... The "best vehicle" is unattainable...There is no "best vehicle" for low G.
Dirk, I sincerely wish you would make strings for those of us that are going to play low G on our concerts (and others who do so with their sopranos). Even though we must rely upon lesser string manufacturers, we will continue tuning our G's down an octave without your expertise. It's kind of a pity. Put your objections and disclaimers on the package and I'd buy your low G concert strings.
Hello Steven,
A pleasure to talk to you in this way. However, I couldn't disagree more about the statement that a "best vehicle" is unattainable. It's simply that the traditional Concert wasn't designed for this and while some folks have come out with instruments that are "better than typical", unless I have missed it, no one seems to have come out with an instrument that can truly give uncompromised performance for this set-up with a 15" scale.
It's not that it's impossible, and that's the real reason I'm hoping for input here. We're finally getting close to putting out instruments again and one of the options (it's presently at the bottom of the list) would be a 15" scale no compromise "Melody Concert" that would allow for a Linear C tuning.
I'm just trying to get an idea of, first: "who plays this sort of thing", and second, "why?" Instrument design is more successful the more specific it is. Ukulele designs are pretty general. If we're going to do something like this, we'd want to tailor it to a much narrower profile than a typical Concert. I'm just trying to figure out what that profile is.
As far as strings, we have some in house now that are appropriate for a 15" scale if someone had an instrument that would allow for that sort of stringing. That's why we're considering building one ourselves. If you want to try a set, and let's say you're looking for the sort of tensions typical for melody playing, then give the Light Heavy Gauges a shot.
With a disclaimer for the fact that Concerts are not generally designed for firmer tension and have bodies that won't allow a full resonance for the g note. Strings can't work miracles. Just can't bring myself to give even a qualified recommendation for a Linear C Soprano. It's certainly viable if you're going amplified, but we've backed off from that whole area and concentrate strictly on acoustic stringing now.
But are there legitimate reasons for doing this in the first place? That's what I'd like help with.