Mike's Oud Forums

Dadi Strings - Terrible sound and too high tension?

em.20 - 9-21-2011 at 01:10 AM

Hello,

this is the first time I changed the strings of my turkish oud. I got a package of strings from my oud seller and stringed the oud with them.

But the sound now is terrible, it sounds like a cheap guitar and the tension is way too high in comparison to the old strings.

This is the oud:
http://imageshack.us/g/143/img1222sk.jpg/

These are the strings:
http://www.sazmusicshop.de/images/produkte/777-DSCF9333.jpg

Should I remove to strings to avoid any damage?

What strings you would advice me for C#F#BEAD tuning?

Brian Prunka - 9-21-2011 at 07:20 AM

Yes, the tension on those strings is too high.
It's impossible to be sure on the wound strings since the composition of the string is unknown, but the nylons are definitely too high.

An excellent set for your tuning is the Necati Celik set from MusiCaravan:
MusiCaravan Necati Oud Strings

Many people also like the Aquila set, but the tension on these is a little higher:
Aquila Turkish C# set


D'addario is good for Turkish tuning also.

I hope this is helpful.

em.20 - 9-21-2011 at 07:38 AM

Hi,

thank you! Unfortunately, none of those strings you've mentioned are sold in Germany. I could buy a packet of Pyramid Turkish Oud Strings. Would that be also good?

Matthias - 9-21-2011 at 08:51 AM

Quote: Originally posted by em.20  
Hi,

thank you! Unfortunately, none of those strings you've mentioned are sold in Germany. I could buy a packet of Pyramid Turkish Oud Strings. Would that be also good?


Hello,

so it seems you did not find my shop at http://music-strings.de/
there you will find a lot of string sets for the Aoud:

Aquila: http://music-strings.de/index.php?k=239
Pyramid: http://music-strings.de/index.php?k=130
Savarez: http://music-strings.de/index.php?k=238
Kürschner: http://music-strings.de/index.php?k=137

have a look and if questions remais, ask again or contact me through the shop.

best regards

Matthias

Brian Prunka - 9-21-2011 at 09:28 AM

My shop (oudstrings.com) will ship to Germany.
Matthias is a great source and very knowledgeable as well; this may work better for you since he is in Germany as well.

em.20 - 9-22-2011 at 12:45 AM

Thank you guys! I've focused on the Pyramid strings for Turkish Oud because they're quiete cheap and the experiences are good. According to the information sheet of Pyramid: http://www.pyramid-saiten.de/aoud/info.pdf

the strings have got a traction of 4,7KG. Isn't that also too much?

Matthias - 9-22-2011 at 12:52 AM

Quote: Originally posted by em.20  
Thank you guys! I've focused on the Pyramid strings for Turkish Oud because they're quiete cheap and the experiences are good. According to the information sheet of Pyramid: http://www.pyramid-saiten.de/aoud/info.pdf

the strings have got a traction of 4,7KG. Isn't that also too much?


hello,

this is high! Too high!

normally I string my instruments with about 3.5 Kg or a bit less and a floating bridge with about 4.2 - 4.4 Kg
If you look in my shop at the detailed pages of the sets you will see the tensions of most of the sets

Matthias

em.20 - 9-22-2011 at 04:34 AM

OK! I will forgot it. That's strange, because Pyramid should now of the physical details of an oud, if they produce string for it.

Matthias - 9-23-2011 at 12:31 AM

Quote: Originally posted by em.20  
OK! I will forgot it. That's strange, because Pyramid should now of the physical details of an oud, if they produce string for it.


Hello,

if you do the average tension of all the single tensions you will see that there must be an error. Actually I spoke with Pyramid and they will have a look at this problem.

Matthias

em.20 - 9-23-2011 at 06:20 AM

So there should be no problems with the strings?

Matthias - 9-23-2011 at 08:41 AM

Quote: Originally posted by em.20  
So there should be no problems with the strings?


it depends from the instrument. If you have a cheep and strong/heavy one I woud say no, if you have a good and light one I would not use them

Matthias

em.20 - 9-23-2011 at 10:43 AM

Hmm, ok! My instrument is not very expensive but I don't want to damage it because I like it.

I've ordered a MusiCaravan Neçati Oud Strings from Brian;) They make a quite good impression.

paulO - 9-23-2011 at 01:02 PM

Hi em.20,

The 1st (.028) and 2nd (.032) strings in the pictured set are far to heavy for the tuning you're considering. The guages for the top treble string should be in the range of .021-.023 and for the 2nd .027-.028 or maybe .029. The musicaravan strings should be a big improvement. Good luck. If you do want to work with someone closer to home, Matthias is totally cool -- he helped myself and a friend out with Pyamid strings eons ago when they were much harder to get out here in California.

Regards,

Paul

em.20 - 9-23-2011 at 01:21 PM

Hello Paul,

the Pyramid strings I mean are at the very bottom of the information sheet. The one's above are designed for arabic oud's.

I liked the shop of Matthias also, but he seems to sell mainly upper class strings which are too expensive for me. Especially because I bought my oud for 140€, I think strings for 30€ are oversized.

arsene - 9-23-2011 at 01:32 PM

Wow, I thought I was the only one who came across these horrible torture devices that pass as strings. I once got handed a set of Dadi strings by a "friend" who thought he'd give me an oud related gift... Stupidly enough, at the next string change I actually tried them, despite them already looking a bit dodgy. Well, I was lucky my oud survived! and the sound? Go to the kitchen and hit a can of beans with a spoon - you'll know.

