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Daniel Mari oud string set.

charlie oud - 2-27-2009 at 02:49 AM

http://www.ostriesculpture.com/danielmaristrings.htm

I thought I would try these strings based on comments on this forum and the reputation of Daniel Mari. Besides, my strings needed changing.

I have to say Im very impressed. These strings have an authentic voice, the bass's are precision manufactured, very finely wound and they sing. The nylons are diferent from any I've come across. They too have lyrical quality. This set is Arabic low tension of professional standard and I recommend trying them. Its hard to describe string sound exactly but put it this way; If the Arabic oud could choose its own strings rather than the player choose them, then I reckon the ouds may well opt for this kind of sound, they seem to bring out the instruments innate qualities. Dont be put off by the low price, they are a high quality product, easily on par with the very best available. You can get them from the above link, scroll down to find. As our own Rojaros on this forum put it, "You may be surprised". :airguitar:

paulO - 2-27-2009 at 06:57 AM

Hi Charlie,

I'd tried these strings on Turkish ouds many years ago, and found them to be as described. The only problem was, inconsistent guages from set to set, but we were ordering direct from Daniel Mari with specific guages requested. The quality, and sound of the strings were never in question though. The 3rd string (E), or D in this case also had a very smooth feel that I've never found on strings from any other company.

Regards..Paul

charlie oud - 2-27-2009 at 07:59 AM

Hi Paul,

Thanks for that, I cant speak for the guage problem as this is the first set I've tried, I bought 2 sets so I'll check the set I've yet to use, I feel that Bill Ostrie at the link provided may sort any porblem of that kind. Glad you enjoy and appreciate the strings, I feel they deserve more of a chance. C

fhydan - 4-6-2009 at 01:01 PM

I just got a set of Daniel Mari oud strings.

I got the following:
1st & 2nd : nylon

third, fourth, fifth and sixth: wound strings.

Does anyone know if the 1st and 2nd nylon sets are designed to be tuned C & G or F & C?

Its just that every strings I've ever seen always had the G string in nylon, does this set have them wound???

Butrous - 4-6-2009 at 03:38 PM

If the package says "1" it is C,

"2" is G and

"00" is F.

The "00" for F was my suggestion.

It was previously labeled "mumtaz" in Arabic. Older packages might have this designation.

fhydan - 4-6-2009 at 03:59 PM

Hi Butrous,

The set has strings up to "6", though.
that is, "1", "2"..., "6".

Which made me think "1" must be the F?

Butrous - 4-6-2009 at 06:17 PM

No.

It is C to C.

(treble)C G D A F C(bass)

fhydan - 4-6-2009 at 07:43 PM

Should I worry about damaging my oud if I tune these strings on it to FADgc?

Reda Aouad - 4-6-2009 at 07:57 PM

You mean FADgcf instead of CFADgc?
This would definitely damage your oud. It will either rip the bridge off the soundboard or even rip a portion of the soundboard with it, that if the strings didn't break as well. You should not tune the strings any higher than what they are intended for, as this will greatly increase the tension. According to Jameel http://www.khalafoud.com, tuning a whole tone higher will increase the tension by ~0.8kg per string. If you do the math (you are tuning 2 and a half steps higher), the total tension will increase by ~22kgs for 11 strings!! Are you still thinking about it?!

Marcus - 4-6-2009 at 10:46 PM

Hi all :wavey:

I tune my oud DGAdgc, so it`ll be just 3 strings tuned 1 step higher=2,4 kgs.

Will that do any damages to the oud?

Another question:
Is it possible to tune a arabic string set (pyramid) up to turkish tuning EABead, on a turkish oud?

fhydan - 4-7-2009 at 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reda Aouad
You mean FADgcf instead of CFADgc?
This would definitely damage your oud. It will either rip the bridge off the soundboard or even rip a portion of the soundboard with it, that if the strings didn't break as well. You should not tune the strings any higher than what they are intended for, as this will greatly increase the tension. According to Jameel http://www.khalafoud.com, tuning a whole tone higher will increase the tension by ~0.8kg per string. If you do the math (you are tuning 2 and a half steps higher), the total tension will increase by ~22kgs for 11 strings!! Are you still thinking about it?!

