Hello Martin,
Nice site and blog.
I seem to recall that when loaded strings first came out (25 yrs ago?)
that some of the evidence for their use was found in the small diameter
holes in some lute bridges. To maintain string tensions at around
present day levels the hypothesis was therefore that the old bass
strings would have been dense than plain gut - hence 'loaded'.
I also recall that somebody (might have been Eph Segerman) at the time
also pointed out an alternative for such relatively small diameter
holes: that the tensions of the bass strings might be much lower than
the upper courses. In short just as you're suggesting. My experience of
doing this at the time was that one needed to play very close to the
bridge to gain any projection and, of course, this is precisely what
most old sources (from c.1600 onwards) tell us. So you may be right -
that basses were often(always?) at a significantly lower tension than
the upper courses.
Having said this, I did like Mimmo's loaded strings very much and, of
course, they also possibly indicate loading because of their
distinctive colour. All food for thought......
regards,
Martyn
__________________________________________________________________
From: Martin Shepherd <[email protected]>
To: Lute List <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, 4 August 2016, 12:51
Subject: [LUTE] blog post
Hi All,
Just to let you know that I have put up a new blog post - let me know
your thoughts.
[1]http://luteshop.co.uk/some-thoughts-on-string-tension/
Best wishes,
Martin
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References
1. http://luteshop.co.uk/some-thoughts-on-string-tension/
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