And in addition to all the previous good tips, I assume that you also tie the frets about a semitone distance closer to the nut before sliding it down the neck to further tighten it. Hardest, of course, at the first fret where the pegbox limits the space for the fret that needs the most help. I believe it is about that specific fret that Mace offers his advice. I don't know about Mace, but for ordinary tenor size lutes (ca. 1610, 9 course/9 fret configuration) Dowland recommended that the thickness went from 4th course to 1st, and double frets. I have gone as thick as 1.10 for 1st & 2nd frets on ordinary sized lutes, single frets, so you are certainly in the ballpark on your larger instrument.
On Apr 9, 2012, at 5:48 AM, Miles Dempster wrote: > Once I was using polished gut to tie a new fret and the knot wouldn't hold. > After several attempts (and increasing frustration) it occurred to me to > lightly sand the surface of the string. It did the trick. > > another 2 penneth > > Miles > > > > On 2012-04-09, at 7:25 AM, Anthony Hart wrote: > >> I also find if you dampen the gut slightly ( not too much as you don't >> want a soggy neck!!) the gut then shrinks slightly when dry. >> >> my 2 penneth. >> >> Anthony >>> >>> Mace's advice is relevant, and practical: tie the fret, then pull it >>> higher up the neck to stretch it, then pull tight again and tie: repeat >>> a number of times. >>> >>> It also helps if you can pre-stretch the gut (used strings are possible >>> if not too worn) >>> >>> Martyn >>> --- On Mon, 9/4/12, Mark Probert <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> From: Mark Probert <[email protected]> >>> Subject: [LUTE] Fret tying on a theorbo >>> To: [email protected] >>> Date: Monday, 9 April, 2012, 7:16 >>> >>> Hi, all. >>> I haven't quite got the hang of tying my own frets on my 13c swan-neck. >>> The fret gut is quite thick (1.10) for the second fret and I my issue >>> is >>> that the gut is hard to tie into a good tight knot. Does anyone have >>> any tips? Do you soak the end of the gut to flex it up a little? Or >>> just pull harder and tighter? >>> Any experienced advice appreciated. >>> Many thanks? >>> . mark >>> To get on or off this list see list information at >>> [1]http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html >>> >>> -- >>> >>> References >>> >>> 1. http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> __________________________________________________________________ >> Anthony Hart MSc, LLCM,ALCM. >> Musicologist and Independent Researcher >> Highrise Court 'B', Apt 2, Tigne' Street, Sliema, SLM3174, MALTA >> Tel: +356 27014791; Mob: +356 9944 9552. >> e-mail: [email protected]; >> web: www.monsignor-reggio.com >> >> >> > > >
