Hi Simon, I also went through 2 or 3 strings on my learning curve with nng. I had always used a .42mm gut or [old] n.g.* and tried the same with n.n.g. No go. I went to .39 and found satisfaction. You might have to go down to .37 or .38
Be sure the string doesn't wipe all the lubrication (if you're using it) out of the channel on the way up to pitch. I dab a bit more on the under half o the string for the last tone or two up to pitch. Gut will hold a bit more in its porous surface than synthetics. As I see it, gut and old n.g. don't mind the stretch (decreasing its diameter) quite as much as the nng. Nng is the smallest bit stiffer so doesn't fit through the channel quite as well. As you're tightening the peg you've got a lot more tension north of the nut and channel/lube issues work against you so the nut will be the weakest link. The problem with small synthetic diameters is that they go false a little quicker than larger diameters. Sean * 60cm going to G (A=440) On Sep 4, 2014, at 9:26 AM, [email protected] wrote: Dear Lutelisters, I am trying to replace the top course on a lute with a 0.4 mm "new nylgut" string, and I am finding that these strings constantly break at the nut before coming up to pitch. I have tried three strings and they all have broken. Previously the lute had an "old nylgut" string of the same gauge, which lasted well. I also tried a gut string, which did not break, though it soon started fraying so I had to remove it. So it seems unlikely that there is a sharp edge on my nut. I know this subject has come up before. Someone suggested boiling the string in water for 20 seconds but that made no difference - it broke just like the others. Could I have a bad batch of strings? Does anyone else have experience or advice? Thanks, Simon lambert -- Scanned by iCritical. To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
