Samuel, No apologies needed. For strings I'd avoid any pre-packaged sets. These seem to have little relationship with any playing reality. I've also had little success with finding strings of adequate tension using several online calculators - I either end op with broken strings or floppy rubber bands, often produced by the same program.
I'd highly recommend Chris Henriksen from Boston Catlines: [email protected], (617) 776-8688. Speak with him on the phone and he will assemble a customized set, sometimes of mixed materials and manufacturers, that is ideal for your specific instrument and playing needs. For me, he plays things a bit on the safe side in regards to tension, but this might be just what is needed for your lute. Chris Christopher Wilke Lutenist, Guitarist and Composer www.christopherwilke.com --- On Tue, 6/8/10, Samuel Jacques <[email protected]> wrote: > From: Samuel Jacques <[email protected]> > Subject: [LUTE] my apologies, beginner's question on strings > To: [email protected] > Date: Tuesday, June 8, 2010, 10:17 AM > > Hi list, I am VERY sorry to write this as > a new email, but the archives > havenot given me the information I am > seeking. > I purchased a 60cm 1977 james cox lute > (very light instrument), with > some repaired crackson the spruce > top. the previous person had put > nylon strings on the instrument and the > spruce top evenwarped up > underthe bridge and warped down on top of > the bridge. My guess is this > is due to high string tension? > Should i let the instrument rest without > strings with higher humidity > to remove the warp? would that > work? > Also I had to remove the old strings as > they were VERY old. now I need > to buy a new set of stings, I see many la > bell and pyramid string sets > online, but I think that they will be too > high-tension for this > instrument. So I am looking at > buying lower tension strings (thinner > diameter?), but do not know what diameter > I should buy for each course. > Does anyone know where I could get the > diameters i need for each > course? Or should i simply put on > the pyramid sets I see online > everywhere? I can't afford gut, > unfortunately. > thanks list! > > -- > > > To get on or off this list see list information at > http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html > To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
