Ararat66
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Tasos Theodorakis oud - string tension question
Hi folks
I would appreciate a bit of advice regarding string tension. My oud is made by Tasos Theodorakis (2008) and 585 mm scale length and I've always used
Kurschner High Tension Turkish sets on it (it was supplied with these initially).
I have noticed for some time though, that they tend to feel tight when playing and although they sound quite zingy I feel the sustain is relatively
low also. So after our last meeting here in the UK with Nizar Rohana who also pointed this out (and then also playing lots of other ouds which I
don't normally get chance to do) I tuned down initially one full tone to 'Arabic' tuning but then the top four treble strings down a further half tone
(so like the Armenian EABEAD but down 1.5 tones) and the oud feels much better to play ... loads better ... and it still doesn't sound or feel dull or
slack ... but I miss the zing of the higher tuning and to which the top has presumably been tuned and braced to.
So my thought is to try a lower tension Kurschner 'Turkish' set and tune back up (I'm due a string change soon anyway) to BEAD for the trebles, to
pick up on the inherent frequencies built into the top.
Has anyone used the lower tension Turkish sets and should I also consider Pyramids? My other thought was that Tasos builds these ouds as if they were
'new' Manols, so I presume an 'old' Manol would not be strung too highly and maybe braced to lower concert pitches of its time maybe?
Any advice would be much appreciated as I am practicing a lot more now my children are a little older and am devoted to this instrument.
Cheers
Leon
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MatthewW
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Hi Leon- I have a 58.5 scale oud, but have always used the 'Arabic' tuning, one tone lower that the Turkish, and for strings I have tried a few makes
and what seems to sound fine for me are the basic 'Arabic' orange label pyramids, even on a 58.5 scale oud. I think the same set/tension strings can
sound different from one oud to another.
If you plan to keep the Turkish tuning on Blondie, you could give the basic Pyramid Turkish oud strings a try, a set won't cost you a fortune. If they
work for you then fine, if they don't then c'est la vie l'oud. let us know what you come up with! 
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Ararat66
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Hi Matthew
Thanks for that - actually tuned down sounds ok but it has lost a bit of 'fire' particularly when playing softly which I like and is important to my
sensibility. I just wondered what others here who play Turkish/Armenian/Greek styles and ouds think ... and I know of a couple of members with Tasos
ouds who I'd love to hear from.
There is definately an issue with the sound here - but it may not be a problem with the oud but with the strings. The other variable of course is my
playing and mizrap technique - but I was assured by Nizar Rohana that that wasn't the case (we've met a few times and has seen me make progress of
sorts!!!). I know Nizar is playing Arabic tuning/style?? etc but sound is sound, an oud is an oud and Nizar is a master of the instrument and not
dogmatic so I take his observations seriously.
Leon
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paulO
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Hi Leon,
Have you tried the lower tension set yet ?? This might be a good compromise -- you'll just have to experiment and see. Most of the time, when ouds
meant for EABead, or C#F#Bead, etc. are tuned down a step or so, they'll lose some of "that" character in the trebles. Sometimes heavier treble
strings (the a and d courses) help...but that's only if the strings seem too slack when tuned down. The other thing is -- Kurschner may have changed
their formulation slightly, but enough to make a tension difference....just a thought. You'll just have to experiment to find something that works for
you....good luck.
Cheers..Paul
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Ararat66
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Hi Paul
I haven't tried a lower tension set yet - as you say 'that' character in the trebles is what I miss, but it is definitely tight when tuned up fully.
I don't really want to keep My Tasos tuned down but would prefer to find a solution that keeps the higher overtones buzzing, but retain sustain and
sweetness.
Having said that when I pick closer to the sound hole with it tuned down some of that buzz (good buzz that is) begins to surface. I just want my oud
to find its full character.
Leon
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Kelly
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Hi Leon.
Glad you are enjoying your quest for "that" sound. As suggested different tensions in trebles Kurschner or Pyramids might be worth exploring. I
tried as Charlie suggested Pyramid lute nylon trebles (lower tension) for my Safi oud and they definitely help to bring out a fuller tone. Its
cheaper than going for a full set. Mix and match why not.
I'll give you an update when I'm back from the Pyrenees!
Kelly
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Ararat66
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Hi Kelly
That sounds interesting I'll look into that. Its a fuller tone with the, in this case, Greek zinginess at the same time ... I know its in there
Keep peddling - good luck in the mountains.
Leon
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Kelly
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Hi Leon
Maybe you should try bouzouki ! )
Thanks send greetings to sgr Pinnarello--
Kelly
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reminore
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i play an oud made by tasos and am most satisfied by using aquila's turkish classical set...the oud is now almost 4 years old whose tone has matured
wonderfully.
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Ararat66
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Hi Reminore
Nice to hear of your Tasos oud, Interesting about the Aquilas, I haven't used them for a long time - My oud is just over 3 years old and the tone is
changing and I think to fully take advantage of this I need to take the tension down in the trebles. I am looking into various tensions of strings
but also the timbre they produce.
I think this Tasos oud has hidden depths - I've always thought that but may because I am playing more and improving somewhat that this is becoming
more apparent.
The thing is, if you listen and sense the instrument it will tell you what is needed I think. My feeling is that the trebles need to be more relaxed
as it just feels overtight and slightly hard when playing and there is a thinness in sound that is not there when reducing the tension. I want to
retain the zinginess but allow for a more relaxed and open feel and sound in the trebles, so it is restoring the balance.
I'm interested to hear of anyone else's experience of this relative to Turkish/Greek/Armenian ouds.
Leon
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Ararat66
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Hi Kelly
Sgr Pinarello sends his best wishes, and suggests I stick to the oud ... he keeps telling me I wouldn't jump off my bike if I were still peddling.
Leon 
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