Tom, You have gotten two good answers on the list so far (Garry and Taco). But let me add to them. Garry mentions possible "sharp edges", you can look at that by seeing where the string "snapped" (not always easy, as the string contracts once broken - but you can tell if it is at the peg).
Strings are anomalous, even the synthetics such as nylon or nylgut vary by the batch. Some might say that guitar strings are more impervious to "snapping" due to the thickness, but for every thickness there is a break point. The thicker strings just have a bit more leeway in manufacture ( a percentage error is less likely to come to the "break point"). I see no reason to go back to the luthier, do try the several "calculators" available (Arto's is as good as any, and better than most). Strings die, and not necessarily at a predictable time. My 2X harp has 52 strings, and has been strung for over two years. I've kept a record of my replacements, both from "string death" and "string snapping", only about six so far. And as they can't be attributed to "burrs" or other things, it must be the particular batch. I don't use gut, but I think it must be far more variable in consistancy than any of the synthetics - and the synthetics are variable. I may be new to the lute, but I do know something of strings. Each string has a "highest" pitch, and a "lowest" one (for musical sound). The "break point" for any given length is almost the same pitch for any material generally used on the lute (not counting loaded or wound). If your D is popping, it could be a bad choice of diameter, or just a bad batch, but only if the D is near the "break point" for the pitch. Nylon has a bit more "tension tolerance" than nylgut, but not much. I can't speak to gut, although I know the calcualtions from the harp. Best, Jon ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, May 21, 2004 12:50 PM Subject: Lute strings (durability) > I realise it's not an exact science, but is anyone able to say approximately > how long a lute string could/should last before it snaps? One of my D-strings > has gone now, is at the most six months old. Is that normal, or should I take > my instrument back to the luthier who made it for me and ask him to have a > look? The strings on my guitar rarely snap. They are thicker, but nonetheless, to > go after a few months seems a bit much to this beginner. Thanks in advance > for any replies, cheers > > Tom > > -- > > >
