There is another topic which opened recently about specialty nibs. However I've taken the liberty of opening a topic about one specific aspect, that being the "music nib."

I will openly confess ignorance on this matter. Then again, that's why I'm writing. Your help would be most appreciated.

MUSIC NIB Questions ..........

I've seen references to the "music nib," and the other series brought to the forefront some questions I've been wanting to ask.

1) Define a "music nib." I understand it has three tines/prongs (what are those things properly called, anyway?)

2) What are the presumed benefits of a "music nib?"

3) Does anyone have a photograph handy of a "music nib" and if so, would you please post it in your response?

4) Do you own a pen with a "music nib?" Compare its writing characteristics with another nib in your collection. What do you like/dislike about the "music nib." Would you buy another one?

I've been following the FPN a short time and am most impressed with the willingness of participants to share their knowlege. I'm looking forward to learning about this nib.

David

Here's a few web sites with Music Nib information that should give you a good start. Note that at least one claims to have a music nib with only one slit - two tines.

Quote from the Glossary at Pens and Watches...

music nib

A true music nib has 3 tines and 2 vent holes and is used for writing music notes.

http://www.nakaya.org/estub.html
http://www.nibs.com/SailorNibPage.htm
http://www.pensandwatches.com/nibs.html
http://www.pensandwatches.com/glossary.htm
http://www.kamakurapens.com/Testimonial.html
http://www.pentrace.com/east/nakaya_visit_2/

Most, if not all of your questions are answered in the references, but for convenience - we have:

1 - a broad nib useful in writing music (and any other application similar to a stub - broad vertical - narrow horizontal strokes)

2 - See 1 and references.

3 - See references

4 - No, unfortunately.


Gerry

1) Define a "music nib." I understand it has three tines/prongs (what are those things properly called, anyway?)

A music nib is simply without getting into technicalities: a nib designed for music notation, which means that it is capable of really thick strokes and thin strokes, by means of not flexing.

2) What are the presumed benefits of a "music nib?"
The greatest benifit comes to the composer who uses them, I have used music nibs to write my score and they are very very useful the most handy tool I have ever gotten. But for non-musicians these nibs still create a unique wonderful looking handwritting that everyone loves.

3: sorry no picture with me: But the can have the weird 3 tines 2 hole, but also like Sailor and Richard Binder simply cut the irridium in a manner in which achieves the same affects as well as creating enough ink flow.

) Do you own a pen with a "music nib?" Compare its writing characteristics with another nib in your collection. What do you like/dislike about the "music nib." Would you buy another one?

I do own a Sailor 1911M Music Nib Pen. This pen is the one nib that has had people stop and take a picture of my handwriting of, no not the flexies but of the music nib handwritting. It creates such a unique looking handwriting that everyone loves. It is not boring font like my other nibs, except my flex nibs which are quite fun. I do not dislike anything about the nib it is simply amazing and everyone should have one in their collection, it feels like butter when writting just ultra smooth. I would definitly buy another one!

Definitly this nib is needed in everyones collection!

At least they got what it's used for right.

It is true that many music nibs have three tines, but that is not what distinguishes a "true" music nib. A music nib is a specialized stub; it's very soft (rounded and smooth, not springy) through a very broad range of elevation off the page. (My music nibs can actually sweep from about 30° elevation through 90° and over to about 120°.) it's also softer to the sides than a standard stub. This range of handling ease allows for scribbling rapidly, and it's supported by an extra-wet flow (hence the erroneous assumption that two slits are needed). Here are images showing the difference between a standard stub (idealized, left) and a music nib (also idealized, right):



To write music with a music nib, you hold the pen differently. Here's a photo showing how the pen addresses the paper.



The idea is that you want to make thin vertical strokes for note stems, measure bars, and so on, and thick ones for note bodies and flags.

Hi,

I have been doing this to some of my pens since the beginning of time but never announced it. (I will continue practicing--so don't ask me yet!)

Nice.

Dillon

THANKS! to you who helped answer my questions about "music nibs." References quoted along with your personal comments & illustrations now give me a far greater understanding of the creature. Interesting how the two-tine or three-tine debate is active. Also, I see that "tine" is the correct nomenclature for the pointy things at the end of the nib.

QUESTION STILL TO BE ANSWERED!

My question #4 got a couple of excellent answers but I'd be interested in hearing more; also examples of specific nibs you particularly like. No, I'm not in the market for one now but may start saving my money. Your answers are starting to get me salivating.

Here's question #4 again:

4) Do you own a pen with a "music nib?" Compare its writing characteristics with another nib in your collection. What do you like/dislike about the "music nib." Would you buy another one?

David

Sailor Music Nib pens are simply incredible

(Also Richard Binder can make one I think, which all of his nibs are just simply amazing)

And here: quite another music nib :-)



Have fun!
Claes in Lund, Sweden

http://www.algonet.se/~claesg

Yes I have some of those except by Brause, which seem to be of lower quality than the William Mitchell's. A great tool for me nevertheless. I just with they still made these! Or even better if a company or Richard Binder could devise a way to make one of these for a fountian pen and outfit it on a pelikan that would be a dream come true!

That sound like a project for Nathan !

Yes, imagine this in fp form that would be incredible and the greatest tool for a composer since the invention of a pen and paper and computer notation software!!!!!!!!!