It depends. Be mindful. Standard monofilament fishing line is nylon and a
similar density to nylon instrument strings, a little less dense than gut, and
should be functionally a little thicker as a gut substitute (use a good string
calculator).
However, fluorocarbon fishing line is also popular, commonly available, denser
than gut, and should be thinner when substituting as musical instrument
strings. Fluorocarbon at the same diameter as gut could cause damage (once
again, use that string calculator).
That said, to my fingers and ears, I like the feel and sound of fluorocarbon
fishing line better than nylon. I like gut or Nylgut even better.
Best,
Eugene
Angler, Fisheries Biologist, and (rarely, only in a pinch) a plucker of fishing
line
-----Original Message-----
From: lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu <lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu> On Behalf Of George
Arndt
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2019 5:56 PM
To: pathfin...@qwestoffice.net; Lynda Kraar <guitargirl4scrab...@yahoo.com>
Cc: Wim Loos <wjglso...@gmail.com>; LuteNet list <lute@cs.dartmouth.edu>;
George Arndt <george.ar...@hotmail.com>
Subject: [LUTE] Fishing line lute strings
Hello lute friends:
I have been using fishing line on my lutes these past 4 years and find
it acceptable for playing in public.
Look for mono-filament fishing line having the same diameter as lute
strings. Spools for smaller diameter line have 500 meters or more and
this will last you a lifetime. I am using a few spools that are 40
years old right out of my tackle box. Mono-filament stretches for a
week or so at room temperature and will then hold normal pitch.
If lute pegs slip and won't maintain pitch, and chalk or peg dope do
not work to maintain proper peg friction, then replace the individual
string with smaller diameter fishing line. If the sound volume of a
new fishing line / string is insufficient in relation to adjacent
stings, then replace that string with a slightly larger diameter.
The only modification I have made over the years has been to file a
slightly larger grove in the original nut to accommodate a larger
string diameter. I learned to make new nuts for my long lutes to space
pairs of unstopped strings apart an additional mm or two, so larger
diameter strings do not interfere with each other. If your baroque or
arch lute has been professionally set-up you will notice this feature.
Colored fishing line works great and provides visual reference for
lutes with many strings.
You can purchase salt-water mono-filament fishing line "leaders" from
the internet to use for unstopped bass strings. The fishing lines I
use range from 250 pound test for bass down to 15 pound test for lute
chantrells. Fishing line size 90 pound test and less is available at
most stores catering to freshwater sport fishing.
I tried plastic lawn trimmer line and found it to us unsatisfactory for
lute strings. This is because the material density is less than fishing
line and these strings produce insufficient sound. Weed trimmer line
comes in many profiles to improve cutting and non-round profiles are
not comfortable on the fingers. Braided fishing line is abrasive to
the skin and unsuitable to use as lute strings. Avoid lead-core fishing
line. Greater density enables it to sink to depth behind a moving boat
more rapidly. If lead dust moved from the core to the surface of a
string when it vibrates; lead on your fingertips may end up in your
mouth and is a health hazard. So, avoid using lead core fishing line
for strings.
Mono-filament fishing line in a variety of plastic materials is
recommended as a cost-effective substitute for lute strings and tied
frets.
Thanks,
George Arndt
__________________________________________________________________
From: lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu <lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu> on behalf
of Lynda Kraar <guitargirl4scrab...@cs.dartmouth.edu>
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2019 6:06 AM
To: pathfin...@qwestoffice.net
Cc: Wim Loos; LuteNet list
Subject: [LUTE] Re: Chanterelle
I spent about 24 bucks on Seaguar Fluoro Premier from a fishing
supply
website. For the G. Sounds great even if it feels a little bit
skinny
under the fretting hand. I have Roman Turovsky to thank for the
advice.
Lynda
[kraar+logo.png]
Lynda Kraar, President
Lynda Kraar & Associates
U.S. Cell: 551-486-3772
Google Voice: [1]985-205-9632 (985-20-LYNDA)
Skype: lyndakraar
On Jan 13, 2019, at 4:56 PM, <[2]pathfin...@qwestoffice.net>
<[3]pathfin...@qwestoffice.net> wrote:
I'm sure everyone will be horrified, but I use Ominflex 25lb test
nylon
fishing line (from WalMart: about 2 or 3 dollars for a lifetime
supply
: )
for the G (1st) string on my 8-string guitar...it works great. I
use
the
20lb test for the chanterelle of my 8c Renaissance lute (600mm). It
works
great as well. I have found plenty of inexpensive replacements for
other
strings too, among fishing lines and guitar strings if you do a
little
calculating and choose conservatively.
-----Original Message-----
From: [4]lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu
[[5]mailto:lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu] On Behalf
Of Wim Loos
Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2019 2:09 PM
To: LuteNet list <[6]lute@cs.dartmouth.edu>
Subject: [LUTE] Chanterelle
Dear all,
I �m looking to string my 7c renaissance lute, string length
60cm
(a=415) again. In this moment I use nylgut and pyramid wound
strings.
Only the chanterelle is nylon while the nylgut string was broken.
I considder to use carbon for the chanterelle, does anybody know
if
is
this a good alternative.
I hope jou can give me a advise what to do.
Thanks in advance,
Wim Loos
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