>>First of all, what what are the exact tunings for each string? The maker is best person to check with on this, you would then be certain of his design intentions; assuming of course the maker is alive and talking. Some Makers included literature in the original sale which might survive with their used instruments.
One can consider the instrument and todays strings to make a good guess; the response of the instrument will suggest minor adjustments; many players will deviate slightly from the makers recomendations based on their particular style or preference. L Browns instruments are well known to todays string makers, a set from one of them is a good beginning. It is likely you have a 'G' lute, but it is possible you have an 'A', 'G' lute string length would be about 57-60, 'A' would be shorter (maybe 52-55, guessing on this) >are both strings tuned to the same exact >>pitch, or do you tune them in octives? depends on the strings and the instrument, purpose of using octaves is to strengthen the upper harmonics that are commonly weak in thicker strings. Some like unisons all the way, many use octaves on course 5,6; some like tham also on 4. -- Dana Emery To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
