I tried nylgut for the trompette, but it did not work well, maybe it needed more adjustment, but KF works better for me as trompette string. The nylgut seemed to stretch too much, and was maybe so flexible to work precisely.
2007/4/1, Ernic Kamerich <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>:
In the discussions on choosing strings for the hurdy gurdy I always see only plain gut strings and modern strings for violin, viola or cello (for instance Thomastik Vision). I have been experimenting with alternatives and got surprising fine results with Aquila "Venice" gut strings (special double twist gut, a more flexible type of gut string, http://www.aquilacorde.com/catalogo4.htm) The sound is beautiful, clear and warm. I think that they produce less noise ("scratching") than plain gut and more fundamental tone than modern violin strings. Anyhow, with these strings I get a wonderful sound, especially well suited for early music, my main interest. I have tried Aquila's nylgut ("NG") strings as well and, in fact, I like them better than plain gut because of their open and clear sound. I knew already that they are wonderful for early plucked instruments such as lute and renaissance guitar. The nylgut strings are cheaper than the Venice strings. I found that the nylgut strings work fine on my hurdy gurdies at 4.2 till 6.5 kg string tension. Cottoning was no problem: they are already less smooth than the usual nylon strings and by rubbing the string locally with fluid rosin (rosin solved in alcohol) it was easy. However, the nylgut strings are not so beautiful as those splendid Venice strings in my opinion/taste. On the Allegro (Weichselbaumer) (345mm string length) I use 94V (equivalent to 0.94mm plain gut) for the high g', 124V for the d' and 180V (maximal) for the (low) g chanterelle. On the Symfonie (Chris and Sabina Kormylo) (345mm string length as well) I use 140V for the two c' chanterelles. This instrument was already ideal for early music and a good mate for other early instruments, playing with f' plain gut chanterelles, but now it is still more so. Moreover the c' chanterelles (playing with d or g bourdon) make it more versatile. Although I am more than content with these Venice strings as chanterelles, I would be interested if there are alternatives found by other players, not only for the melodystrings but especially for the dogs and the drones as well. Ernic
