Mike's Oud Forums

changing oud stirngs

oudplayer - 6-3-2008 at 10:51 AM

Hey guys

I was thinking when do you change strings on your oud when they dont break. i play my oud all the time and i think the sound is getting duller and not as loud as they started.
its been on for way over 7 or 8 months.

how often do you change strings and when do you change strings?

thx sammy

carpenter - 6-3-2008 at 12:54 PM

I don't have all that much experience with ouds, but the classical guitar players (nylon strings also) I know change strings every six months, minimum, and some change a few days before every performance - just to let them settle down and stretch out. I change my violin strings every six months or so, need it or not; it depends on if you play a lot or a little. For a set of fiddle strings - $-wise - you can get three or four sets of good oud strings, it's not like you're spending the National Debt or anything.

I'd say, if you can really tell a difference in sound, you might be a little overdue. Strings are cheap compared to peace of mind and confidence. One Man's Opinion.

Jassim - 6-3-2008 at 01:20 PM

i change my strings evry 2 month

carpenter - 6-3-2008 at 01:27 PM

Yikes!

Anybody else ...?

SamirCanada - 6-3-2008 at 02:49 PM

about every 4 months for me.
I play about 5 to 10 hours a week.

Melbourne - 6-3-2008 at 08:06 PM

It really depends how much you play, and the qulatiy of the strings. Ages ago I used to use these cheap pink label savarez strings. Although they had a nice sound, on the low tension side, the wounds would start to lose their silver colour after a couple of weeks, and a couple of more weeks and they get brown and green! and the sound gets duller. I've never had this problem with aquilla strings, they tend to last a while. But I definitely believe its how often you play, considering you put high qulatiy strings on ur oud, and u practice 4 hours a day, then you would change em every couple of months.

I dunno if theres special wipes or fluids that you can use on ouds, like the stuff u use for guitars to clean the strings after playing so they last longer...I'm sure stuff for classical guitar would work fine.

Benjamin - 6-3-2008 at 10:03 PM

Every 6 months and I usually play at least around 15 hours a week, but I'm too much lazy and moneyless to change it more oftentimes.. I should change them every 3 months I guess, as i can already fell that my 3 months old strings start to show signs or tiredness

Jason - 6-4-2008 at 09:35 AM

I think it depends on the oud as well. My Ghadban is quite bright sounding and can go a very long time between strings. My Sukar seems to need changes more often though.

The environment you keep your oud in also has an effect. I get longer life by always keeping the oud in it's case.