[CAUT] string level

[David Ilvedson]

Like you said, your going to have to experiment with different magnet strengths...I bet it doesn't take much of a magnet to move that wire...good luck.

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Fred Sturm" <fssturm at unm.edu>
To: caut at ptg.org
Received: 4/29/2009 4:57:10 PM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] string level


>On Apr 29, 2009, at 6:06 AM, Wolfley, Eric (wolfleel) wrote:

>> I've taken to simply removing the dampers from that section while  
>> doing this work. It only takes about 3 minutes to take them out and  
>> then you have complete access right on the strike-point for string- 
>> leveling plus the added bonus of being able to do a great job of  
>> spacing and mating the hammers to the strings, setting let-off, etc.  
>> It usually takes no more than 10-15 minutes to put the dampers back.  
>> In that critical section of the instrument doing this seems like a  
>> very good investment of time given the benefits of being able to see  
>> what you are doing.

>	I agree this is the way to go with those instruments that have the  
>whole section with very close spacing between damper and capo, so it  
>is next to impossible to see letoff. But there are a lot of  
>instruments where it is just the last few dampers that are a bit too  
>close to fit the level, and it's too much trouble to pull those  
>dampers just for that purpose. (And, yes, there are plenty of work  
>arounds, like using hammer mating to set string level). I have just  
>thought many times that I sure ought to grind another mm off the width  
>of the level, or make a new thinner one.
>	So I have concentrated on making a thinner one. An instrument I would  
>have liked to quickly check string levels on spurred me on to actually  
>do something, so I fooled around a bit last weekend.
>	About adding a magnet to the Mother Goose level (as suggested by  
>Chris S), I don't see the point. Joe's level is a good design, the  
>right mass, the right contact surface, a good balance and center of  
>gravity, all work together to produce a good reading of plucked  
>strings. Where a magnet makes sense is in a devise with less mass, and/ 
>or one that is top heavy. There are a lot of potential designs for  
>using a magnet to make a string level, either with a leveling bubble,  
>or just as a flat surface to create a straight line. Me, I have a  
>particular use in mind, so I will be pursuing the top heavy and  
>slender design.
>Regards,
>Fred Sturm
>University of New Mexico
>fssturm at unm.edu