3.5mm @ the 8th fret. Definitely no more than 4mm.
RT
----- Original Message -----
From: "brentlynk" <brentl...@bellsouth.net>
To: <lute@cs.dartmouth.edu>
Sent: Sunday, February 05, 2012 12:27 PM
Subject: [LUTE] Action on Baroque Lute?
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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