"Do you folks using very low tension have a problem with string rattle?" -Ed Durbrow
I don't - but it depends on a number of factors- How low is "low"?- can be anywhere from 4 kg for a tight single treble to 2.2 in the middle or bass. How close is the string spacing (assuming doubled courses)? String length & general response of the instrument? How far down into the bass range do you take the unison courses? How hard do you strike the courses/strings? Where- directly over the rose, half over it, halfway to the bridge, as close to the bridge as possible w/ little finger anchored behind? How low is the string action to frets, fingerboard, and soundboard, how is the neck angle? What kind of strings?A single badly made, false string will rattle all by itself. I just put my 13 course d-minor Baroque lute into low tension- followed Toyohiko Satoh's tension to the hundredth of a kilogram; even using nylgut & Savarez overspun it is a vast improvement- but no free lunch. I do have to play at least halfway between the rose & the bridge, and I had to lighten my touch and RELAX the right hand totally. Thumb out, but full finger to string contact; complete, almost strokingly gentle plucking of the string- much like the instructions that advised playing the Orpharion gentler than the lute. Upside is great fluidity of sound, ornaments almost play themselves, the whole instrument just "breathes" better. But this seems like the low end- as one approaches 2 kg/per string and lower things go very rapidly to hell. I would like to hear other's experiences. Dan -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
