There are a few frets that would take a while to wear down because the are used so seldom (such as the 5th course 1st and 6th frets) that it might be better to take a gentle file to the nutside.
Sean On Jun 21, 2005, at 4:39 PM, Peter Weiler wrote: > JAS wrote: " But this means all those elaborate formulas for tying a > double fret with a > single strand of gut are not applicable. " > > Not really; as Sean (I think) pointed out, the up-neck fret tends to be > the one that takes the brunt of the wear. After a week or three of use > they seem to settle in with this morphology (slightly higher on the > bridge side). The effect is very small, but I think it's not imaginary. > I do have a lot of trouble getting double fret knots tight for anything > greater than, say, 0.80 mm fretgut though. > > -Peter > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "James A Stimson" > To: "Peter Weiler" > Subject: Re: Built-in action? Double frets > Date: Tue, 21 Jun 2005 19:29:25 -0400 > >> >> >> >> >> >> Dear Peter and All: >> Now this is interesting. I assume you put the slightly smaller fret > on the >> nut side of the "main" fret. >> It makes me think of the frets on my Forrester citterns, which are > brass >> and include a tiny wooden "ramp" on the nut side, which presumably > keeps >> one from bending the note sharp when fretting a course. >> But this means all those elaborate formulas for tying a double fret > with a >> single strand of gut are not applicable. It also means that if you > break a >> fret in the middle of a performance all is not lost. >> Cheers, >> Jim >> >> >> >> >> "Peter Weiler" >>> om> cc: >> Subject: Re: >> Built-in action? Double frets >> 06/21/2005 06:14 >> PM >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Ha ha! My diabolical plan to inflate the third-quarter share price > of >> fretgut manufactories is proceeding apace! Dear Martyn, Sean, and > Peter, >> and all, >> Last night I added another fret to each of the frets on my 6 course >> lute, in the manner that Sean had suggested, with smaller diameter > gut >> behind it, as I was unsure as to how much the fret wear, would > affect me >> getting the right mix with the existing frets. >> Well, the result was phenomenal, not only in the playability, but > sound >> as >> well. I guess these old guys new something after all. >> Besides the feeling of solidity, and sure footedness, the lute >> immediately had more sustain, not in a bad way, but just enough to > even >> out >> the balance everywhere. It also eliminated, what I consider, a not >> musical >> transient attack sound, and gave it a crystalline round fundamental >> attack. >> I think in the way, that Peter was describing, the guitar like > effect, >> this >> is important for the lute, as really, the only thing that projects, > is >> the >> attack of the string. >> >> If one really thinks about it, half the sound goes into the bridge, > and >> half >> goes into the neck, via the frets. So to not consider the effect > the >> frets >> contribute would be silly. >> >> This was so amazing that I then did it to my baroque lute, with the >> same astonishing results. >> I did get a little sizzle on the second course second fret, but I >> realize this is probably the most fretted note on the Baroque lute, > and >> the >> fret wore there more than other places. >> It makes me think that when the BIG BOYS have tried it, they didn't >> have time, concerts etc. to let the sizzle fade away perhaps? >> When I have tried to turn on, some of my stubborn guitar friends, > to the >> Baroque lute, they to my horror, declare that the baroque lute > sounds >> like a >> banjo. >> These double frets, transform this, thin high partial banjo like >> sound, into a full bodied rounded sound, much easier on the ear of > the >> non >> initiated, and more in line with what guitarists consider a good > tone. >> I have yet to try the single double looped system,,which I will, > but If >> professionals who don't have the time perhaps Sean's method would > be >> something one could try in a matter of an hour or so. >> I will put double frets on all my lutes from now on. >> >> Thanks again, for the dialogue, and expertise, and your patience > with my >> journey >> >> -- >> ___________________________________________________________ >> Sign-up for Ads Free at Mail.com >> http://promo.mail.com/adsfreejump.htm >> >> >> -- >> >> To get on or off this list see list information at >> http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html > > -- > ___________________________________________________________ > Sign-up for Ads Free at Mail.com > http://promo.mail.com/adsfreejump.htm > > > --
