Dear David: I cannot use gut strings, my hands are to acidic or something, the best life span I can get out of them is about two weeks. I have tried using heavy monofilament for this course but not carbon filament but I suspect that the sound will lack something either way. The only thing I have found that gives a decent sound for the fourth course is a wound string. This is usually the first string in a set to self destruct. It is for this reason I usually order twice what I need in fourth courses.
Vance Wood. ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Cassetti" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 8:56 PM Subject: Re: Broken string - thank you > Caroline, > > I had a similar experience with wound 4th courses breaking, one towards > the bridge side, the other in the middle. I believe the small diameter > of the wound course (0.48 mm) is responsible for the short lifespan. > > I'd recommend using a plain gut or carbon string for the 4th course. > > Regards, > David > > Caroline Chamberlain wrote: > > >Dear Lute Listers > > > >I should like to thank everyone who has so kindly offered suggestions about > >my broken string. I have a lot to think about now, and various strategies > >to try. For those who might be interested, the lute is a new, 8 course > >Renaissance lute, and was made by the Early Music Shop in the UK. I ordered > >it in June and it was finally arrived in early November, but was held up in > >Customs for a further week whilst I sorted out endless paperwork and a bill > >for GST. As far as lutes go, it was relatively cheap. For me, it was > >sensible not to spend a huge sum partly because I didn't have it and partly > >because I wanted to determine whether or not I would take to lute playing. > >I am personally very pleased with it, though of course it is not as fancy > >as many of the instruments one can see on the world wide web which also > >come with hefty price tags. The lute came strung with "Pyramid" strings and > >the lower courses are tuned in octaves, although I have read that many > >prefer a unison tuning. At this stage, that is the least of my worries. > >Fortunately, I ordered spare strings, so was able to replace the broken one > >straight away. > > > >Today has been quite hot, 38 degrees here in Brisbane, and humid - so I > >won't be attempting to play the lute until later this evening. I think, > >under these weather conditions, that perspiration might be a problem if one > >were to play unclothed. The lute would probably slip around more than > >usual, so I shall keep my clothes on! Also, I realise that I must keep > >trying to play as I don't want my nose to fall off - no nose, no clothes > >... the mind boggles. > > > >My mother offered me a stand for the lute as my Christmas present, however, > >she has since retracted the offer and is now insisting that I need a new > >pair of shoes. > > > >Best wishes, and thanks again. > > > >Kind regards > > > >Caroline > >Caroline Chamberlain BSc (Hons) > >Scientific Officer > >Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology > >School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences > >University of Queensland > >Brisbane QLD 4072 > > > >Tel: + 61 7 3365 4606 > >Fax: + 61 7 3365 4699 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >To get on or off this list see list information at > >http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html > > > > > > > > > > >
