I had a Hauser-model lute with metal frets. Worked fine with heavy gauge strings. But when I decided to try some lighter gauge lute strings (like what I'm not using on my more historical instrument), the metal frets wore through the windings of the wound strings within a week. I suspect they would wear down gut strings, also. So, I assume metal frets would have been suitable for wire strung instruments only. But I'm only surmising; I have no historical evidence! On May 27, 2011, at 5:31 PM, Sean Smith wrote:
> > Andrew Hartig has set up an all-things-cittern site at: > http://www.cittern.theaterofmusic.com/ > > have fun, > Sean > > > On May 27, 2011, at 2:14 PM, David Smith wrote: > > I understand that 16th century citterns had metal (wire?) frets built > into the fingerboard rather than the tied-on frets used on lutes until > much later. Is it known when metal frets started being used and what > instruments they were used on? > -- > > > To get on or off this list see list information at > http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html > >
