Thank you, David, for the quick response. That is very helpful information.
----- Original Message ----- From: "David Tayler" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "lute-cs.dartmouth.edu" <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 7:45 PM Subject: [LUTE] Re: Historical gut strings. > 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 > >
