Zulkarnain
Oud Junkie
Posts: 667
Registered: 1-14-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Broken Strings
Hi
I have a question about stringing and tuning Oud to an Iraqi type of tuning - F C G D C F (low to high).
My first question is, what is the right string gauge or tension to hold such high tuning as mentioned above?
My second question will be, is there any method of stringing & tuning the Oud?
Im having problem with a lot of broken strings everytime trying to get the right pitch (even with the lower string-5th & 6th) Even after I get a
custom set of Pyramid (Lute) strings with the measurement of the Iraqi tuning it still doesnt do any good. Im wondering if there might be any certain
method or maybe a different gauges for this strings to get it right?
Below are the Pyramid Lute strings set that I use to tune on my Bashir Oud :-
PYF 047 = F
PYF 060 = C
PYF 1007 = G
PYF 1013 = D
PYF 1016 = C
PYF 1035 = F
Thanks in advance for any help-hope to hear from everyone soon!
Regards
Zul
|
|
|
Elie Riachi
Oud Junkie
Posts: 582
Registered: 4-9-2004
Location: Kansas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gebran Tueni Lives For Ever, 12-12-05.
|
|
Possible causes for this:
1. The string is binding at the nut in the groove. This is the case if the break is near the nut.
2.The frequency supplied to Pyramid is an octave lower than you tune for them to compute the proper gauge.
3. The scale length used in computing is gauge shorter than the actual.
Elie
|
|
|
Zulkarnain
Oud Junkie
Posts: 667
Registered: 1-14-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Hi Elie
Thanks for the promt reply! The string usually break above the top nut (around the peg box area so I dont think it is because of the string binding
you mentioned over the possible causes #1.
As for the frequency, its pretty standard to use 440 and also I did mention to them at Pyramid bout the notes of the Iraqi tuning. Scale length also
being inform before any order made.
Im thinking of maybe theres a certain step of how we change those strings and stretch them in the right method before we pull them to that high
extend.
Anyway thanks for your advise-hope to hear from others too 
Salam
|
|
|
billkilpatrick
Oud Junkie
Posts: 563
Registered: 1-3-2004
Location: italy
Member Is Offline
Mood: what?
|
|
someone (from this site?) posted the following address to help prolong the life of your strings:
http://www.marinews.com/fishing/Knots%20&%20Rigging/fk_bloodk.h...
- bill
|
|
|
Elie Riachi
Oud Junkie
Posts: 582
Registered: 4-9-2004
Location: Kansas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gebran Tueni Lives For Ever, 12-12-05.
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Zulkarnain
Hi Elie
The string usually break above the top nut (around the peg box area so I dont think it is because of the string binding you mentioned over the
possible causes #1.
Salam |
If they are breaking between the peg and the nut, then they are more than likely binding in the nut's grooves or the edges of the grooves are
sharp and nicking the strings, creating a weak point and eventualy breaking, this could also cause to break on the opposite side of the nut but very
close to it. Inspect the nut closely (magnifying lens)
Good luck
|
|
|
Elie Riachi
Oud Junkie
Posts: 582
Registered: 4-9-2004
Location: Kansas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gebran Tueni Lives For Ever, 12-12-05.
|
|
Hi Bill,
Do fish like oud music? 
Elie
|
|
|
Zulkarnain
Oud Junkie
Posts: 667
Registered: 1-14-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Hi Elie
Thanks for the advise-actually the groves over the nut is fine but those around the peg box (area where all the strings touch the peg box after the
top nut) is a bit uneven with a lot of sharp edges etc. specially where the 1st & 2nd strings are. The rest of the area is fine (smooth and
looking ok-but why the 5th & 6th strings also can break during tuning?) If that is the reason-any idea how I can improve this area?
Thanks
|
|
|
Elie Riachi
Oud Junkie
Posts: 582
Registered: 4-9-2004
Location: Kansas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gebran Tueni Lives For Ever, 12-12-05.
|
|
Hi Zul,
One way I can think of is to use a thicker nut, thick enough to where the strings will not touch that surface of the peg box. Another suggestion
would be to round smooth that area instead. May be others have better fixes!
Can you post a picture?
Good luck,
Elie
|
|
|
Ronny Andersson
Oud Junkie
Posts: 724
Registered: 8-15-2003
Location: Sweden
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Zul, I use Pyramid lute strings on my Bashir ouds without any problems. I think Elie gave you some good advices.
|
|
|
Zulkarnain
Oud Junkie
Posts: 667
Registered: 1-14-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Hi
I attached couple of images of the area around the Peg Box-If I lift the top nut the action will be high increase and theres no way I can avoid those
strings not to touch the peg box area but I think the best way I can do is to smooth the rough edges of the peg box area. Have a look at the images
and let me know what you guys think. Ronny, your Lute strings is the same set that I use on my Bashir oud now.
Thanks guys!
|
|
|
Zulkarnain
Oud Junkie
Posts: 667
Registered: 1-14-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
.
|
|
|
Elie Riachi
Oud Junkie
Posts: 582
Registered: 4-9-2004
Location: Kansas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gebran Tueni Lives For Ever, 12-12-05.
|
|
Your outer strings may have made their own grooves in the peg box and are getting in a bind there. Well anyway one solution would grinde a nice large
radius instead of the sharp edges over the whole area where the strings are touching the peg box, then veneer it with a 1 mm thick sheet of teflon so
the strings will slide easily.
|
|
|
Zulkarnain
Oud Junkie
Posts: 667
Registered: 1-14-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Hi
Thanks to Elie, Ronny and Bill for helping with advise and comments-I will try and experiment with the adjustment and let you guys know if I got lucky
this time Hope to hear more from you guys and others too!
Salam
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbprobrown/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
