Mike's Oud Forums

Turunz Oud string tension

Merlomann - 9-28-2013 at 01:55 AM

Hi everybody!

I have a Faruk Turunz Oud (Arabic tuning) since 2 years now. I'm trying different type of strings.

I would like to try Kuerschner strings (http://www.kuerschner-saiten.de/pdfs/KuerschnerPreislKanun.pdf) but i don't know if i can use hard tension strings in the case of :
- in Arabic tuning (C FF AA dd gg cc) (ref 401105?),
- in Turkish tuning (C# F#F# BB ee aa dd) (ref 406105?).

Can somebody help me?

Thank you

Merlomann

Brian Prunka - 9-28-2013 at 06:06 AM

What is the string length of the oud, from the nut to the bridge?

Merlomann - 9-28-2013 at 09:21 AM

58,5cm

Microber - 9-28-2013 at 11:10 AM

In the Kürschner document, there is no mention of the string length.
Or do I miss something ?

Merlomann - 9-29-2013 at 02:00 AM

That's my problem.

Have somebody already tried them?

Brian Prunka - 9-29-2013 at 05:43 AM

I wouldn't recommend hard tension regardless, because part of the sound of the oud is the relatively low tension traditionally used.

Kurschner doesn't list the length or even tensions of the different sets. As we've seen with Aquila, a "light" set is not necessarily light tension in the general sense. I would guess that the Arabic sets are calculated with a scale around 61cm and the Turkish sets around 58.5 cm, but who knows.

Since your oud is the short scale typical of Turkish ouds, I would start with medium tension sets and see how that works. It's possible that the "hard tension" Arabic set would work on your oud since it is shorter, but since we don't know much about what the designations mean, I would start with medium to be safe.

Turkish tuning is more predictable, but I would still suggest medium or light tension.

farukturunz - 9-30-2013 at 02:02 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Merlomann  
Hi everybody!

I have a Faruk Turunz Oud (Arabic tuning) since 2 years now. I'm trying different type of strings.

I would like to try Kuerschner strings (http://www.kuerschner-saiten.de/pdfs/KuerschnerPreislKanun.pdf) but i don't know if i can use hard tension strings in the case of :
- in Arabic tuning (C FF AA dd gg cc) (ref 401105?),
- in Turkish tuning (C# F#F# BB ee aa dd) (ref 406105?).

Can somebody help me?

Thank you

Merlomann


Hello Merlomann and the other friends who involved in this thread,

First of all I would like to thank you Merloman for your fastidiousness in deciding on the string tension. Notwithstanding the type of the oud I construct, they are all durable to any string set in terms of specific tension they have been produced for.

The only point that matters is the tonality you assume to get from your oud. Again, notwithstanding the type of the oud (Arabian or Turkish) they are all responsive delicatelly to all type of strings in terms of the targeted tension.

By the way, I would like to clarify that my aim in constructing my ouds for particularly different type of tuning is to make them sound at the ideal tonality of the targeted tuning type, whereas, mostly the makers do not deal with the variety in tuning when they construct their ouds here in Turkey.

Of course, tension of the strings affects the tonality of the oud but it is a matter of personal taste and preferance.

So I would advise you try different tension sets of Kurschner Strings until you are satisfied with the tonality. I guarantee my oud will endure the highest tension.

With my best regards.

Merlomann - 9-30-2013 at 02:49 AM

I have my response now.

I was very afraid to damage the Oud.

Thank you all for your help.

Merlomann