Equations for string tension + guitar sets on oud
Hey all,
I do a lot of experimental math as a hobby and I derived the equations for string tension in terms of relevant variables. This should be for interest
of anyone wanting to do exact calculations by themselves for several applications on the oud: e.g. wanting to use a different string material, or
using string sets for different instruments on the oud, or finding the tension change for a particular scale length of instrument, diameter, tuning,
density of material, and so on. I have found that online calculators aren't necessarily mapped out for the specific variable you are interested in.
An example of an application: as we all know classical guitar sets/singles are more abundant, available, varied in material, and sometimes cheaper
than oud sets. After using easily obtainable single guitar trebles successfully (and very economically) on my oud I thought; why not do this for other
strings? I realized that many guitar string sets are complementary to the oud; for example the E can be used as a C on the oud, the A as an F, the D
string as an A, and so on, with desirable tension. Also, the scale length of the classical guitar is standardized at 650 mm making tension
measurements reliable. Thus I made an Excel spreadsheet along these principles; you find a guitar string set online, plug in its tension measurement
into the spreadsheet, and you get an output of the tension on your oud based on its scale length and tuning (I included CFADGC, D/G, and half-step
down tuning.) Knowing that a normal oud set has an average tension per string of around 3.0-3.8 kg, and based on your preferences, you can construct
your own "oud set" from classical guitar strings. Also you can change the frequencies and scale length to use lute strings or other instrument strings
on the oud. Please find the equation and spreadsheet attached.
I hope you find this helpful,
Mohamed
Attachment: string tension table.xls (55kB)
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