Jon: Jon wrote:----Actually the best wood for zither pins is seven layer maple with clean crossed grains. Of course this is Greek to the dedicated lutenist, you don't think other instruments exist (sorry about that, and I know I'm wrong to say it, but what the hell - old curmudgeons have self appointed privileges <g>).
I address this as a separate issue. I slightly resent your implication that those of us who play the Lute are oblivious to other instruments, this is untrue. Most of us that are into the Lute have gone through a mine field of misinformation, bad research, faulty assumptions and the pontifications of the pompous know-it-alls who believe that before the piano forte there was no other instrument in existence that was worthy of the efforts of a serious musician. Many of us have become serious students of the way the instruments were built understanding that these were the instruments used to play the music we love. Because of this you have afforded us the title of old curmudgeons. I suppose this makes it OK for us to assign you with the title of holier than thou dilettante? I guess the question asks itself. If you consider our points of view of such little importance why do you continue to ask questions of us. It seems you believe you have a better idea so it should not matter what we think, or am I missing something here? Vance Wood. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jon Murphy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "lute list" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Vance Wood" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, November 08, 2003 2:01 AM Subject: Re: Purpose of veneer. > Vance, > > I must agree, but also disagree. My usual disclaimer that I'm new to the > lute (soon I can leave that out). Ebony would be rather heavy, and also > Mahogany (or Teak). But Cherry, Maple and Walnut are quite hard but not as > dense. My infamous flat back uses a solid walnut neck, and both of my harps > use Cherry frames. And the psaltery I'm designing will use hard rock Maple > as a frame (and I have bought the wood so know its weight). > > I can see no reason for an ebony veneer, it is to me an ugly wood. Good for > tuning pegs, or other serious work, but no grain that has any esthetic. > Ebony is a wood for strength, not decoration. My "lute" that I'm finishing > this weekend, and expect to play Sunday, has veneer on the sides and back. A > walnut veneer over an Aspen base. The soundboard is a Sitka Spruce laminate, > that is made specifically for harps (where the soundboard takes all the > pull). Pine makes a good frame for a psaltery, but one yet needs a maple or > oak for the pinblock to hold the tuning. Actually the best wood for zither > pins is seven layer maple with clean crossed grains. Of course this is Greek > to the dedicated lutenist, you don't think other instruments exist (sorry > about that, and I know I'm wrong to say it, but what the hell - old > curmudgeons have self appointed privileges <g>). > > Either I am Arnold Schwartzenegger (which I'm not) or the solid walnut neck > and pinblock of my "lute" is quite light. The entire instrument is about the > weight of the slip on moccassins that I put on when I occassionally go > outdoors. > > But Ebony is heavy, and ugly. > > Best, Jon > > >
