Quote:
Originally Posted by Ned Milburn
Charles, any idea how silk/steel strings might work intonation wise on super short scale instruments...??
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Probably not a very good choice.
Brook Taylor's string equation (
http://www.sligoharps.com/string.html) shows that string tension is proportional to the square of the vibrating string length. In short, 1/2 the string length and the string tension is reduced to 1/4.
For a given string and pitch, the tension on the string reduces as the string length reduces. As the string tension drops, the strings are more easily inadvertently stretched by over-depressing them between frets or bending them side to side. Consistent fretting pressure and direction takes-on an increasing role in the instrument playing in tune.
If, in addition to that, one uses strings that are "low-tension" to begin with, the situation is exacerbated. Also, the lower the tension of the strings, the more saddle compensation is required, exacerbated further still by short, low tension strings requiring a higher action prior to buzzing. Unless the instrument was designed and built with that in mind, chances are good that the saddle thickness and placement won't allow adequate compensation.
Renaissance lutes are often a 600 mm (short) scale length, but strings are usually individually selected to produce a targeted tension per string based on common tunings.