@Brian Prunka & @Matthias - may I ask if you have any recommendations for turkish oud (58,8) with E F# BEAD tuning? I've been using La Bella so far, which were fine, but I feel I can get a bit more out of the sound of my oud, and want to try different strings. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

[EDIT] forgot to mention I have an Aquila (EABEAD) set lying around, would that be suitable even though I will string the A to F#? And is there anything different about stringing nylgut (different procedure or anything)? Thanks a lot!

em.20 - 9-25-2011 at 01:51 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Matthias  
Quote: Originally posted by em.20  
Thank you guys! I've focused on the Pyramid strings for Turkish Oud because they're quiete cheap and the experiences are good. According to the information sheet of Pyramid: http://www.pyramid-saiten.de/aoud/info.pdf

the strings have got a traction of 4,7KG. Isn't that also too much?


normally I string my instruments with about 3.5 Kg or a bit less and a floating bridge with about 4.2 - 4.4 Kg


Which part of the oud is exposed by 3,5kg?

Brian Prunka - 9-25-2011 at 07:23 AM

Quote: Originally posted by arsene  
Wow, I thought I was the only one who came across these horrible torture devices that pass as strings. I once got handed a set of Dadi strings by a "friend" who thought he'd give me an oud related gift... Stupidly enough, at the next string change I actually tried them, despite them already looking a bit dodgy. Well, I was lucky my oud survived! and the sound? Go to the kitchen and hit a can of beans with a spoon - you'll know.

@Brian Prunka & @Matthias - may I ask if you have any recommendations for turkish oud (58,8) with E F# BEAD tuning? I've been using La Bella so far, which were fine, but I feel I can get a bit more out of the sound of my oud, and want to try different strings. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

[EDIT] forgot to mention I have an Aquila (EABEAD) set lying around, would that be suitable even though I will string the A to F#? And is there anything different about stringing nylgut (different procedure or anything)? Thanks a lot!


I assume you're tuning the A down to F#, right? I would be inclined to use a C#F#Bead' set and substitute a different low string for the E.
Is your Aquila set the 5O (light tension) set? The light tension Aquila is safer for Turkish ouds, I think their "standard" tension is too high.

I really like the MusiCaravan strings, actually. The clear nylon Hank uses is very high quality and I think might work even better on a Turkish oud. His "Necati" set is for C#-d tuning.

em.20 - 9-25-2011 at 08:05 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Brian Prunka  
Quote: Originally posted by arsene  
Wow, I thought I was the only one who came across these horrible torture devices that pass as strings. I once got handed a set of Dadi strings by a "friend" who thought he'd give me an oud related gift... Stupidly enough, at the next string change I actually tried them, despite them already looking a bit dodgy. Well, I was lucky my oud survived! and the sound? Go to the kitchen and hit a can of beans with a spoon - you'll know.

@Brian Prunka & @Matthias - may I ask if you have any recommendations for turkish oud (58,8) with E F# BEAD tuning? I've been using La Bella so far, which were fine, but I feel I can get a bit more out of the sound of my oud, and want to try different strings. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

[EDIT] forgot to mention I have an Aquila (EABEAD) set lying around, would that be suitable even though I will string the A to F#? And is there anything different about stringing nylgut (different procedure or anything)? Thanks a lot!


I assume you're tuning the A down to F#, right? I would be inclined to use a C#F#Bead' set and substitute a different low string for the E.
Is your Aquila set the 5O (light tension) set? The light tension Aquila is safer for Turkish ouds, I think their "standard" tension is too high.

I really like the MusiCaravan strings, actually. The clear nylon Hank uses is very high quality and I think might work even better on a Turkish oud. His "Necati" set is for C#-d tuning.



Hi Brian,

are the MusiCaravan Necati Celik strings usually for Arabic ouds?

Is my delivery on the way to Cologne?;)

Brian Prunka - 9-25-2011 at 11:17 AM

Ali,

The Necati set is for Turkish ouds (hence the Turkish tuning). Your set was shipped on Friday the 22nd.

Usually shipping to Germany is about a week or so, though occasionally customs will delay shipments (usually when the shipment is more valuable).

cheers,
Brian


em.20 - 9-25-2011 at 11:40 AM

Thank you!;) Will wait for the strings so I can finally play my oud again.

arsene - 9-25-2011 at 12:47 PM

@ Brian

I have no idea how to see that, it doesn't say anywhere on the packge with tension (or which code, 1O or 5O)...

If I'd opt for a Musicaravan set, what string should I use for E that would go well with it? would labella or d'addario work?

Brian Prunka - 9-25-2011 at 08:31 PM

A .041 wound D'addario should work well for E on a Turkish oud.

em.20 - 9-26-2011 at 03:28 AM

Pyramid send me the corrected tension for their Turkish oud strings.

d´ = 3,0 kg
a = 3,0 kg
e = 4,8 kg
H = 4,0 kg
A = 4,8 kg
G = 6,0 kg

Average: 4,27 kg

If I would tune in C# F# B E A D the tension would be more lower, so there should be no problems, shouldn't it?

arsene - 9-26-2011 at 03:56 AM

Brian, many thanks!

Matthias - 9-26-2011 at 06:50 AM

Quote: Originally posted by em.20  
Pyramid send me the corrected tension for their Turkish oud strings.

d´ = 3,0 kg
a = 3,0 kg
e = 4,8 kg
H = 4,0 kg
A = 4,8 kg
G = 6,0 kg

Average: 4,27 kg

If I would tune in C# F# B E A D the tension would be more lower, so there should be no problems, shouldn't it?


there are then arising other problems:
some strings will have too low tensions.
Changing the tuning by one 1/2 note will change the tension by .3 Kg. you can calculate the result by yourself.

Matthias

em.20 - 9-27-2011 at 07:19 AM

Just now I stringed my oud with the Tirkish Oud Pyramid Strings...