Alan-TX
Oud Junkie
Posts: 118
Registered: 2-18-2008
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What strings do you use on 58.5cm Scale length Ouds for Arabic tuning?
What strings sets do you guys use that have 58.5 cm scale length ouds for Arabic tuning? I am going to try out an oud with this scale length and am
not sure what to put on it. Something kind of medium tension would be best for me.
Arabic tuning meaning
CFADGC
Thanks!
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Dr. Oud
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1370
Registered: 12-18-2002
Location: Sacramento, CA, USA
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Mood: better than before
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With due respect, string tension is relative to the structure and stiffness of the oud, not a personal preference. This string length is close to
Turkish size ouds, but tuning a step lower may or may not lose tone and balance. It depends on several factors: the age of the oud, stiffness of the
soundboard, if it a glued/fixed bridge or floating bridge. I always recommend using the lightest gauge strings that produce acceptable tone, balanced
volume across the strings, and don't buzz or rattle. Higher tension (large diameter/gauge) can sometimes cause failure of the bridge glue joint,
sometimes this damages the face, occasionally pulling a portion of the face out. The effect of changing string gauges is not predictable, I would
suggest you try a Turkish set and see if it sounds ok. If not, increase the gauge slightly. The high tension strings are ok for floating bridge ouds
but should not be used on a fixed/glued bridge without risk.
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Brian Prunka
Oud Junkie
Posts: 2955
Registered: 1-30-2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY
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Just to add to Richard's excellent points, the treble strings on available Turkish oud sets are without exception too light to be used in Arabic
tuning on ouds of less than 60cm string length.
For 58.5 cm, the standard Pyramid #650 set is usually pretty good. It is made for 61cm but I find that the tension is a little higher than ideal at
that length, and it works better on shorter ouds.
You can also use the LaBella OU80A "Arabic" set and discard the high f'f' course and add a low C; .043 would be a good starting point for that string
length.
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Matthias
Oud Junkie
Posts: 473
Registered: 1-24-2007
Location: Badenweiler, Germany
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Hello,
this set will be an option:
http://music-strings.de/navi.php?a=9937&lang=eng&
Best regards
Matthias
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Alan-TX
Oud Junkie
Posts: 118
Registered: 2-18-2008
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Thanks for the replies everyone. I will try out the standard pyramid set for starters.
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Brian Prunka
Oud Junkie
Posts: 2955
Registered: 1-30-2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY
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Mood: Stringish
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Tension is inversely correlated to string length: the same set gets lighter tension on a shorter oud.
Mari's set is light tension, probably a bit too light on 58.5cm.
D'addario strings are fine, but you would want to calculate individual strings for that scale/tuning/tension.
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