Noooooooooooooooooooooooo

Reda Aouad - 4-7-2009 at 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marcus
Hi all :wavey:

This is not recommended. Even if the oud can handle the extra tension with no risk at all (which isn't the case), the D and G bass strings will be tighter and sound different, as if they were from another set of strings. I've tried once to tune the bass F to G to use it as a drone for a certain piece on G and I didn't like it at all.

abusin - 4-7-2009 at 06:08 AM

Hi Charlie,

Hope you're OK, I got a Mari set and was the only set worked perffectly well on my old Salmeen oud and they ring delightfuly my friend

And by the way Bill is a true gentleman very helpfull, kept emailing until I got them and I was satisfied, what a great service :xtreme:

By the way I got his contact details a while ago posted by Mike, thanks buddy :wavey:

See you Charlie

Reda Aouad - 4-7-2009 at 06:11 AM

Hi all.

I didn't try this set before, but I'm thinking now of trying it based on your feedback.
If someone has also tried the Aquila low-tension set, could you please compare both?

Thanks

fhydan - 4-7-2009 at 04:43 PM

Daniel Mari strings are the <b>shoot</b>!

charlie oud - 4-8-2009 at 09:59 AM

Hi Awad & Reda and all :wavey:

Glad you like em Awad. The bass's are superb. Another thing about the Mari bass strings is that they keep a lovely tone as they age, mellow and warm. See you soon Mate :airguitar:

Reda, I have used Aquilla and they are good quality but I prefer The Mari set. Aquilla to me is a particular sound, kind of Iraqi is how I would describe it. My concern with Aquila is that the bass's are far too diferent in tone to the trebles. To my ears it sounds like 2 different instruments. Though as I say they are good quality and have good sound. The only way to find out is to try both sets. I think the Mari bass's are the best bass strings I have ever tried. :airguitar:

rojaros - 4-9-2009 at 01:29 PM

Mari Strings are my first choice now - superb sets if you don't expect high tension.
The strings age very well, they need some time to settle but then develop beautifully ...
I sometimes think, oh, they are so long on my oud, I should replace the,. but then te sound is still so nice, I don't see the point.
Bill Ostrie is a great and kind person to deal with - very helpful.

Best wishes

Robert

PS Bill Ostrie sent me recently a set for the turkish oud for testing and I put it on my Copcouglu Oud. It's the best set I ever had on this oud.

Luttgutt - 4-10-2009 at 12:31 PM

A couple of month ago I got my beautiful costum made 58,5 cm floating bridge ARABIC oud (EADgcf).

I tried 6 different string sets on it (pyramid, Leonida, Thomastik, Aquila standard...) nothing worked really.
The Aquila's almost destroid the oud (the part of the ebony fingerboard that goes inside the sound board got a litle separated and higher than the rest of the sound board!!)..

-last week I gave a shot at Marie Daniel (thanks to Charlie here :-)
And the oud walk up, and became a new instrument!! Wonderful tone. Warm and strong. Long sustain..

Thanks a lot Charlie :bowdown:

P.S. I need to say that I am using the Aquila for the ff strings (Daniel did not have those). And I put back the Thomastik on the E base. The rest is Daniel Marie :-)

charlie oud - 4-11-2009 at 09:02 AM

You're welcome Luttgutt, Glad you and your oud like them

Reda Aouad - 5-1-2009 at 11:37 AM

Impressing !!

The bass strings have the best sound among all sets I've tried so far (Pyramid, Crystal, Labella, Thomastik). It's amazing!! And they've settled over night :applause:

I was very satisfied

and I'm sure they'll get even better..

And Bill Ostrie is a very kind and gentle person.. And his service is excellent.

