Badra
Oud Maniac
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Warmer High Treble
Any suggestions on how to obtain a warmer sound on the high treble? I have a couple of arabic scale ouds, with highest strings tuned to cc or bb
(half step down tuning). They sound ok but I feel they would sound better with a warmer/mellow sound. Anyone else had this issue? Any brand, model,
guage, suggestions to get that warmer sound?
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Jody Stecher
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In general gut is warmer than nylgut.
Nyglut is warmer than nylon.
Nylon is warmer than PVF
In general a wider diameter string will be warmer. But it can also be duller.
Also you can get a warmer sound with any type of string by plucking a bit further from the bridge.... contacting the string closer to sound hole than
the pickguard would suggest.
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Brian Prunka
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Quote: Originally posted by Jody Stecher  | In general gut is warmer than nylgut.
Nyglut is warmer than nylon.
Nylon is warmer than PVF
In general a wider diameter string will be warmer. But it can also be duller.
Also you can get a warmer sound with any type of string by plucking a bit further from the bridge.... contacting the string closer to sound hole than
the pickguard would suggest. |
I love how succinct your answer is, Jody.
I concur 100%. Also pick material has an effect, as well.
Each oud is different, but I have been very pleased with the Aquila "lute" rectified nylgut.
Rectified strings in general have a somewhat different character than plain strings. So rectified and plain nylon will sound different, rectified and
plain nylgut will sound different. PVF is generally not rectified because of the physical characteristics of the material (it becomes too
fragile).
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Jody Stecher
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That's why I wrote "in general" :-)
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Badra
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Thanks guys, the oud matters a lot, not doubt. So we must speak in general terms. I'd say I'd prefer all three of my ouds to have a warmer high
treble. One oud, a cedar top with nylgut, is very warm, almost too warm on the bass strings and middle plain dd, then loses that warmness on the two
highest treble courses, especially the highest course. Sounds like a solution would be to try Aquila lute rectified nylgut. Thanks for the info.
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Badra
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Brian, can you point me to the correct lute rectified nylgut string for cc on an Arabic scale oud. Is it .50? Also, do I need to purchase 2 to make a
pair, or are they already a pair? Also, what would be the guage on the gg string?
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Brian Prunka
Oud Junkie
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| Quote: Originally posted by Badra | | Brian, can you point me to the correct lute rectified nylgut string for cc on an Arabic scale oud. Is it .50? Also, do I need to purchase 2 to make a
pair, or are they already a pair? Also, what would be the guage on the gg string? |
Well, there's not one "Arabic scale"—it's best if you have an actual measurement. The strings are single, so you need 2 to make a pair. Generally
an Arabic oud will be .56-.62 for the c'c' pair and .73-.82 for gg, as a broad range. If you were to just get something in the middle, I'd say .58 or
.60 and .76 or .79.
Please email me at orders@oudstrings.com to discuss your needs.
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