cliffgallupsghost - 5-4-2007 at 02:55 AM
I recently bought an oud and I've read that to tune an arabic oud eabead can be very damaging to the neck, but I'm not sure if my oud is turkish or
arabic.
It's neck is 8 1/2 inches from it's nut to the body and the body is 14 1/2 inches across at it's broadest point.
So which is it?
Marina - 5-4-2007 at 03:05 AM
Do you have a picture?
Dr. Oud - 5-4-2007 at 08:30 AM
You need to measure the string length to be sure, but from the length of the neck I'd say Arabic. The total string length should be 3x the length of
the neck. Arabic oud string lengths run from 24 - 25 inches, Turkish are shorter, 22 1/2 - 23 inches. Tuning to the higher pitch EABEAD on a longer
arabic oud can put excess strain on the neck and often pull the bridge off the face, and if the glue joint is really good even sometimes ripping a
hole in the face. Don't do it.
cliffgallupsghost - 5-4-2007 at 10:49 PM
That's very good to know, the strings didn't seem to want to go any higher than cfadgc anyway, so thats the tuning I left it in. Speaking of, the
strings always seem to want to go out of tune, so far I've used the original strings, a very old set of Labellas I bought from a local music store,
(which I mistakenly purchased without thinking of corrosion, being I never had such a problem before) and a new set of Pyramids which I don't like
whatsoever. I get the string in tune and push the peg in further so it holds well, but they go out of tune in just an hour or two later. What could
I possibly be doing wrong?
mourad_X - 5-5-2007 at 01:53 AM
this happens when you put "fresh" strings on your instrument
it disabears after a view days of playing and tuning (again and again)
cliffgallupsghost - 5-6-2007 at 12:25 AM
Thank you so much for the advice gents, I've only had this girl for a week, but already I love it. (I've been familiar with it's sound for years now
but never knew what it was.)
I used to have similar problems with my guitars, but I tried stretching the strings when re-stringing and that eliminated similar problems I'd been
having. Does this technique work with the oud or should I just ride it out?
mourad_X - 5-6-2007 at 12:45 AM
is this your oud on the picture?
if yes it is turkish!
so you can tune it a whole step higher
doesn't it have a label inside
it looks like a ALTO-Oud from Izmir/Turkey
regards
Mourad
Marina - 5-6-2007 at 02:21 AM
Yes, Turkish, but get TURKISH STRINGS SET.
cliffgallupsghost - 5-6-2007 at 02:57 AM
Indeed it is, but aren't Turkish necks supposed to be slightly shorter?
There isn't a label inside of the oud to my knowledge, and the Ebay seller didn't give me any luthier name (I didn't ask either,) I'll e-mail them to
see if they know. (Which I'm sure they do.)
Marina - 5-6-2007 at 04:13 PM
It's just huge Turkish oud, XL.
)
cliffgallupsghost - 5-6-2007 at 08:34 PM
For some reason or other they can't give their name. It is in fact from Turkey so it might be the make you named. Thanks for everyone's advice
again. 
