Scott and Alden--
On 12/9/07 2:26 AM, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> As far as sound are you looking for a modern sound with an historic
> string or a 415 to 385 range with a historic style string.
> Scott
Scott--
I'm looking for an appealling sound (subjective!--sweeter than
bagpipes?), A440, with an attempt at historical stringing, 15th c. in this
case. A medieval sound, if anyone can know what that is! I like a nice
solid bass to the drones. My tuning is single d´ chanterelle, with g, d and
G bourdons; no trompette.
--------------------------------------
On 12/9/07 3:58 AM, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> We experimented with gimped strings a few years ago when we were in search of
> The Ideal Low G Trompette. We calculated the right string size and got one
> from Dan Larson. I really liked it. It lasted about 6 months. The next two
> that we got only lasted a week or two each. I don't know whether it was just
> a bad batch, or something else had changed, or what, but the strings just
> didn't last: the internal wire broke, and it was all over. We haven't really
> played with them any further, time and money being the limiting factors - the
> price is reasonable if they last for 6 months, but not so much if they only
> last a week.
>
> Alden
Wow--that gets to be expensive! On the lute a gimped string lasts
quite a while--definitely more than 6 months. I hadn't considered the
stress on the string of applying cotton.
In my limited experience, I think the instrument sounds fine with its
current Savarez silver overspun guts as my two lowest bourdons (recommended
by Boston Catlines). I am, however, open to some experimenting if there's a
glimmer of hope for improvement.
This brings up another question--What string tensions ranges are
optimal? Currently I have
d´ Chanterelle 6 kg
g bourdon 4.8 kg
d bourdon 4.5 kg
G bourdon 3.5 kg
Also--what's the best way to determine the need for cotton
replacement?
Sorry to load you up with so many questions, but I don't know any other
hurdy-gurdy players.
Thanks for your patience!
Leonard Williams
