I have an arabic oud and would like to use turkish tuning
(i use C,G,A,D,G,C)
would this affect the pegbox pressure?
is there any risks
regards
Arabic to Turkish
spyrosc - 5-28-2005 at 12:12 AM
If you switch to Turkish tuning the highest string will go from C to D, the next lower from G to A, etc.
As you can see the tension will have to increase to increase the pitch (frequency) since the string length is the same, and I'm assuming you want to
use the same strings (therefore same linear mass).
So the neck, bridge, etc, will have to be able to take a bit more tension. The effect will depend on how well built the oud is.
Of course you can always try to use different strings to keep the tension down.
Another issue is that in my experience many Arabic ouds sound better if they are tuned lower rather than higher, especially Syrian ones. So even if
your oud can take it, it may not sound its best.
Tuning Turkish ouds to Arabic (the opposite) is easier on the oud, as the Turkish was built to withstand the higher tension, and now you are lowering
it.
Search the forums for "tuning", "strings" etc for more discussions on the subject.
Good luck
Spyros C.mavrothis - 5-28-2005 at 12:16 AM
Hi,
I definitely don't recommend you tune your Arabic oud to Turkish tuning, unless you do what Spyros said and get much lighter strings so the tension
stays the same.Gabriel - 5-28-2005 at 12:20 AM
I think its safe to leave it!!
has anyone checked Ebay,there is a oud that looks similar to a Nahat? can anyone check it to make sure it is/isnt?
thanks for the advise spyros and mavrothisJonathan - 5-28-2005 at 12:24 AM
Are you talking about this one?:
Item #: 7325182951
It sold right after it was listed for the Buy it Now price. Supposed to be by Abdo Nahat.
Or is there another?Gabriel - 5-28-2005 at 12:32 AM
WHAT!!!!!
i never saw that one!!!
when was it?
it was not the one I was talking aboat but i am upset now
that is one of the most buitiful ouds
thank you for adding that link Jonathan
VINTAGE OUD AOUD UD AUD LUTE ORNATE INLAY is the one i was talking aboat
Nahat or not
spyrosc - 5-28-2005 at 12:14 PM
My God ! Somebody got a real 1930 Nahat for less than $ 600 on eBay.
Item #: 7325182951
The one you are talking about (Oud Aoud etc) is definitely Syrian and definitely NOT a Nahat. I think I know who the maker is.
Spyros C.Jonathan - 5-28-2005 at 07:37 PM
Spyros--the Nahat was real though, right? I am hoping so, because I am the one that bought it.Dr. Oud - 5-29-2005 at 08:38 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by spyrosc... as the Turkish was built to withstand the higher tension...
Well, actually the Turkish oud plays at a higher pitch because the string length is shorter, not due to higher string tension. This is evident if
you measure the gauge of Turkish vs Arabic strings from most string manufacturers. You will find almost no difference in the gauges.
The risk of tuning your Arabic oud at higher tension is damage to the face, not so much the pegbox or neck. The bridge can rip off the face from
the increased tension and sometimes take some of the face with it, and a hole where the bridge should be cannot be repaired. On a cheap oud the glue
joint may just fail, but if you reglue it and tune it up again it may rip the face up the next time.
My suggestion is to get a Turkish (smaller) oud to play Turkish tunings, and tune it down to play Arabic. Of course the oud will take a few days to
adjust to each change in string tension, but you won't be risking damage. The best solution is two ouds.spyros mesogeia - 5-30-2005 at 05:13 AM
I definatelly agree with Mavroudis,and with doctor oud,it is too dangerous to tunne tone higher an arabic type oud.....I wouldn't do that to one of my
instruments.the damage is 100% sure,it's only a matter of time.....
Regards to all
Spyros Koliavasilis
