IMHO on any lute the lowest possible action on which you can play with
dynamic range and without buzz is preferable.
I have 3,5 mm under my 1st string at body joint (10th fret) on my 67
renaissance and it works well with nylon.
2012/2/5 brentlynk <[1]brentl...@bellsouth.net>
Hello Everyone!
Quick question to all the experts out there (if it's possible for me
to ask a
quick question, LOL -- sorry! :-)
What is the "ideal action" at the neck/body joint on 13 course
baroque lute with
a 72 cm vibrating string length "supposed" to be? I realize that
this could be
"subjective," based upon individuals and their playing styles,
etc...But is
there a general consensus of a "range" that most people consider
ideal?
IF interested, here is more background as to why I am asking the
question:
I have played ten course renaissance lute for the past 20 years, and
was told by
a great luthier that "4 mm of clearance is acceptable at the
neck/body joint for
a 63 cm vibrating string length, 10 course renaissance lute." He
also said that
on smaller renaissance lutes, such as six course lutes, (especially
with those
with shorter string lengths...) the ideal action is even lower than
that at the
neck/body joint -- say, "around 3 mm of clearance at the neck/body
joint." I am
NOT a luthier and have no clue...I am only repeating what I was told
by a very
reputable luthier who knows his stuff. He gets this newsletter, so
perhaps he'll
answer this question along with others? :-)
Anyhow, the reason I ask is that soon, I am going to be blessed with
a 13 course
baroque lute with a 72 cm vibrating string length, and I am
wondering what the
general consensus is on the action for such a lute? Is 4 mm to 5 mm
of string
clearance at the neck/body joint acceptable? Or is that too low? Or
too high?
I realize that we are talking about millimeters here...I don't
literally mean to
splice hairs, LOL :-). I am also wondering if the action on a 13
course baroque
lute of 72 cm should/could/would be even higher than 5 mm?
Personally, having
only played renaissance lute up to 10 courses thus far, I have
always preferred
the lowest action possible without buzzing...But since the 72 cm,13
course
baroque lute I am referring to is so much longer than what I am
currently used
to with the 10 course, 63 cm lute I play, I want to make sure I know
what to
expect... (I am happy to make the transition and adjust
accordingly...no
worries!)
Thanks in advance,
BJ
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References
1. mailto:brentl...@bellsouth.net
2. http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
