There are several things one can do to tweak the sound of carbon, but it won't sound as good as gut. It sounds pretty good though and stays in tune under the spotlights.
Carbon can sound a bit too bell like on some luttes. The easiest, low tech way is for example on the 2nd and 3rd courses to get a rounder sound: First, get a good pair of strings. Buy eight Savarez (not pyramid) and using a micrometer measure each string in four places. Toss the strings that are too out-of-round. That leaves you with four :) Pair the closest ones to make a pair. Take a small piece of 2000 grade sandpaper--you can get it on ebay if not available locally. Don't use cheap sandpaper Put a few drops of water on the sand paper, for a a rougher texture leave it dry. If you have not a way to twirl the string, no worries. Hold the string in one hand and draw it LIGHTLY (did I say lightly? I meant very lightly. and evenly through the folded over sandpaper. NB: If you are obsessive about finger noise, draw from what will be the nut to the bridge. If you are VERY obsessive leave the last bit unsanded where you pluck the string Turn the string one-quarter turn and repeat three times. For more evenness (but more roughness) then do twice at one third. Do not do very much. You will, but don't. Just make a subtle change. Measure the string. Repeat for the paired string. Wash off the dust with a paper towl and a bit of water, or a even a pinch of baker soda, or Iocaine, if you have it. Tiny irregularities, like "bokeh", break up the monochromatic overtones of glassy strings. You can sand them to taste. The more sanded, the less bell-like. More sanding at the pluck point makes more skritch. You can also anneal or etch the surface as is done with harpsochord strings. I have no idea what is in the dust (somehow I doubt it is pure carbon), so maybe do it outside. dt >David wrote: > >"Carbon can be treated in various ways to sound less bell-like." > >I, and perhaps others, would be very interested to know how. Could you >please tell us? > >Thanks! > >Stephen Arndt > > > >To get on or off this list see list information at >http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
