Mike's Oud Forums

Pyramid String Tension Tables

jdowning - 9-7-2006 at 01:04 PM

I have been a user of Pyramid lute strings since the 1970's and have always been satisfied with the quality of the strings and the service provided by the company. When I first began using them, Pyramid supplied me with a set of tension tables for their historical lute nylon monofilament strings and nylon filament metal overspun strings. These tables have never been revised by Pyramid as they are still relevant to the strings manufactured today. I have found them to be very useful for string selection and, although Pyramid do sell a handy slide rule type string calculator, I still find the tables particularly convenient in giving good general 'at a glance' appreciation of the string tension range of each type of string. As others who like to use Pyramid strings, or may want to try them, may also find these tables helpful for string selection, I have scanned my tables on file and post them here. I have had to image enhance some of the tables as they have become very faded over the years and have kept the image resolution down to the minimum consistent with being able to read the data. However, if there is a problem with reading the files I can, on request, post higher resolution images - or just provide specific details for those entries that are not very clear. The posted folder is just over 2 MB in size but I can also post a higher resolution set at about 8 MB on request.
I have checked with Pyramid in Germany and they confirm that it is OK for me to pass this information on for others to use free of charge.
Although these strings are designed for use on lutes, oud players may also be able to use them.
The Pyramid web site is http://www.pyramid-strings.de and they can be e-mailed at pyramid@junger.de for answers to questions.

Pyramid String Tension Charts

As a follow up question from a lute player interested in ouds and history - not too provocative I hope!! Nylon instrument strings came into use in the 1950's but the older gut and silk overspun strings were still being used in the early 1960's (a spare set of strings that I purchased from a music store in Cairo, Egypt, in 1965 were gut trebles and metal overspun silk filament for the basses - made in France). These are the strings that would have been in use on ouds in the late 19th early 20th C and the sound quality that they produce is quite different to that of nylon strings - as well as the maximum string tensions being lower for gut and silk. Therefore, when stringing an oud made in the late 19th early 20th C - perhaps made by a master luthier - in modern nylon, the sound that is heard is not the sound that the luthier originally built the instrument for. Is this not a concern or complication for makers trying to copy the ouds of the revered past masters?
Best wishes to all.
John

Masel - 2-25-2015 at 03:00 AM

just found this - gold! thank you, this is much more useful than the ruler on their website which doesn't tell you about tension.

jdowning - 2-25-2015 at 12:42 PM

The tables are useful but I now use the calculator/slide rule - sold by Pyramid for around 15 Euros (plus shipping and handling) or available from Pyramid string suppliers (forum members Brian Prunka or Matthias Wagner?). The two sided calculator provides more information, 'at a glance' than the tables and is very easy and convenient to use. It covers the full range of Pyramid lute strings nylon, PVF, plain gut and metal wound strings.

Matthias - 2-25-2015 at 04:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by jdowning  
.. or available from Pyramid string suppliers (forum members Brian Prunka or Matthias Wagner?). The two sided calculator provides more information, 'at a glance' than the tables and is very easy and convenient to use. It covers the full range of Pyramid lute strings nylon, PVF, plain gut and metal wound strings.


Yes it's available in my shop
http://music-strings.de/navi.php?a=6298&lang=eng&

and also the kürschner calculator working with the gut equivalent
http://music-strings.de/index.php?a=563&lang=eng

Best regards

Matthias

Masel - 2-25-2015 at 11:34 PM

Thank you, but do you have an answer to the original question - what is the ideal string tension? or at least what is an acceptable range? What is the maximum you shouldn't pass? 4kg? more?

Matthias - 2-26-2015 at 12:22 AM

Hello,

an ideal tension does not exist. A tension depends from various factors like the instrument itself ( vintage oud [low] ..... floating bridge [high] ), the players preferences, the action, the expected sound and I'm sure others have something to add.

YOUR ideal string set will be a journey. That is the reason that you will find many different sets for various tunings and especially with differnt tensions.
http://music-strings.de/index.php?k=131&lang=eng

My preferred tension range is from 33 - 37 Newton with an equal like tension over all strings. And here starts the discussion due to different opinions.

Best regards
Matthias

Masel - 2-26-2015 at 02:07 AM

Thank you

jdowning - 2-26-2015 at 05:31 AM

To add to Matthias's comments.
The ultimate limitation of string tension is, of course, the instrument itself - the point at which a fixed bridge will separate (often explosively) from the sound board, or less dramatically the action will increase due to the neck bending, or the braces will give way causing the sound board to sink. Each instrument will have a different structural limitation and hence a different safe upper limit to tension - which is why it is not possible to provide an answer to your question.

String tension is usually not equal across all courses but gradually reduces from the thinner trebles to thicker/heavier/stiffer basses - it just feels equal. A relatively lower tension in the bass strings can assist in their acoustic performance.
If you look at the second image of the Pyramid calculator previously posted - in the bottom right hand corner you will see a worked out example showing this tension reduction as it applies to a lute. String tensions tend to be lower on a lute than on an oud I imagine as the strings are plucked with soft fingertips rather than a harder risha that can apply more force to a string.

Note that string tensions are expressed on the calculator in Newtons rather than good old fashioned Kilograms force. A kilogram force is equivalent to 9.8 Newtons, however, for convenience just divide Newtons by 10 to arrive at the Kilogram force equivalent (so, for example, 37 Newtons simply equates to 3.7 Kg force rather than more exactly nearly 3.78Kg) - it is close enough for string calculations.