Mike's Oud Forums

Strings for Arabic tuning on Turkish instrument (57 cm scale)

divira - 2-12-2016 at 06:09 PM

Hello oud lovers!
I am new here and I need your advice. I have been learning to play the (Arabic) oud for three years. In Turkey I bought an instrument with a scale length of 57 cm and a normal (Turkish) body, which is more suitable for me than the big Arabic instruments with longer scales. I have changed the strings (properly) and I used strings for Arabic tuning (C-F-A-d-g-c) with normal tension, but the strings seem too loose and make a “zzz” sound while playing – I don’t know the word in English :)
Since I am used to the Arabic tuning (C-c), should I use (Arabic) strings with HIGH tension? If so, which strings (brand) would you recommend? I am grateful for any advice!

Brian Prunka - 2-12-2016 at 06:43 PM

It's a little tough to make this work. 57cm is pretty short. You can get the strings to have better tension but the instrument may never resonate properly at that tuning.

It would help with the diagnosis if you mention which strings you've already tried.

You will likely need a custom set in order to make it work; I doubt any standard set would work very well even with a 'high tension' set.

Feel free to email at info@oudstrings.com

divira - 2-14-2016 at 11:22 AM

Hi Brian!
Thank you very much for your reply! I used La Bella strings for arabic tuning and yesterday I tried standard turkish strings, which seem to have more tension, although they still make the "zzz" sound (especially the metal strings). When I bought the instrument (which was built in 2009) it was tuned to Turkish tuning and it sounded perfectly (no "zzz" sound) although the scale is shorter.
Before ordering a custom set of strings (which is more expensive), shouldn't I try a standard set with high tension? Or do you think this wouldn't work?
Thank you very much!!!

Brian Prunka - 2-14-2016 at 01:15 PM

Custom strings are not really much more expensive. I sell custom sets of LaBella for $22, which is not much more than the standard set.

The LaBella Arabic strings are for F A d g c' f' tuning. So if you are just using the strings from the set then you are tuning it much lower than it was intended.

If so, one thing you could try is getting rid of the lightest string course in the LaBella set. The second course is intended for c' and is on the heavy side. It may work for you to simply move all the strings over one slot and add a low C course. .044 would likely work reasonably well.


divira - 2-14-2016 at 02:03 PM

Yes, I used this set of strings, but I didn't use the highest f string and I added an extra low C string from another set of strings. That means that I tuned it correctly. I am considering ordering custom strings since there is no other solution. Thank you very much for your advice!

Matthias - 2-14-2016 at 04:04 PM

Quote: Originally posted by divira  
Hello oud lovers!
I am new here and I need your advice. I have been learning to play the (Arabic) oud for three years. In Turkey I bought an instrument with a scale length of 57 cm and a normal (Turkish) body, which is more suitable for me than the big Arabic instruments with longer scales. I have changed the strings (properly) and I used strings for Arabic tuning (C-F-A-d-g-c) with normal tension, but the strings seem too loose and make a “zzz” sound while playing – I don’t know the word in English :)
Since I am used to the Arabic tuning (C-c), should I use (Arabic) strings with HIGH tension? If so, which strings (brand) would you recommend? I am grateful for any advice!

Hello,

Any standart set on a 57 scale will have too low tension. I can propose to you this set:
http://music-strings.de/index.php?a=14848&lang=eng

I have the strings on stock and cen send them immediately.

Best regards

Matthias

divira - 2-15-2016 at 03:41 AM

Thank you very much!

Brian Prunka - 2-15-2016 at 06:36 AM

Quote: Originally posted by divira  
Yes, I used this set of strings, but I didn't use the highest f string and I added an extra low C string from another set of strings. That means that I tuned it correctly. I am considering ordering custom strings since there is no other solution. Thank you very much for your advice!


Okay, that is a good reference point.
I wasn't sure if that's what you had done.