[LUTE] Re: Strings 'n' things
Could any of you give some advice about where to buy strings, of gut or of nylon? Who makes the best? Who gives the best value for money? Any warnings? You could just contact someone who sells lots of strings retail and just tell them who you are, your playing level, and what type/size lute (size is measured from bridge to nut in centimeters) you have. I use a man named Olav Chris Hendrickson ([EMAIL PROTECTED]), but probably a few inquiries or internet searches would turn up other knowledgeable, diligent, quick, and fair retailers. For example, I seem to recall seeing a list at the web site of the American Lute Society. To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Strings 'n' things
Chris does a great job! - Original Message - From: Herbert Ward [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: lute@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Monday, October 31, 2005 10:06 AM Subject: [LUTE] Re: Strings 'n' things Could any of you give some advice about where to buy strings, of gut or of nylon? Who makes the best? Who gives the best value for money? Any warnings? You could just contact someone who sells lots of strings retail and just tell them who you are, your playing level, and what type/size lute (size is measured from bridge to nut in centimeters) you have. I use a man named Olav Chris Hendrickson ([EMAIL PROTECTED]), but probably a few inquiries or internet searches would turn up other knowledgeable, diligent, quick, and fair retailers. For example, I seem to recall seeing a list at the web site of the American Lute Society. To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Strings 'n' things
It should be noted that the momofiliment for nylon strings is not being made exclusively for instrument strings. The price of nylon strings is kept down because the great volume of this stuff is being produced for industrial purposes. What we need is a military use for gut strings. Then miles of the stuff would be produced and the price would drop to $1 a string. Craig Craig R. Pierpont Another Era Lutherie www.anotherera.com Carl Donsbach [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: However, consider that if gut were all that were available, there would be more and larger manufactors. Think of all the guitar string makers that are putting out nothing but nylon - they'd be making gut strings instead, looking for ways to improve them and make them cheaper... quality and durability would go up and the prices would go down. It probably wouldn't be so bad. -Carl Donsbach - Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click. -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Strings 'n' things
It should be noted that the momofiliment for nylon strings is not being made exclusively for instrument strings. The price of nylon strings is kept down because the great volume of this stuff is being produced for industrial purposes. I've tried fishing line before. Very bad as a lute string: thuddy tone and untrue. If you use it in an emergency, don't expect much. To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Strings 'n' things
At 11:30 AM 10/28/2005, Herbert Ward wrote: I've tried fishing line before. Very bad as a lute string: thuddy tone and untrue. If you use it in an emergency, don't expect much. I have used it in an emergency too, and it strikes me as akin to any other nylon. I think, as in nylon monofilaments concocted with the intent to be musical instrument strings, you tend to get what you pay for. If you buy quality fishing line of a respected brand, it should be of relatively consistent quality and of relatively true diameter corresponding to that printed on the package. If you buy K-Mart's (a US discount department store) house brand, you're likely to get stretchy, low-quality, untrue junk. I also often buy fishing line with the intent to catch fish, but that's talk for a different forum. Eugene To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Strings 'n' things
I'm new to lute-playing (and didn't come to it from guitar, but from playing early music on winds) so have learned a great deal from this discussion strings - thanks. Could any of you give some advice about where to buy strings, of gut or of nylon? Who makes the best? Who gives the best value for money? Any warnings? thanks in advance, Katherine Davies --- Eugene C. Braig IV [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: At 11:30 AM 10/28/2005, Herbert Ward wrote: I've tried fishing line before. Very bad as a lute string: thuddy tone and untrue. If you use it in an emergency, don't expect much. I have used it in an emergency too, and it strikes me as akin to any other nylon. I think, as in nylon monofilaments concocted with the intent to be musical instrument strings, you tend to get what you pay for. If you buy quality fishing line of a respected brand, it should be of relatively consistent quality and of relatively true diameter corresponding to that printed on the package. If you buy K-Mart's (a US discount department store) house brand, you're likely to get stretchy, low-quality, untrue junk. I also often buy fishing line with the intent to catch fish, but that's talk for a different forum. Eugene To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Strings 'n' things
