Brian Prunka
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LaBella Lute
Does anyone (JDowning, possibly?) have meaningful tension information on LaBella lute strings?
I have their "early instrument" catalog, but the tensions listed seem in some cases to be erroneous and others implausible . . . the rate at which
tensions increase (given change in string length) seems inconsistent with my calculations.
I've talked with LaBella but they just pointed me to the catalog.
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Jody Stecher
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Could the unlikely numbers have something to do with single strings versus pairs of strings? If they gave the tension for a single course as if it
were for a double course or a double course tension as if it were single that might confuse things.
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Brian Prunka
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I don't think so, for example a .020in silver wound string tuned d has a tension of ±3.0Kg at 60cm . . . this is in the ballpark of what is expected
for a single string.
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Brian Prunka
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I is probably due to the precision of their calculations being to a relatively low standard, and trying to reverse-calculate the density from tension,
string length and frequency magnifies the imprecision.
I wish they just supplied density info or a calculator, like D'addario and Pyramid, or simply numbered their strings by density like Savarez.
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Jody Stecher
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Yes, Savarez is easy to understand.
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Brian Prunka
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I'm going to wing it with some LaBella lute strings and see how they work. Curious about these, if they are nice they might be a good alternative to
the pricier European manufacturers. They offer copper, silver, bronze, and aluminum options . . .
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jdowning
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I have no experience with LaBella lute strings but it is interesting to learn that they have an ' historical string' catalogue with such a wide range
of choice.
If the reference here is to wound strings then without information about the diameter and properties of the windings as well as the properties and
diameter of the core material it would surely not be possible to estimate with any degree of accuracy string tensions for a given tone? I presume that
the LaBella tension data is based upon actual test rig loadings - rather than just preliminary design calculations - so should be reliable?
For information, the late Robert Lundberg in his book 'Historical Lute Construction' published in 2002 was of the opinion that LaBella plain nylon
trebles (first three courses for lute) were superior (and less expensive) than similar nylon strings by other makers but that the LaBella wound
strings were rather inferior to Pyramid and Savarez 'equivalents'. Nylon, of course, is made in all kinds of formulations so perhaps LaBella use a
more dense type of nylon for their treble strings than other makers?
However the only way to judge, of course, is to try the strings. Also the strings on an oud should sound relatively brighter (more upper harmonics due
to use of a risha) than they might on a lute where the strings are plucked with soft fingertips.
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Brian Prunka
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For example, the catalog lists the following tensions for .034" silver-wound string tuned to E:
58.5cm, A415: 2.70Kg
58.5cm, A440: 2.70Kg
59cm A415: 2.80Kg
59cm A440: 2.80Kg
60cm A415: 2.80Kg
60cm A440: 2.80Kg
So unless we are to believe that the string maintains the same tension when tuned up/down a half step or the scale is lengthened, the catalog values
would seem to be erroneous.
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jdowning
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Hmm! I agree that there is something 'fishy' with the numbers. I have downloaded and printed a hard copy of the relevant catalog pages so that I can
take a closer look in comfort for my own information.
My first thought is that LaBella may be using relatively wider manufacturing tolerances for their wound strings than some other manufacturers - wider
tolerances equating to a lower cost per string.
Manufacturing tolerance might apply to wire diameter and density variations, core diameter and density variations as well as factors such as allowable
tension variations in winding the wire windings for example. If so, this may account for Robert Lundberg's opinion about LaBella wound strings
compared to Pyramid?
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Brian Prunka
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It's possible, but their tolerances on nylon are tighter than D'addario, for example, and D'addario is able to provide reasonably accurate tension
information, it seems (or perhaps not, I wish I had a test rig like yours to do experiments). We shall see . . . Pyramid still seems to me the best,
but their strings are very expensive and not everyone wants to go that route. Even if LaBalla is generally inferior, it might be a very good
cost/quality ratio and be a good value.
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jdowning
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I suspect that for wound strings it is the wire tolerances that may be more significant than those of the nylon as they affect properties of a
completed string? If LaBella have closer tolerances for their monofilament nylon that might account, in part at least, for their reported superiority
compared to other makes?
I do not play lute professionally so my Pyramid strings can last a (very) long time (i.e. a lot longer than 6 months). Indeed it is of some benefit
for wound lute bass strings to lose much of their initial overbearing 'bright' metallic sound when used over time. So making subjective comparisons
between lute and oud strings is probably a bit like comparing apples with oranges in this respect and they may indeed prove to be good value for
applications on ouds.
I am not planning to purchase any LaBella lute strings any time soon for trials but if you think that it might be useful I would be happy to run tests
on my rig for any particular strings that might interest you. Just mail me the strings that you would like testing.
The load tests are non destructive (except for the short lengths at the ends of a string where the strings are attached to the rig - but no more so
than on an oud where a string is wrapped around the bridge and pegs). Therefore, strings may be returned for re-use after testing.
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Brian Prunka
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Thank you for the generous offer, once I get the strings I will certainly take you up on it and send some samples.
Personally, with regard to Arabic ouds, I also prefer the strings to lose some of their initial brightness. Copper strings that have not been silver
plated can be nice since they tend to not have the initial brightness, in my experience.
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jdowning
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Sounds good Brian. I will email my contact information whenever you are ready to 'give it a shot'
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