As to the quality of the wire: inconsistent diameter would not
matter as much if strings are played open only. The main problem comes when
fretting a string that is false, particularly if the frets are fixed. Of
course, true strings would surely sound better.
Regards,
Leonard Williams
_
[: :]
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!~¿
On 2/17/08 12:42 PM, "Colin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Yes, I was wondering where they got the strings from. I came across a similar
> stumbling block some years ago when trying to restring an old piano.
> In the UK, you were unable to buy the piano wire on a roll unless you were a
> member of the piano tuner's union.
> I could, however, go to Southern Ireland where I could buy it without
> restriction.
> I daresay the quality of the wire would not need to be that good provided that
> it was tensile enough and there are many constructions that use high-grade
> steel wire (single strand).
> Of course, wound wire is another matter. I have had problems getting banjo
> strings long enough to fit a long-arm banjo for years now and had many blank
> looks when asking "how long are the strings" to the sales assistant. 5-string
> banjo strings ( 2nd and 3rd) are usually just too short for the job.
> Colin Hill
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Nathan Roy
> To: [email protected]
> Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 1:38 PM
> Subject: RE: [HG] Musical house.
>
>
> Hmm... I'd like to know how they managed to find music-quality strings in the
> lengths needed for these instruments. I've been researching the trumpet marine
> (which is at least somewhat related to the hurdy-gurdy, as it probably
> inspired the trompette string) for a while now, and one frustration has been
> the limited scaling options. My hope was that 'cello and double bass strings
> were produced on enormous spools in the factory, and cut up only further down
> the line, but so far I've had no luck finding a source that allows me to
> bypass that last step. Gut is limited by the length of a sheep's intestine to
> something around six feet, and there doesn't seem to be any other kind of
> string for bowed instruments available in custom lengths. I guess it would be
> a good idea to contact these people for more information. For some reason,
> I've been working under the assumption that makeshift materials such as
> monofilament fishing line and aircraft wire are not made to high enough
> tolerances of uniformity, and would respond poorly to a bow, but perhaps I'm
> just being ridiculous there.
>
> Incidentally, since the strings in these instruments vibrate up and down their
> length rather than side to side, the wheel in a hurdy-gurdy adaptation should
> probably be mounted at ninetly degrees to the standard design, almost like my
> silly vertical bow idea. Also, there may be no way to activate a trompette
> bridge with longitudinal compression waves. Interesting stuff, at any rate...
>
> Nathan Roy
>
>
>> Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2008 19:06:45 -0700
>> To: [email protected]
>> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> Subject: Re: [HG] Musical house.
>>
>> That's pretty amazing. It reminds me of something I heard some years
>> ago called The Long String Instrument,
>> http://www.newalbion.com/NA102/ . Great if you like drones.
>> Juan
>>
>>
>> I got this link from another list I am on (bowed Psaltery) and, as it
>> uses rosin to sound, thought the list members may be interested.
>> Do watch the movies, the sound is amazing.
>> Now, if we could add a wheel and trompette..........
>> http://www.symphonichouse.com/
>>
>> Colin Hill
>>
>
>
>
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