> You had me panicking that you were about to explode your guittar until > I realised you have mixed mm and inch measurements! > > I use iron harpsichord wire for the 1st two courses, brass for the > third, then because I can't get .018 inch brass or copper (which I > have) to tune up without breaking at the tuner (too soft) I use a > banjo 0.018 steel; mandola strings similar weight to your Newtones for > the basses. I must try Newtones, I have the gauges and I think they > would make for a much clearer, less muddy bass. > > Though much has been said about iron having a different sound I don't > really think using modern steel (especially good quality plated > circular wire like Newtone) at the top end is too destructive of tone. > > Those awful string sets sold for Portugese guitar or Spanish laud are > not suitable - don't know what metals they use, but the sound is > awful. > > David
Great, David, but what about the gauges on your top courses? Which do you use? And what is your pitch reference? As for steel, I have to disagree. There is not only a difference in tone, but a big difference in feel which I suppose comes from the difference in tension and where the string in physically in terms of its relation to breaking point - where it has to be tension-wise to get the note and have good tone. Not very clear, eh? I guess what I'm saying is, the actual material reacts differently under tension. To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
