Rafalcao
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Registered: 12-22-2013
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Strings for FADGCf on Turkish oud
Hello everyone,
I'd like to know which strings to use on a Turkish oud, for Arabic tuning FADGCf. I don't want to damage the instrument, nor end up with too loose
strings.
I found two fairly old threads (1 & 2) discussing the matter but with no actual conclusion. Does anybody have an answer?
Thank you!
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Microber
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Hello Rafalcao,
Welcome to the forum.
For a Turkish oud I once used a set of Pyramid strings for lute made by Matthias Wagner.
Like this one..
The set I had was slightly different.
ff - PYNR0500
cc - PYNR0650
gg - PYNR0850
DD - PYK10095
AA - PYK1016
F - PYK1024
Robert
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Lysander
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Do you know what the original tuning of the instrument was?
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Matthias
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Hello Robert and Rafalco,
yes this set is good, but a little bit different to the values you gave Robert. The actual list will be a quite equal tension. The following strings
will have too low tension:
cc - PYNR0650
gg - PYNR0850
AA - PYK1016
F - PYK1024
The ones it my set are optimum I would say.
It any question remains, please contact me directly through the shop. The strings I do have on stock.
Best regards
Matthias
Quote: Originally posted by Microber  | Hello Rafalcao,
Welcome to the forum.
For a Turkish oud I once used a set of Pyramid strings for lute made by Matthias Wagner.
Like this one..
The set I had was slightly different.
ff - PYNR0500
cc - PYNR0650
gg - PYNR0850
DD - PYK10095
AA - PYK1016
F - PYK1024
Robert |
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Microber
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Yes Matthias, I know these are two different sets.
The one I described is the one I ordered to you and I did ask a very low tension.
The "P21" in your web shop is also quite low tension (34N).
http://music-strings.de/index.php?a=10791&lang=eng
Robert
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Matthias
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Hello Robert,
yes it is a low tension, I would say a minimum tension for an aoud. But for me alwyas is important that the tensions of each string are more equal to
each other to have nearly the same string response when you play.
What do you think about that?
All the best
Matthias
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Brian Prunka
Oud Junkie
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Mimmo Peruffo has written extensively about the reasons why equal tension across all strings is not necessarily a desirable goal.
Some things to consider:
Timbre is important, more so than tension.
Different strings are different materials, and exhibit different tonal properties
Even the same material exhibits different tonal properties at different diameters (e.g., thick nylon sounds different than thin nylon)
Perceived tension is not the same as measured or calculated tension
High frequencies and low frequencies propagate differently and exhibit different energy profiles
Regarding Robert's set, I would make the following changes based on my experience:
f' .500mm - this is fine
c' .650mm - this is fine
g .850mm - I would go no higher than .825. Personally I would use .800mm.
d 10095 - this is fine
A 1016 - this is too low, I would use 1116 or maybe even 1017
F 1024 - this is fine.
I consider "minimum" tension for an oud to be around 28N, but it differs for different courses. 34N is medium-low tension, in my opinion. Ouds
tolerate low tensions very well, it is part of the characteristic sound of the instrument, so generally if there is some uncertainty I consider it
best to err on the side of lower tensions.
The LaBella OU80A should actually work fine on a Turkish oud. Maybe not as perfect as a custom-assembled set, but the tensions are within normal
limits for the instrument. The high f' course is a bit high in tension, a .021in or .020in string would be better. Still, buying an OU80A set and
replacing the high f' will be much less expensive than a set from Pyramid.
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Brian Prunka
Oud Junkie
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Location: Brooklyn, NY
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Here is Mimmo's treatise:
Equal Tension
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Rafalcao
Oud Admirer
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Registered: 12-22-2013
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| Quote: Originally posted by Brian Prunka |
The LaBella OU80A should actually work fine on a Turkish oud. Maybe not as perfect as a custom-assembled set, but the tensions are within normal
limits for the instrument. The high f' course is a bit high in tension, a .021in or .020in string would be better. Still, buying an OU80A set and
replacing the high f' will be much less expensive than a set from Pyramid.
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I'll give it a go then. I'm a beginner and my oud isn't a professional instrument. I just need something decent to get started without worrying about
changing strings every day.
Thanks to all of you for the useful information!
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