[VIHUELA] String tensions

[Mjos & Larson]

Good question, Ed.

Tyler suggested the following guages for gut strings in his 1984   
"Brief Tutor" with these tensions at 415 (if I have read my old  
Pyramid calculator correctly)

(65 cm)
1 = 0.52mm gut (4.5Kp)
2 = 0.62 mm (3.7 Kp each)
3 = 0.72 mm (3.2 Kp each)
4 bourdon = 1.04 mm (3.7 Kp)
4 octave = 0.55 mm (4.2 Kp)
5 = 0.65 mm (3.2 Kp each)


If I calculate tensions from what I have on at the moment I get these  
approximate tensions:

1 = 4 Kp
2 = 2.8 each
3 = 2.8 Kp
4 bourdon = 2.7 Kp
4 octave = 2.7 Kp
5 = 2.8 Kp

I also was surprised to (re)discover my instrument has a 67.3 cm  
mensur. No wonder it's so much work!

-- R

______________

Dear conventional wisdom,

What is the current thought on string tension for baroque guitars?  My
guitar is strung with about the same equivalent tensions of my lutes,  
about
2.9 to 3.0 Kg. tension per string, except for the treble, which is about
3.8 Kg.  I have heard that guitarists like to use less tension for a
brighter sound.

Any opinions are deeply appreciated.

ed



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