Marcus - 6-26-2009 at 04:10 AM

Hi all :wavey:

I tried out the Daniel Mari arabic strings on my turkish oud.
They have a very warm and smooth sound. Because of the very low tension they are not as loud as the pyramids I usually use, and they buzz a little ,but only if I do not play exact.
They make my turkish oud sound like a big arabic one :bounce:

.I`m very happy with this strings.They are my first choice now!!

All in all......great strings for a great price :applause:

Benjamin - 6-27-2009 at 01:42 AM

Great strings for their price, but I suggest replacing the g and c trebles by something else like aquilla for instance, as they sound and feel a bit hard and with no elasticity or reaction (but still they are ok).
I recommend these strings as well, as their quality and their low price worth it

Melbourne - 6-27-2009 at 08:07 PM

I tried the Maris on my 61.5 fixed bridge shehata...the sound is very nice - very arabic, very old school. I actually got my set from Bill Ostrie - who was very helpful - I'm not sure if he is on these forums.

Not that one can complain due to the pricing - but I find the basses age quite quickly, they discolour - but as rojaros noted...the sound remains full.

Great set if you like low tension playing.

patheslip - 6-28-2009 at 04:08 AM

What should you recommend for an Arabic oud, 60.5 cm fixed bridge, if volume and carrying power were the criteria?

I play in noisy places.

rojaros - 7-1-2009 at 03:43 AM

hi there,

as I wrote several times, I also find these string marvelous - and as far as I can judge they were also of consistent quality (4 sets now used).

Mari offers now also a specific turkish set that I tried on my turkish oud nd I plainly like them.

best wishes
Robert

Quote: Originally posted by charlie oud

http://www.ostriesculpture.com/danielmaristrings.htm

I thought I would try these strings based on comments on this forum and the reputation of Daniel Mari. Besides, my strings needed changing.

I have to say Im very impressed. These strings have an authentic voice, the bass's are precision manufactured, very finely wound and they sing. The nylons are diferent from any I've come across. They too have lyrical quality. This set is Arabic low tension of professional standard and I recommend trying them. Its hard to describe string sound exactly but put it this way; If the Arabic oud could choose its own strings rather than the player choose them, then I reckon the ouds may well opt for this kind of sound, they seem to bring out the instruments innate qualities. Dont be put off by the low price, they are a high quality product, easily on par with the very best available. You can get them from the above link, scroll down to find. As our own Rojaros on this forum put it, "You may be surprised". :airguitar:

Benjamin - 7-1-2009 at 09:41 AM

Dear Daniel Mari stringed ouds fellows,
One question: do you play with a rather hard or a rather soft pick on your oud which has Daniel Mari strings?

Reda Aouad - 7-1-2009 at 09:45 AM

I play with a medium-softness, wide risha.

Ararat66 - 7-3-2009 at 02:10 PM

Hi folks

I've got the Turkish set on my Tasos 'Blondie' oud and after three weeks or so on there they are sounding better and better - it has also been really hot here which I think Blondie likes very much.

I've found that I need to tune the low string up to 'E' from 'C#', otherwise the tension is too low compared to the other strings.

But a thumbs up from me - great strings, really buzzy and 'resinous' (in the good sense not the negative meaning of buzz).

Leon

rojaros - 7-8-2009 at 12:49 AM

Mari now has also ff extra string

see http://www.ostriemusicsupplies.com/marioud-ar.htm

best wishes

Robert

Quote: Originally posted by Luttgutt

P.S. I need to say that I am using the Aquila for the ff strings (Daniel did not have those). And I put back the Thomastik on the E base. The rest is Daniel Marie :-)

Benjamin - 7-8-2009 at 03:06 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Reda Aouad

I play with a medium-softness, wide risha.

Thank you Reda, what do you mean by "wide"? Ya3ni thick?

Reda Aouad - 7-8-2009 at 03:21 AM

No I meant that has a greater width. The greater the width, the more bassy the sound, and vice versa. I think u get the same effect also with thicker rishas of the same softness (thicker but not necessarily harder).

