Tom -
I have a very similar set-up, and I can assure you that for
long-distance, non-hands on stringing help Chris Hendriksen is the best;
(I have used him for decades) but in the end each individual has to make
the final tweaks & adjustments that work- and they may be a little off
from any abstractly conceived parameters, however well-informed.
Here is what I ended up with: (made final adjustment just yesterday,
swapping out pure heavenly all-gut for practical concert performance
strings that carry farther & don't have a "drinking problem" when it
comes to humidity.)
Daniel Larson 8-course "Frei" model tenor lute, 63.7 cm SL, nominal
"G", a=415
g-1 .47 Savarez nylon
d-2 .52 NNG
a-3 .64 NNG
f-4 .79 NNG
c-5 .95 KFG (unison)
g-6 .70 gut octave
G-6 1.30 KFG fundamental
f-7 .77 gut octave
F-7 1.36 KFG fundamental
d-8 .92 gut octave
D-8 1.68 KFG fundamental
I find - just by feel, as I have no tension chart that directly targets
the KFGs- that my unison 5th course is a tad stiff, but is well in the
tension ballpark and sounds fine. The next smaller diameter is the ultra
slimy-shiny KF string which I don't like on this lute. My repertoire for
this instrument precludes an 8ve string, and I do not like the NNG at
the 5th course in Renaissance tuning. Fine for open D-5th course on
Baroque lute, however.
My 6-G fundamental is a touch stiff as well, ideally would be about
1.25- but transitions well to the 7th course on down; and matches the
very strong resonant response of that 7th course F.
Another thing, these strings actually have to break in a little, could
take a week or even longer to finally stabilize, and you have to learn
the nuances of touch that bring out the best in them- then sometimes
more tweaking & swapping out for slightly different tension/intonation
levels & responses.
Best of luck to you-
Dan
On 10/10/2013 1:40 AM, Tom wrote:
Thanks for the suggestions. Here is the info David asked me to include:
The strings are about a week old
NNG52 - 8 course lute 5th octave c'
NNG100 - 8 course lute 5th c
NNG68 - 8 course lute 6th octave g
KFG121 - 8 course lute 6th G
NNG76 - 8 course lute 7th octave f
KFG132 - 8 course lute 7th F
NNG88 - 8 course lute 8th octave d
KFG160 - 8 course lute 8th D
As you can see, the srings are either New Nylgut and KFG
--
Sincerely,
Tom
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