Mike's Oud Forums

Strings & Tuning

Mostafa Harake - 10-31-2014 at 01:31 PM

Hello Guys,

I am changing the tuning and I will change the strings as well. I want the runing to be as follows (starting from the nearest string to the ground): C G D A F C.

I found a set of 11 strings on ebay. But, i have 2 questions please:

1- The low C will have a single string, is that right?
2- In the attached picture, the product description shows that the order of the tunings is different from what I want. Will it still work if I install these strings and tune them the way I want?

Thank you so much for your help.

Cheers

[file]33068[/file]

Brian Prunka - 10-31-2014 at 01:59 PM

That set is for Turkish tuning (low to high) C# F# B e a d'.
It would work OK for your oud but not ideal—the two nylon courses would be a bit light, as would the lowest C# string.

There are many possibilities for better sets . . . I am linking to a few below:
http://www.oudstrings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=...
http://www.oudstrings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=...
http://www.oudstrings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=...


Jody Stecher - 10-31-2014 at 02:05 PM

Turkish music theory gives the names to the notes a fourth higher than the rest of the world does. This is not the set you want for your oud.

muhssin - 10-31-2014 at 08:21 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Jody Stecher  
Turkish music theory gives the names to the notes a fourth higher than the rest of the world does. This is not the set you want for your oud.


that is correct. it is very confusing: when the turks say D (Re) they mean A (La), E(Me) is B(Si) and so on.

Matthias - 11-1-2014 at 02:00 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Mostafa Harake  
Hello Guys,

I am changing the tuning and I will change the strings as well. I want the runing to be as follows (starting from the nearest string to the ground): C G D A F C.


Hello Mostafa,

beside the tuning you desided to apply on you instrument to play with it is important to have the scale of the instrument ( distance from the bridge to the saddle ). This was neglected in the other posts. Without having the scale it is not possible to make an exact recomendation for your instrument. Furthermore there are some other factors which should not be neglected. Is it a simple and solid instrument and what is about the action. But as a starting point I do recomment a tension for the strings of 35 - 37 Newton, a floating bridge should have more.
I have composed a lot of different sets which I do offer in my shop:
http://music-strings.de/index.php?k=131
After measuring the scale you can have a look there. If you give me more details about your instrument, I can make you a personal recommendation. You can contact me directly through the shop.

Best regards
Matthias

Mostafa Harake - 11-1-2014 at 06:41 AM

Thank you Guys, this was very informative.
You really helped me, highly appreciated.
One day I will be able to help other new joiners and beginners.
Cheers