>From Greg: Ron, How does one tune a coupled pair of strings? As I understand the principal they are coupled to sound as one string. How then, are they separated to be tuned? >>>>>>>>>>> It's hard to describe, easier to demonstrate... The effect is that the strings sound together (within a slight distuning)- even if they wouldn't measure the same. It is still possible to hear tuned vs. untuned. So as you move one string away from the other, the beating becomes more apparent, as well as quicker. As you move the strings closer to tune, while the beating slows down, (like normal) the loudness of the beating is reduced. (not like normal) I would guess that if the couplers were closer to the middle of the string, or more than one coupler was used, two strings could be made to move as one. However, there would be a great change to the tone of those strings. As it is, the tone of the coupled strings is different than the tone of two freely vibrating strings. The effect is hard to hear in practice because there is a third, freely vibrating string added to the aural mix. So the "nuts and bolts" goes something like this: Tune the rightmost, coupled string a little high. Tune the second coupled string to the first, checking the coupled pitch - using whatever tuning preference you have. (The coupled pitch is lower than just one string alone.) I end up using a "split the unison" technique to get these two strings exactly in the right place. That is, working with two open strings sounding, and slightly moving one, then the other to nudge the unison into place. Once the right two strings are tuned, bring the left one in tune - no problem. Ron Koval
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