any 10 string owners ....?

[Gitfiddlemann]

Originally Posted by kurth

The squeaks overboarded but I got them more under control later.
https://soundcloud.com/kurth-bousman/10string-1wav

You did! The noodling picked up momentum as it went along. Thanks for sharing the soundclip.
It sounded initially like there were some intonation issues with the very low strings. The guitar sounded more in tune when played in the upper strings.
That could be just due to the tuning you used. As nikpearson mentioned, it's very difficult with nylon strings to get consistent tone when you go below the low C, which is the lowest in the Yepes tuning.
I couldn't tell which tuning you were using, but the strings sounded a little more challenged in that low register.

[Gitfiddlemann]

Originally Posted by nikpearson

The Yepes tuning certainly lay works for adding sympathetic resonances on all 12 notes of the chromatic scale. With standard 6-string instruments you can hear these resonances on E,A,B & D and sometimes very faintly on G. The Yepes tuning enhances both the range of resonances and the quantity; it’s quite intoxicating.

Having recently completed a 10-string instrument modelled along the lines of the Ramirez/Yepes collaboration I can absolutely see why Yepes then went on to play 10-string instruments (almost) exclusively. The 6-string guitar sounds almost empty in comparison with the 10-string with its wash of resonances giving a reverb effect. There are significant downsides though. As players we are so used to having the lowest string on the 6th that many people find locating the correct string a challenge. I like the suggestion of using different coloured strings - it’s something that my tutor mentioned when testing the completed instrument.

Compared with my usual classical the 10-string sounds bigger and more responsive, despite having slightly heavier fan bracing and a treble bar in the Ramirez style.

I’ve had a few issues with the French polish finish so haven’t been able to play the guitar for the last few weeks. Once fully repolished and given time to harden I’ll be going back to working on a piece or two. Bach’s prelude 998 sounded lovely on the guitar - at least the little bit I could play.

The ‘baroque’ tuning mentioned in another post uses thicker strings to provide lower notes than the C2 of the Yepes. The recordings I’ve heard with these tunings sound rather muddy/flabby in the lower notes which I think is down to the standard scale length. The low C is about at the limit of where the string still sounds full and focused. To really make the lower notes sing an extended scale length is needed - see Georg Bolin’s alto guitar.

I'm sure it did. I bet some of the cello suites would sound great as well. I've heard at least one arrangement of the 3rd suite done in cello tuning (C, G, D, A on the bottom 4) on a standard 6 string which came through really well. I bet it would have been even better arranged accordingly on a 10 string.

[kurth]

Originally Posted by Gitfiddlemann

You did! The noodling picked up momentum as it went along. Thanks for sharing the soundclip.
It sounded initially like there were some intonation issues with the very low strings. The guitar sounded more in tune when played in the upper strings.
That could be just due to the tuning you used. As nikpearson mentioned, it's very difficult with nylon strings to get consistent tone when you go below the low C, which is the lowest in the Yepes tuning.
I couldn't tell which tuning you were using, but the strings sounded a little more challenged in that low register.

the four bass string that came with it are strange....like all the same diameter. the new set sent along with it are different gauges. It's a challenge for sure. The squeak is all in the strings. And I think the tuning was too low for those strings, esp the lowest two. I tuned it down for couple of weeks to check out the structural integrity. Like I said before.. it doesn't have a truss rod....and the action is already high. It's going to be a fun challenge to get some music out of her. But she does play, and for the price, I'm content. But still got my eyes on an 8 string....if they exist. thanks

[kurth]

Originally Posted by nikpearson

The Yepes tuning certainly lay works for adding sympathetic resonances on all 12 notes of the chromatic scale. With standard 6-string instruments you can hear these resonances on E,A,B & D and sometimes very faintly on G. The Yepes tuning enhances both the range of resonances and the quantity; it’s quite intoxicating.

Having recently completed a 10-string instrument modelled along the lines of the Ramirez/Yepes collaboration I can absolutely see why Yepes then went on to play 10-string instruments (almost) exclusively. The 6-string guitar sounds almost empty in comparison with the 10-string with its wash of resonances giving a reverb effect. There are significant downsides though. As players we are so used to having the lowest string on the 6th that many people find locating the correct string a challenge. I like the suggestion of using different coloured strings - it’s something that my tutor mentioned when testing the completed instrument.

Compared with my usual classical the 10-string sounds bigger and more responsive, despite having slightly heavier fan bracing and a treble bar in the Ramirez style.

I’ve had a few issues with the French polish finish so haven’t been able to play the guitar for the last few weeks. Once fully repolished and given time to harden I’ll be going back to working on a piece or two. Bach’s prelude 998 sounded lovely on the guitar - at least the little bit I could play.

The ‘baroque’ tuning mentioned in another post uses thicker strings to provide lower notes than the C2 of the Yepes. The recordings I’ve heard with these tunings sound rather muddy/flabby in the lower notes which I think is down to the standard scale length. The low C is about at the limit of where the string still sounds full and focused. To really make the lower notes sing an extended scale length is needed - see Georg Bolin’s alto guitar.

I'll try it. In another week , I'll tune her up. It was tuned down to check out if the guitar was gonna explode since there's no truss. And to let her setup in her new environment. thanks
...and just had my son help me relocate the piano back to the studio (3 floors) to use it to tune it. Electronic tuners don't work so well. Maybe there are tuners that work the whole 8 octaves, but I don't own one...