> the implication of smaller holes in the bridge would be either the old > lutenists used a higher tension than we do
Actually, it's the other way round. I could quote Mersenne or Galilei, but it is easier to imagine it on your own lute: Try tuning a 0.40mm gut string to a high g' on a renaissance lute of 60cm. It will almost break, but if lucky, you can use it for one or two weeks. Try tuning a 2.00mm gut string to a high g' on a renaissance lute of 60cm. Chances are your string or lute will break because of the high tension. Or to put it differently: Try tuning a 2.00mm gut string to a low D on a renaissance lute of 60cm. It will be dull, but work. Try tuning a 0.40mm gut string to a low D on a renaissance lute of 60cm. Chances are you won't like it because of the low tension. So, thick string = high tension. Thin string = low tension. I wrote a little something on string tensions including Mersenne on my web site: Http://home.planet.nl/~d.v.ooijen/david/ David ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, January 31, 2005 9:26 AM Subject: Antwort: RE: Gutsy stories > > > > > > Dear Rob > > the implication of smaller holes in the bridge would be either the old > lutenists used a higher tension than we do or the strings they used would > be made of a different material. I've read somewhere in an article > guessing > the gut strings would be different from our modern times gut strings > (assuming environmental influences). I think this is somehow plausible but > still guesswork. Or is there evidence for this? > So I would think they used higher tension. > > Best wishes > Thomas > > > > > > "Rob MacKillop" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> am 30.01.2005 09:20:54 > > An: "'Lute net'" <[email protected]> > Kopie: > > Thema: RE: Gutsy stories > > A luthier once told me that many of the original bridge string holes are > too > small for the diameters we choose for 'modern' gut. Is this true, and if > so > what are the implications? > > Also, many luthiers drill bridge holes on their instruments for wound > synthetic strings, and when you decide to experiment with gut, you too > will > find that the holes are too narrow. On two occasions I have had to have > the > holes widened. > > There is some connection between these two paragraphs... > > Rob > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Edward Martin [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: 29 January 2005 20:20 > To: Michael Thames; LGS-Europe; Lute net; Edward Martin > Subject: Re: Gutsy stories > > No argument here. The extended bass length is precisely for that > purpose.......with the longer basses, the required strings will > necessarily > > require a smaller string diameter. I am uncertain if it gives more volume > and sustain, but for sure, a better clarity of pitch and sound. These > instruments were designed for gut strings. > > ed > > > > > > > To get on or off this list see list information at > http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html > > > > CONFIDENTIALITY : This e-mail and any attachments are confidential and > may be privileged. If you are not a named recipient, please notify the > sender immediately and do not disclose the contents to another person, use > it for any purpose or store or copy the information in any medium. > > > > >
