > > for shamisen to try out on your mandolin or lute. > > > > David -- To get on or off this list see list information at [2]http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html -- References 1. http://www.clarionmusic.com/ 2. http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute
