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Live roleplaying's greatest cheerleader...
 
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Hi all, I need a bit of help and advice. As a complete novice at musical instrument stuff and having no musical talent at all, I’ve decided in my wisdom to make a string instrument for character. It's going to be something like a primitive Sitar so that I can make some discordant melodies. I have the capabilities to make the instrument body but I was just wondering about the strings. Now what would be the best type of strings for an instrument like this, I’d like it to have a long neck (if that is the right term) and I am struggling to find a cheap/free source for strings. So does anyone play and/or have experience of string instruments that can offer some advice?
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RL: Mr Sofar
Curved core weaponry and bespoke stuff.
ShelfordFX
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Champion
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Guitar strings are readily available, and a reasonable length.
Or you could try mandolin strings, lighter and shorter.
Just work out what length and pitch you want, and choose something that suits.
"Neck" is the right term.
Make sure you think about how to attach them and tune them.
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Live roleplaying's greatest cheerleader...
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Aye, it looks like it might be guitar strings that I need. Decidedly simple really. Now to find out just how long guitar strings are because I want this plinky thing to have a long neck so it doesn't just look like a banjo.
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RL: Mr Sofar
Curved core weaponry and bespoke stuff.
ShelfordFX
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Cold Water and Brass Tacks
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| and since its going to be unplayable then I imagine you can blag some old guitar strings off a guitarist for nowt since we tend to replace the entire set when one breaks. Does it matter what size they are? Guitar strings are about a meter and a half long if that helps... Oh and bear in mind if your hand building the thing and you attempt to tighten guitar strings to get a note you could easily snap the whole instrunment in half.
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Live roleplaying's greatest cheerleader...
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Thanks for the advice Flannel I was kind of hoping some kind soul may have some old strings laying about that they maybe willing to donate, size or whatever doesn't matter too much. I was intending to make the instrument playable, even though is might sound damn awful so the advice on making it sturdy is quite useful.
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RL: Mr Sofar
Curved core weaponry and bespoke stuff.
ShelfordFX
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Champion
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| I thought the plan was to try to play the thing, though it sounds like a way to become unpopular fast.
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Champion
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If you can, get nylon strings rather than steel ones... they're easier on the fingers and don't have as much tension, thus lessening the need for a truss rod (basically a length of steel that reinforces the neck)
Ascendancy LRP: Redvers Fenn-Cooper Crimson Requiem: Crew Real Life: Doug McKerracher Quis custodiet ipsos custard?
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Cold Water and Brass Tacks
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| *nods* What dreadful said. I can bring you some old strings to the Gathering if you aint sorted by then. Just PM me if you need em.
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Live roleplaying's greatest cheerleader...
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Last Login: Thursday, December 18, 2008 2:16 PM
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Thanks for the offer Flannel, but I wont be at the Gathering. I have some musical friends who I may try to track down and see if they have any knocking about.
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RL: Mr Sofar
Curved core weaponry and bespoke stuff.
ShelfordFX
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