Mike's Oud Forums

Tip: Adding a 6th string or a 6th course and protecting the peg box

Elie Riachi - 4-28-2004 at 09:47 PM

Hello,

This may be a little known practice but probably an important one. When adding a sixth string or a sixth course (that would be the thick strings 11 and 12 from the bottom), it is recommended to thread them thru the first pair of the lower pegs, pegs 1 & 2 close to the top nut or the nose. And move the 1st and 2nd strings (lightest gauge) to the 11th and 12th pegs, these would be the farthest from the top nut. The reason for this is to prevent peg box failure (such as twisting or breaking off) by minimizing the torque produced by the larger tension from these heavier gage strings by shotening the leverage arm.

I thought I'd share this piece of information with you good folks.