Dear Simon, One has to be wary about the nomenclature for nylgut strings as Aquila change their formula without informing customers. The old white nylgut was replaced by the 'new' rather sickly yellow material a few years back. The 0.40 diameter strings were very problematic and would indeed snap without warning. I, too, tried every trick in the book to make sure the grooves on the nut of my lute were smooth before realising that the strings were the problem.
There are now 'new new' nylgut strings available. They used only to exist in thick diameters and as long strings (NGE) but they are now available across the range. They are very shiny compared to the 'old new' nylgut and the thicker strings can be a pain to wind onto a peg because they are very stretchy. I have been sent a couple of samples but haven't tried them yet but I have been told by other players that they no longer break easily and that the sound is pretty convincing. The reference remains the same (NG). Best wishes Matthew On 4 sept. 2014, at 18:26, simon.lamb...@stfc.ac.uk wrote: > Dear Lutelisters, > > > > I am trying to replace the top course on a lute with a 0.4 mm "new nylgut" > string, and I am finding that these strings constantly break at the nut > before coming up to pitch. I have tried three strings and they all have > broken. > > > > Previously the lute had an "old nylgut" string of the same gauge, which > lasted well. I also tried a gut string, which did not break, though it soon > started fraying so I had to remove it. So it seems unlikely that there is a > sharp edge on my nut. > > > > I know this subject has come up before. Someone suggested boiling the string > in water for 20 seconds but that made no difference - it broke just like the > others. > > > > Could I have a bad batch of strings? Does anyone else have experience or > advice? > > > > Thanks, > > Simon lambert > > > -- > Scanned by iCritical. > > > > To get on or off this list see list information at > http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
