ibn sina - 6-27-2009 at 03:46 PM
Currently the D strings are buzzing a lot when I play it in the open position. It seems to be tuned OK. The strings were changed a week or so ago. Why
do the strings buzz? It's driving me nuts.
Any suggestions?
Kiki
oudtab - 6-28-2009 at 04:31 AM
Hi,
I think you can check these points :
- Space between the double chords is not sufficient
- Slot in nut too deep
- Strings action too low
- Strings too light
- Fingerboard not planed
ibn sina - 6-28-2009 at 04:42 PM
Thanks, I found two strings touching and it helped for a while when I separated them. Still a lot of buzzing though.
siro - 6-29-2009 at 02:54 PM
hi
what is your string?(what mark)
Dr. Oud - 6-30-2009 at 01:35 AM
check the pegbox for strings crossing over each other or touching - mute the string with your finger while plucking to see if it stops. There shoud be
at lease 0.5mm (1/32 inch) clearance between the strings and the fingerboard at the top nut. Might be a loose brace - touch the face in different
spots while plucking to see if the buzzing changes or stops.
siro - 6-30-2009 at 01:49 AM
hi dear richard
sometimes bad string or new string is the reason of buzzing speacialy in open position,what do you think dear richard usta?
ibn sina - 6-30-2009 at 07:52 AM
The strings are Pyramid orange (made in Germany, bought in Cairo).
Dr. Oud - 6-30-2009 at 10:02 AM
While it's true that sometimes new strings might cause buzzing, this is usually due to a change in the tension which is determined by the gauge if the
string. Not knowing what strings ibn sina had used before changing them with the Pyramid strings, it's difficult to determine if this is the problem.
If Ibn Sina could measure the old and new strings with a micrometer or string gauge just to isolate this cause. It's rare but possible that a new
string will buzz due to faulty manufacture, but Pyramid strings have a high quality standard, so I doubt this is the problem. Also he says both D
strings are buzzing, so manufacturing fault is less likely on both strings. I suspect a loose brace that is resonant with the pitch of the D strings.
It may not have buzzed before due to a weaker tension string or different pitch of the old string. Pyramid strings tend to have a bit higher tension
that other brands.
siro - 6-30-2009 at 11:41 AM
if the pyramid string is original,i think richard is right, you must check the rossetes too,sometimes loose rossetes is as same as loose
brace(resonant with the pitch of the string)
ibn sina - 7-1-2009 at 05:11 AM
Thanks, everybody. My oud had the same strings on it a long time, as it sat in the closet for the first 1 1/2 yr. after I returned from Cairo. I
started playing it in Jan. It had the original Pyramid (I guess, whatever the shop in Cairo put on it) strings. Then recently the strings were changed
for new Pyramid strings. The oud has no rosette. Where is the brace? (Inside?) The buzzing seems to be at the bottom (bridge end) of the oud.
A loose brace does sound possible.
Kiki (she, not he, but I didn't tell you...)
Marcus - 7-1-2009 at 05:26 AM
Hi,
you wrote the buzz is at the bottom.......
Did you cut the ends of the strings after put new ones on?
I had a buzz which comes just from to long string-ends that touches the soundboard.
Good luck with getting buzzless!!
Marcus
rojaros - 7-1-2009 at 06:54 AM
Did you check the string loops on the bridge, sometimes they can buzz too, if they are too loose?
Sometimes it helps to twist the string a bit so that the winding gets tighter.
Also with the d strings sometimes the string cuts through the winding close to the bridge; when the winding is harmed it may cause buzz. If you have
more string on the peg yyou can shift it a bit towards the bridge...
best wishes
Robert
ibn sina - 7-1-2009 at 11:21 AM
Also, this oud has a floating bridge.
Thanks for all the suggestions. Please keep on with more.
best, Kiki