divira
Oud Admirer
Posts: 4
Registered: 2-11-2016
Member Is Offline
|
|
Strings for Arabic tuning on Turkish instrument (57 cm scale)
Hello oud lovers!
I am new here and I need your advice. I have been learning to play the (Arabic) oud for three years. In Turkey I bought an instrument with a scale
length of 57 cm and a normal (Turkish) body, which is more suitable for me than the big Arabic instruments with longer scales. I have changed the
strings (properly) and I used strings for Arabic tuning (C-F-A-d-g-c) with normal tension, but the strings seem too loose and make a “zzz” sound
while playing – I don’t know the word in English 
Since I am used to the Arabic tuning (C-c), should I use (Arabic) strings with HIGH tension? If so, which strings (brand) would you recommend? I am
grateful for any advice!
|
|
|
Brian Prunka
Oud Junkie
Posts: 2939
Registered: 1-30-2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Stringish
|
|
It's a little tough to make this work. 57cm is pretty short. You can get the strings to have better tension but the instrument may never resonate
properly at that tuning.
It would help with the diagnosis if you mention which strings you've already tried.
You will likely need a custom set in order to make it work; I doubt any standard set would work very well even with a 'high tension' set.
Feel free to email at info@oudstrings.com
|
|
|
divira
Oud Admirer
Posts: 4
Registered: 2-11-2016
Member Is Offline
|
|
Hi Brian!
Thank you very much for your reply! I used La Bella strings for arabic tuning and yesterday I tried standard turkish strings, which seem to have more
tension, although they still make the "zzz" sound (especially the metal strings). When I bought the instrument (which was built in 2009) it was tuned
to Turkish tuning and it sounded perfectly (no "zzz" sound) although the scale is shorter.
Before ordering a custom set of strings (which is more expensive), shouldn't I try a standard set with high tension? Or do you think this wouldn't
work?
Thank you very much!!!
|
|
|
Brian Prunka
Oud Junkie
Posts: 2939
Registered: 1-30-2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Stringish
|
|
Custom strings are not really much more expensive. I sell custom sets of LaBella for $22, which is not much more than the standard set.
The LaBella Arabic strings are for F A d g c' f' tuning. So if you are just using the strings from the set then you are tuning it much lower than it
was intended.
If so, one thing you could try is getting rid of the lightest string course in the LaBella set. The second course is intended for c' and is on the
heavy side. It may work for you to simply move all the strings over one slot and add a low C course. .044 would likely work reasonably well.
|
|
|
divira
Oud Admirer
Posts: 4
Registered: 2-11-2016
Member Is Offline
|
|
Yes, I used this set of strings, but I didn't use the highest f string and I added an extra low C string from another set of strings. That means that
I tuned it correctly. I am considering ordering custom strings since there is no other solution. Thank you very much for your advice!
|
|
|
Matthias
Oud Junkie
Posts: 473
Registered: 1-24-2007
Location: Badenweiler, Germany
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Quote: Originally posted by divira  | Hello oud lovers!
I am new here and I need your advice. I have been learning to play the (Arabic) oud for three years. In Turkey I bought an instrument with a scale
length of 57 cm and a normal (Turkish) body, which is more suitable for me than the big Arabic instruments with longer scales. I have changed the
strings (properly) and I used strings for Arabic tuning (C-F-A-d-g-c) with normal tension, but the strings seem too loose and make a “zzz” sound
while playing – I don’t know the word in English
Since I am used to the Arabic tuning (C-c), should I use (Arabic) strings with HIGH tension? If so, which strings (brand) would you recommend? I am
grateful for any advice!
|
Hello,
Any standart set on a 57 scale will have too low tension. I can propose to you this set:
http://music-strings.de/index.php?a=14848&lang=eng
I have the strings on stock and cen send them immediately.
Best regards
Matthias
|
|
|
divira
Oud Admirer
Posts: 4
Registered: 2-11-2016
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thank you very much!
|
|
|
Brian Prunka
Oud Junkie
Posts: 2939
Registered: 1-30-2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Stringish
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by divira | | Yes, I used this set of strings, but I didn't use the highest f string and I added an extra low C string from another set of strings. That means that
I tuned it correctly. I am considering ordering custom strings since there is no other solution. Thank you very much for your advice!
|
Okay, that is a good reference point.
I wasn't sure if that's what you had done.
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbprobrown/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