Benjamin - 7-8-2009 at 11:59 PM

Sorry again but I'm not sure I understood, maybe you meant larger risha?

Reda Aouad - 7-9-2009 at 03:37 AM

I'm talking about the effect of the width of the risha which changes the sound. Check the picture.

[file]10121[/file]

Benjamin - 7-9-2009 at 05:02 AM

Allright thank you very much akhi! Now it's really clear!

MatthewW - 7-10-2009 at 10:17 AM

Hi lads- with all the good feedback on the DM strings I think I'll have to try a set. About that 'buzzing' that is mentioned with these strings, is it pretty minimal? Do you mean that even without having a very low action you'll experience some buzz?
what do you mean by 'resinous' Leon? give me another adjective to catch your drift my man.
Anyone try their high 'ff' strings yet? I use a high 'ff' in my tuning. any feedback on them?
thanks, MW

Reda Aouad - 7-10-2009 at 10:21 AM

I don't experience any buzzing at all! And I have a fairly low action..

Melbourne - 7-10-2009 at 08:15 PM

I think the buzzing may come from the shorter string length ouds...because this set is light enough as it is - which already gives it a brittle loose sound, and because it is an arabic set, then its probably designed with ouds of 61-62 cm string length in mind. When its used on the shorter ouds, like 59, 58.5 - that's probably when buzzing may occur - because the strings are even looser!

Benjamin - 7-11-2009 at 02:55 AM

Does anybody has an idea of the tension of these strings? I mean, is it more than the average 35 Newton of the pyramid lute strings?
I have a 58,5 cm oud, and it's not buzzing, or only a little bit, but for shure on a 60 or more cm oud it would not.

fernandraynaud - 8-10-2009 at 11:45 PM

No, no, Ararat/Leon meant that they have a rich sound, that wonderful oud complexity, not that they buzz on the fingerboard.

Ararat66 - 8-11-2009 at 12:52 PM

Hi all

Absolutely spot on Fernand, I couldn't have described it better - that's why I said 'buzzing in the positive sense' - apologies for using the 'b' word so wildly :applause:

not at all fretboard buzzing - I have never had that with my ouds at all even with a good low even action ... and resinous is as resin is, so we are getting a bit synaesthetic here (I am borderline so my words reflect this), but the sound is like how resin is and also the smell of pine and cedar is how the sound is to me - in other words, complex, resonant and woody is the next best description.

Cheers

Leon

fernandraynaud - 8-12-2009 at 03:22 AM

I don't know the tensions, and I'm trying to figure it all out, including the chaos in Matthias' tables. I got 2 sets of Daniel Mari strings, Arabic and Turkish, and I just miked them (that data is of course unavailable), but not installed as yet. As expected they are almost identical, except the 2nd (gg) plain strings are 0.028" in Turkish and 0.032" in the Arabic, Lord knows why.

Here are the current gauges in inches. The usable string length is at least 35". The quality looks very good. Bill Ostrie sells them for $7.99, he ships fast, accepts Paypal, he is truly a gentleman. The Turkish set includes a full 12 strings.

http://www.ostriemusicsupplies.com/oud-strings.htm

Arabic Set: 0.026"plain, 0.032"p, 0.024" wound, 0.029, 0.033, 0.040

Turkish Set: 0.025"p, 0.028"p, 0.024w, 0.030, 0.032, 0.042

There are 0.020" pairs available as "Course 0" for $0.75.

rojaros - 9-15-2009 at 08:50 AM

Hi there, I'm still using Mari strings, they are still great and no buzz whatsoever ... but rich, as described - kind of authentic sound ...

I never trust the string tension as they are given by the manufacturers; even if they give some information on it, it's rarely accurate.

see my simple construction for more accurate measurment (if yu really want to know it and not go by your feeling

):

http://www.mikeouds.com/messageboard/viewthread.php?tid=7868#pid496...

