guilhem
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Registered: 11-17-2005
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stringing issues
Hi everybody. Need some advice on this one to make up for my total lack of experience...
Bought an oud (Syrian made I believe) with a floating bridge.
I was getting some "buzz" on the copper wound strings and decided to change the whole set. Could only find some Gato strings for tuning in F (3 black
nylon/ 3 silver plated) so I bought this set and scrapped the old one (no turning back...).
3 issues now :
- floating bridge position not marked on the sounboard - where was it in the first place...I don't know! Where should it be?
- Gato strings purchased too short + can't find a good way to make adequate knots (high F is always sliding when tuned and usually comes off when
playing, some knots are weakening the silverplated strings => I have already lost one!)
- the "buzz" is still present.
I'll post details+pics in other messages to make things clearer.
Any help warmly welcome as my new oud is now unplayable.
Thanks in advance,
Guilhem.
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guilhem
Oud Lover

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stringing at the pegbox
Details of what I've done to make up for the short strings.
Is it the right way to do? Is there an adequate knot for this to prevent sliding/breaking of the strings?
Better option get the good lenght!! I believe I need at least 1.05m lenght to make it work. Problem : I cannot find any indication of what the length
is before buying/opening a new set...
Any idea of manufacturer giving that kind of data or having long strings available?
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guilhem
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stringing the other end...
As far as I can remember the original stringing was with both strings tied together (see picture).
Apart from the fact that it has never been working properly with the high F course (coming off every 5 minutes) is the best way to do it?
Guilhem.
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guilhem
Oud Lover

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Back to the "buzz"
Having changed the strings (and lost some in the process) and read some post on "buzzing" issues I can tell that what I am hearing has nothing to do
with interference of the 2 strings of the same course : I still have it at the same position on the fingerboard with only one string...
Is it normal with a brand new oud??
Can it disappeared over time?
What option do I have to minimize it (floating bridge position, lower tuning, fingerboard...)?
Thanks for your help,
Guilhem.
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SamirCanada
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Hey first welcome to the forums. I use D'addario with great succes on my floating brige oud. They are more then long enough. If however you dont have
enough lenght on your strings, instead of doing a typical knot. you can do a simple know ( une petite boucle comme la première pour attacher son
soulier) and then you slide the string through the peg hole untill the knot stops the string from going further its a good technique I figured out.
You do the same thing at the bottom slot for the strings. Hopefully this gives you enough string... if not swich brands of strings.
Second. For your buzzing, you have to identify where the buzz comes from and what makes it buzz. In other words is the buzz coming from the pegbox? is
it comming from a worn or unwound string? is it coming from the strings too close to the face? is comming from the strings at the brige? When you tap
gently the face of your oud do you hear a rattle ( possibly from the brace) Does the buz happen only on certain fingered positions on the fingerboard
or does it happen when you strike a open string?
With those questions awnsered it will be easier to help you out.
There are many ways to string a oud at the peg box.
http://www.oudcafe.com/stringing_and_tuning.htm
Si tu décend jusqu'en bas de la page, Il y a deux diagrames qui t'indiquerons comment placer les cordes dans la "boite" Suit le modele à droite soit
le modele arabe.
Troisièmement, Its a good bet that the brige on this oud is roughly at 60cm from the nut. so take a tape and mesure for where to place your brige. I
know that bashir ouds have a 59 cm scale so its a bit shorter. I would play around the 59 to 60.5 cm range and see where I get the best sound If I
were you.
Salamtak bekhair
Samir
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guilhem
Oud Lover

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stringing
Thanks Samir,
I'll try that tomorrow (it's past midnight here...). I'll post my findings.
Bonne nuit,
Guilhem.
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guilhem
Oud Lover

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Samir,
The bridge is now at 60cm from the nut.
Stringing advice looking goog today : the strings now stay in place (at last!) except for the broken one that as ended in the dustbin.
I might change the set again as I don't like the sound&tension of the Gato black nylon (also very small diameter).
I've got a La Bella OU-80 but it's a G A B E A D - I don't know that tuning! but I thing I can get a d'addario set quite easily over here.
For buzzing : none at all with open strings. Can't hear anything coming from the pegbox ot the bridge. Seems more related to specific areas of the
fingerboard (areas changed slightly after moving the bridge).
Thanks for your help,
Guilhem.
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SamirCanada
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the Labella strings you have are for Turkish tuning thats why your not familiar with it.
Ok I can only try to guide you but it could be that the buzz comes from
A) Your brige beeing too low. Could cause the vibrating portion of the string to buzz.
B) A brace that is loose from under the face of the oud.
C) A worn fingerboard that has a dent where you put your fingers.
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