On Sun, 3 Jan 2016 14:08:28 -0500, Hendrik Broekman <[log in to unmask]> wrote:


>I have seen both failure modes and both descriptions of the effects on the sound are spot on. <

Agreed.

> The longitudinal split seems to be caused by bending or buckling perpendicular to the long axis (pre-crushed feather, flat feather in curved mortise or curved feather in flat mortise makes little difference to the outcome). <

One could add "tried to hack away on it with a blunt knife" to the list. At least that's what happens to me, when I'm impatient and too lazy to re-sharpen.

> The transverse split is surely caused by the repeated cycles of the top face being put under tension by plucking the string.

True too, however, in my observation, which kind of split it will be depends largely on where from the feather the plectrum comes. Usually, the bits from the tube (call it the "bird-end") tend to weaken and bend or crack across. Bits from the feather-end top-ridge often have a tendency to split lengthwise instead.

> Incipient splits that can’t yet be easily heard or felt can be caught by eye. Look for a mildly v-shaped discoloration of the top surface of the plectrum just forward of the tongue. 

This is so very true, and another advantage of quill. It's not only that we can play through a recital to the end (most of the time) with a weakening quill plectrum, we can actually _look_ through the instrument on the day before and make sure everything looks good.

Tilman

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