Quote: Originally posted by fernandraynaud

I don't know the tensions, and I'm trying to figure it all out, including the chaos in Matthias' tables.

paulO - 9-15-2009 at 05:25 PM

Hi fernandraynaud,

For a turkish set of strings -- .025 p is a little heavy for a top string tuned to D.
On turkish ouds for the top two strings I've used the folowing guages:

d -- .021-.023 a -- .027 - .028 if you use this same range of guages on an oud with the top two strings tuned to c and g the tension would be quite low, you'd get buzzing from the low tension, and the quality of tone for those strings would suffer.

Regards...Paul

francis - 9-16-2009 at 02:04 PM

Hello.

I would like to try these strings ( arabic set ) on a 62cm string length oud, actually setted with a Labella set wich offer a satisfying tension but a too small sound. Do you think I can install it with a approximatively same tension for the same tuning ( C GG AA DD gg cc )?
Thanks,

Francis

David.B - 12-8-2009 at 11:15 AM

Quite strange !

I've never heard this before : I bought DM's strings because of your comments but after 2 weeks I still have the same problem on the AA strings. When I pluck them open both sound perfect, and more I play far away from the nut more the 2 strings sound different. On C I've got a difference between the 2 strings about 20 cents ! It never happened before and I can't understand why... Did Anybody have this problem on DM or an other brand ?

FLIPAX - 12-8-2009 at 12:16 PM

Hi David! :wavey:

Quote: Originally posted by David.B

Did Anybody have this problem on DM or an other brand ?

I got the same problem a few days back... It happen on my trebles. I bought PVF from hank levin and PVF Pyramids also.

Quote: Originally posted by David.B

When I pluck them open both sound perfect, and more I play far away from the nut more the 2 strings sound different. On C I've got a difference between the 2 strings about 20 cents !

I think it is something to do with matching. I bought Like 4 sets of PVF and when I tuned my high c and played far especially near the neck joint one string is flat a little bit. but when I played the pair string on open position it was fine.

what i did is I swap the other string from the other new packet of string and put it. Waallla it was fine.

Funny as it may seem Before I figure out what I needed to do is I tried also tuning B4 the string perfectly while I'm on the High Position and when I hit the open strings it oout of tune.

I think the Pairs are not good match to each other on their frequencies of matter. So you have an different note.

So just swap strings if it does not work swap the old again to a new string (Not the one u have change already)

This will surely solve the problem. I'm not a scientist or physist but finding the right match of string will be the answer. Mass or density of matter maybe?

Cheers hope this helps!

Philip :buttrock:

fernandraynaud - 12-8-2009 at 12:42 PM

David, I've seen this problem very rarely, never yet on oud. All it takes is a slightly defective string, wrapping error, core problem, any manufacturing mishap. That can happen on any production line, and nobody tests all their strings because you would have to take them up to pitch, which would make them no longer new, and it would take far too long to test pitches anyway. So every manufacturer spot samples their production and does what they can to visually inspect. As you know, you don't notice anything visually. You won't notice it right away on guitars or basses or violins the way you did, because you must have double strings to hear the difference. What you will notice is a string that can't be tuned quite right, some people vaguely complain, but most don't even notice. On the oud it "sticks out like a sore thumb".

Have you ever worked in manufacturing? I'm amazed anything works in the world, when you see how most people approach their jobs. I would expect all airplanes to fall out of the sky. I don't think this is a big deal, it happens to every manufacturer, you should immediately contact the supplier, state your problem, express your dissatisfaction, and simply request a new set ASAP, or if you want, just the AA pair. Personally I'd replace the whole set anyway, start over.

I don't think this is in any way related, but with Mari the feeling I get is that they are refining various aspects of the oud sets. They have changed details at times, and have solicited feedback. They just sent me a slightly longer set as I was commenting about the length of their bass strings for a 62 cm scale. If one set is going to "fit all", including floating bridge long scale down to Turkish, that's a lot of potentially wasted material, yet there has to be enough length to tie the bass string normally.

