OUD.una - 4-17-2013 at 07:32 PM
Hello all, 
I'm new here and would appreciate your help on this subject.
I would like to know if it's safe (for both the oud and strings) if I tune the strings up to: [B-A-B-E-A-D] instead of [C-G-A-D-G-C] that I currently
use.
And will it affect the strings' sound quality when I tune them back down to the normal (Arabic) tuning?
The oud is Turkish with an almost 20cm fingerboard, and the strings are Pyramid (silver wound and plain nylon). I have no information on the strings'
length and tension, and there is no specific tuning mentioned on the package either. So I suppose they're standard strings.
NOTE: I've already tried to do this with the same type of strings on an Arabic oud which is larger and it turned to be ok, no damage occurred as far
as I could realize. but I still want to make sure before I try it on a new oud.
Your help and advice will be appreciated.
Thank you so much 
Jody Stecher - 4-17-2013 at 08:43 PM
The decisive measurement is the vibrating length of the string, known as "scale", which means the length from nut to bridge. Take that measurement
and let us know, and someone here will know the answer to your question and tell you if there is any danger. If it is a turkish oud it is likely (but
maybe not certain) that the scale length will not exceed 58.5 centimeters and that *might* indicate that your tuning plan is safe. There are a number
of sets called "Pyramid" and the diameters and tensions vary. What color was the string package? That would be a clue.
good luck!
OUD.una - 4-18-2013 at 01:40 AM
The scale is 58.5 centimeters as you said, and the strings package is orange.
Many thanks!!
Brian Prunka - 4-18-2013 at 07:37 AM
Do not tune that set up to Turkish tuning, unless your local luthier has starving children and you want to give him some money without hurting his
pride.
The Orange Label is the Pyramid #650 set, made for Arabic tuning.
For Turkish tuning you would use any of the following sets safely on your oud:
Pyramid #706
D'addario
Labella OU80
Musicaravan
Daniel Mari
The fingerboard (to the body joint) should be 1/3 of the scale length. This is sometimes given instead of scale length, but it's a good idea to make
sure the measurements match up.
OUD.una - 4-18-2013 at 12:28 PM
Wow, nope, no starving children I hope.. So no need to take the risk..
Thank you so much for your help and suggestions!!
OUD.una - 4-18-2013 at 12:38 PM
Are there any preferences among the sets you suggested? Which are the best in sound quality?
Brian Prunka - 4-22-2013 at 09:58 AM
I don't personally use Turkish tuning much. Everyone seems to have their own preferences. They are all pretty comparable in terms of quality, they
just vary slightly in sound and tension.
OUD.una - 4-23-2013 at 05:21 AM
thank you again.. Then I think I'll stick to Pyramid since I'm already used to them.