I recall talking to Julian Bream after a concert 25 years ago, and I asked what brand of strings he uses. He replied, I use fishing line. Actually, Toyohiko Satoh was the first tot use carbon strings in or around 1986. They were brought to his attention, in that it came on spools it was a form of fishing line, made in Japan. I think the brand name was Seaguar. ed That's the brand I'm using. RT At 10:30 AM 10/28/2005 -0500, Herbert Ward wrote: It should be noted that the momofiliment for nylon strings is not being made exclusively for instrument strings. The price of nylon strings is kept down because the great volume of this stuff is being produced for industrial purposes. I've tried fishing line before. Very bad as a lute string: thuddy tone and untrue. If you use it in an emergency, don't expect much. To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html Edward Martin 2817 East 2nd Street Duluth, Minnesota 55812 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] voice: (218) 728-1202
[LUTE] Re: Strings 'n' things
aquila corde if you're in the us: http://www.aquilausa.com/ aquila corde if you're in europe: http://www.aquilacorde.com/ they make strings for a wide variety of musical instruments from a dense nylon called nylgut - a synthetic alternative to gut. some think they're fabulous, others less so - check the archives for past postings: http://www.mail-archive.com/vihuela%40cs.dartmouth.edu/ http://www.mail-archive.com/lute%40cs.dartmouth.edu/ - bill --- Katherine Davies [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm new to lute-playing (and didn't come to it from guitar, but from playing early music on winds) so have learned a great deal from this discussion strings - thanks. Could any of you give some advice about where to buy strings, of gut or of nylon? Who makes the best? Who gives the best value for money? Any warnings? thanks in advance, Katherine Davies --- Eugene C. Braig IV [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: At 11:30 AM 10/28/2005, Herbert Ward wrote: I've tried fishing line before. Very bad as a lute string: thuddy tone and untrue. If you use it in an emergency, don't expect much. I have used it in an emergency too, and it strikes me as akin to any other nylon. I think, as in nylon monofilaments concocted with the intent to be musical instrument strings, you tend to get what you pay for. If you buy quality fishing line of a respected brand, it should be of relatively consistent quality and of relatively true diameter corresponding to that printed on the package. If you buy K-Mart's (a US discount department store) house brand, you're likely to get stretchy, low-quality, untrue junk. I also often buy fishing line with the intent to catch fish, but that's talk for a different forum. Eugene To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html ___ Yahoo! Messenger - NEW crystal clear PC to PC calling worldwide with voicemail http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
[LUTE] Re: Strings 'n' things
There are emergencies and then there are necessities. My flat back was designed too with too long a VL for a G tuning of the chanterelle, a fact that the kit maker has corrected in his new version (due to my input). You all know that gut has a lower breaking pitch (given length) than the synthetics, but there is also a small difference with the Nylgut, the nylon and the fishing line - and in that order. I can tune to F with Nylgut, and F# with musical nylon - but I can hold G with fishing line. Among those latter three it is just a small difference in the tensile strength/density combination. Not the best solution, the better would be to have an instrument of the right length for the desired tuning (and I'm building that now). Best, Jon To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Strings 'n' things (Was New boy..)
It is mainly because synthetic strings have become available that more people can take up the lute! If we had to rely solely on gut-strings, many would give up in exasperation at their short life and their high-price to keep a lute playable. I agree with you. We must be grateful to the professionals who use gut for performances. But, it does make economic sense to use synthetic strings for durability the rest of the time. I think we must be grateful to all professional lute players (gut or synthetic) for the work they do. Everyone has his/her own reason for using one or another string material and sort of instrument. Whether we use Nylon, Nylgut or Carbon, we don't wish to be mocked for that. Each to his/her own and the pleasure we derive from such strings. Again, I agree with you ; ) saludos, A To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Strings 'n' things (Was New boy..)
--On Thursday, October 27, 2005 11:39 AM +0100 Ron Fletcher [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It is mainly because synthetic strings have become available that more people can take up the lute! If we had to rely solely on gut-strings, many would give up in exasperation at their short life and their high-price to keep a lute playable. We must be grateful to the professionals who use gut for performances. But, it does make economic sense to use synthetic strings for durability the rest of the time. However, consider that if gut were all that were available, there would be more and larger manufactors. Think of all the guitar string makers that are putting out nothing but nylon - they'd be making gut strings instead, looking for ways to improve them and make them cheaper... quality and durability would go up and the prices would go down. It probably wouldn't be so bad. Whether we use Nylon, Nylgut or Carbon, we don't wish to be mocked for that. Each to his/her own and the pleasure we derive from such strings. Well said! -Carl Donsbach To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