David.B - 12-9-2009 at 09:48 AM

Thanks Philip,

I saw your post about the subject but I did not read it, I didn't feel concern... now I am

Tony,

Thanks for your explanation too, I understand why it can sound different now.

Yes I worked in manufacturing (maybe to much for my taste) and right now I'm working in one in France closed to Orly (airport) with disabled (I'm a monitor). Happily it's not aeronautic

. I'm going to follow your advice and ask for a new set. BTW I need to play and I go back on Kürschner this time until I get the new set (if it works).

About the length of their bass strings : I would say the CC one is just on my Sukar !

About my feeling : Great playability ! Really it changes my life. DM allowed many imperfections from the player and you're more relax. At the opposite I find them a little too "electric", now I wonder, it might come from a little difference on 1 or 2 other pairs, but something lighter than my AA...

BTW, thanks for your answers guys

FLIPAX - 12-9-2009 at 04:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David.B

Thanks Philip,

I saw your post about the subject but I did not read it, I didn't feel concern... now I am

No Problem David.B!

Quote: Originally posted by David.B

At the opposite I find them a little too "electric",

Sorry can u explain what do u mean by this....

Thanks

Flipo :airguitar:

David.B - 12-11-2009 at 12:03 AM

Philip,

Do you use http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ ?

It drives me crazy but I can't export from .aup to .mp3 or WAVE, always many cuts... So this is the original recorded with Audacity.

This is what I would call "deep" and "smooth", with Kürschner :

http://www.4shared.com/file/170333313/988ec478/Sukar_Oud_Mod1__Krsc...

Still with Kürschner, the note AA then each string, and C then each string (Sorry, on C it buzzes a little bit, my Sukar Mod.1 is old and the fingerboard used) :

http://www.4shared.com/file/170333360/4ec60305/Sukar_Oud_Mod1__Krsc...

Now what I would call "clear" and "electric" with MY Daniel Mari :

http://www.4shared.com/file/170333417/9aac16e4/Sukar_Oud_Mod8__Dani...

Still with Daniel Mari, the note AA then each string, and C then each string :

http://www.4shared.com/file/170333491/bb1639d9/Sukar_Oud_Mod8__Dani...

When I have this feeling : "electric", it might come from the tension between the 2 strings with a different tuning...

Bill is going to send to me a new set, so I wait and see :shrug:

PS
I don't know if anybody understand the way I write the notes ?!

From the lowest to the highest register per string :

CC DD EE
FF GG
AA BB C
D E F
G A B
c d e f g a b c'

David.B - 12-11-2009 at 09:31 AM

OK, I took an other computer...

I do it again,

This is what I would call "deep" and "smooth", with Kürschner :

http://www.4shared.com/file/170659042/20883a85/Sukar_Oud_Mod1__Krsc...

Still with Kürschner, the note AA then each string, and C then each string (Sorry, on C it buzzes a little bit, my Sukar Mod.1 is old and the fingerboard used) :

http://www.4shared.com/file/170659070/e5ab086a/Sukar_Oud_Mod1__Krsc...

Now what I would call "clear" and "electric" with MY Daniel Mari :

http://www.4shared.com/file/170659025/e8b608a0/Sukar_Oud_Mod8__Dani...

Still with Daniel Mari, the note AA then each string, and C then each string :

http://www.4shared.com/file/170658996/2526dc3b/Sukar_Oud_Mod8__Dani...

When I have this feeling : "electric", it might come from the tension between the 2 strings with a different tuning. I play on Sultani Yakah to get the feeling in the low register. Also you might need a good headphone to hear the difference, but believe me it's impossible to play when the C sounds like that, it's impossible to move into the music.

David.B - 12-28-2009 at 10:32 PM

OK,

I received my brand new set from Bill Ostrie and this one sounds good !

Daniel Mari is the best if we think about the sound, the playability, the price and Bill's after-sales service :applause:

hama - 12-29-2009 at 08:30 AM

I agree with that
it is worth mentioning that no body can beat Bill for pre and post sales support and customer care