3 mandolins worth of strings!

[Paul Busman]

We went to see master lutenist Ronn MacFarlane last night and really loved his performance. Any string player ought to consider seeing him if he comes your way. He played an excellent mix of 80's hits (1680 that is), Baroque, and his own wonderful compositions. You can get a taste here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDtBUePhlzU

His Baroque lute has 24 strings or 3 mandolins worth. I didn't get to ask him if he was playing gut or nylon strings, and whether his tuning pegs were plain or planetary. All I could keep thinking was how much of a b*tch it must have been back in the day to keep the lute in tune with gut strings, plain pegs, and no electronic tuner (which Ronn did have). Not to mention buildings with rudimentary climate control which varied widely with the weather.

[Roger Moss]

I used to wonder what it was like to live back when Orville Gibson was building his mandolins. Then one day I read that one in seven people who lived in the 1800's died of consumption. Give me modern decadent society any day.

[Paul Busman]

I agree Roger-- the "good old days" weren't necessarily that good.

BTW-- don't ask what type of pick Ronn used. He finger picked the lute.