I don't know of any gut strung instruments (in the 16th century) with
metal frets --probably for just the reason you state. Metal frets
usually seemed to go hand-in-hand with scalloped frets, too. I had
assumed that it decreases any sharp bend north of the fret to prevent
wayward intonation although in doing so it could possibly increase the
stringlife.
Guitars in the early 20th century used metal frets and gut together, I
presume. I remember seeing an old wandervogel lute with scalloped
frets. Are there more examples of this combination?
Sean
On May 27, 2011, at 2:41 PM, Edward Mast wrote:
I had a Hauser-model lute with metal frets. Worked fine with heavy
gauge strings. But when I decided to try some lighter gauge lute
strings (like what I'm not using on my more historical instrument),
the metal frets wore through the windings of the wound strings within
a week. I suspect they would wear down gut strings, also. So, I
assume metal frets would have been suitable for wire strung
instruments only. But I'm only surmising; I have no historical
evidence!
On May 27, 2011, at 5:31 PM, Sean Smith wrote:
Andrew Hartig has set up an all-things-cittern site at:
http://www.cittern.theaterofmusic.com/
have fun,
Sean
On May 27, 2011, at 2:14 PM, David Smith wrote:
I understand that 16th century citterns had metal (wire?) frets built
into the fingerboard rather than the tied-on frets used on lutes until
much later. Is it known when metal frets started being used and what
instruments they were used on?
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