On Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 12:20 AM, Christopher Stetson
<[1][email protected]> wrote:
Hi, David and all.
First, bravo on your efforts, David! More citterns = more fun.
Thanks.
Historically, cittern frets were made with brass (or other hard
material) bars inlaid into the fretboard, with shallow scallops (I
made
them about 1/32 inch or less deep) serving to raise them above the
"surface" of the fingerboard.
Ah ha! I see. Yes, it's modern fretwire because I have it on hand and
know how to install it. Maybe I'll file it down almost flush and lower
the nut a bit.
I also had special tuning pegs with small diameter barrels made to
lessen tuning problems, but unfortunately it may be too late for that
in your case.
Good idea. I wonder if I could cut down the middle of the peg, leaving
it wide where it contacts the wood on each side (without weakening it
too much?). I may have to test that.
Another aside: I'm sure more research has been done since I was up
on
this, but as I remember carved and built-up citterns seem to have
coexisted for quite some time in the 16th century, with a small
amount
of evidence for a South/North divide, rather than the historical
development of style that you assume.
Nevertheless, there was a transition. (You don't see many carved ones
around today, lol) Like everything else, it happened over time and
wasn't simple.
Also, just curious, but what kind of spike lutes do you have
experience
making? I play shamisen and san xian.
Cigar box guitars and gourd lutes (including an otherwise fairly
historical gittern.)
I hope this helps.
Yes. Thanks.
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