Jonathan
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7 course ouds
A million questions on this topic, but, for starters:
is it usually 13 strings with an extended range in the treble? Or, extended in the bass?
Would two treble strings add more tension to the oud than one single bass string?
If the 7th course is used to extend the bottom range, does the "regular" bass string (E for Turkish, D for Arabic) generally remain a single string
(so, 12 strings total), or is it usually doubled (13 strings, and a ton of extra pressure on the oud, I am guessing).
Finally, where do you pick up stings for the extended range?
Thanks, guys.
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katakofka
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the 7th string is usually for the treble. for example you tune it C-FF-AA-DD-gg-cc-ff and for that the 0.022 or 0.024 gauge nylon strings from
daddario works . Alternatively, I have tried A-EE-AA-DD-gg-cc-ff when playing on A but in both cases the 7th strings is for ff. I have also tried
D-AA-DD-gg-cc-ff-bb flat getting the 0.019 from daddario (daddario goes till 0.018) for the bb flat but it was really bad i didn't like the tone at
all.
When thinking about a 7 string the oud must be solid to handle the extra tension derived from the ff strings. I have two 7 strings ouds both have a
brace under the bridge directly I imagine this makes the oud handling the tension
hope this is helpfull
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MatthewW
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Hi Jonathan- I also use the 7th string in the trebles, I believe this is the most common usage with this set up. I tune, from low to high,
C,FF,AA,DD,gg,cc,ff.
It's like having both the bass C to treble cc common form of Arabic tuning as well as the FF to ff form of Iraqi tuning in one oud. For strings you
can order 13 string sets, but I have been usuing mainly either Pyramid or Aquila standard Arabic sets, and then just adding the d''addario high ff
trebles as Souheil mentions above.
13 strings is no problem for a well made oud with proper bracing. Do you plan to make one? regards, MW
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Jonathan
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Thanks, guys. A lot.
I do have one old 7 course oud, and that has an additional set of treble strings.
But, on the most recent oud that I completed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leqt9vzOgvk
I had, in the beginning, planned on making a seven course oud. The neck is a bit wider throughout to allow for this. But, somewhere midway through
the process, I started getting cold feet and decided to settle for a traditional 11 string oud. Now, I am kicking myself a bit, and am considering
making some changes to allow it to become a 7 course oud. The oud is very solid, and, while I did use traditional Turkish bracing (there is not a
brace directly under the bridge), I do think it can stand up to added tension.
I guess I am leaning toward adding a pair of trebles on the top. But, I was also toying with the idea of adding just a single bass string below the
single bass string that is already there (not doubling the current bottom string).
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katakofka
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Yes...I've seen C-F-AA-DD-gg-cc-ff, a single F string not a double one. Very feasible tho
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Jonathan
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I like the single F idea, because I suspect those double FFs can get sort of clangy. And, would add just a tone of pressure.
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katakofka
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Tawardros oud as well as Charbel rouhana's 7 courses strings are with a single F string not double
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norumba
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My Faik Fadel 7 course also has a single low F. I also am in love with the 7 course oud concept, dont think ill ever go back to a 6 course. Next oud
i get , though, i'll want a full 13 string.
while we're on the subject, though, if any wants to post pegbox photos of their 7 course ouds, that would be great --- im wondering how people are
stringing them...
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katakofka
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This is the way Fadi Matta is doing the 7 strings display in the pegbox
f1, c1, g1..etc are the lower strings f2 c2 g2 the uppers
[file]12341[/file]
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FLIPAX
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HI! Jonathan!
Your #4 Oud Birds Eye Maple Looks Amazing!
Thumbs Up!
U2U me about the prices of your oud. Thanks
Quote: Originally posted by Jonathan  | | But, I was also toying with the idea of adding just a single bass string below the single bass string that is already there (not doubling the current
bottom string). |
also..... I have 7 course and I Used 2 Single bass on the bottom.
C F AA DD gg cc ff and so i Can change My Bass Easily.
Very Practical . You Can Make Fast Changes on your bottoms. Just In a Matter of Seconds! 
kindest regards
Philip
Every time I Hear The Oud, I fall into a Deep Long Trance of Perpetual Bliss!
"Naseem Al Rooh"
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MatthewW
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| Quote: Originally posted by norumba | | while we're on the subject, though, if any wants to post pegbox photos of their 7 course ouds, that would be great --- im wondering how people are
stringing them... |
On Nazih Ghadban's 13 string model 'Sada El Rouh' he breaks with tradition and uses a two tier pegbox. The pegbox is shorter. Here is a photo of one
way of stringing 13 strings with this peg box- 4 upper tier ( currently for high ff and AA) and 9 lower tier though I have tried other variants.
[file]12367[/file]
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katakofka
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Mathew: why the display is like that. No common sense to me. Any particular reason??
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MatthewW
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Souheil- it does look confusing in the photo, and this was a string set up used by another owner of another 'Sada El Rouh'. I originaly tried using
this stringing pattern but during the course of changing strings over time I now use this one: *lower tier pegs facing away from player, your left
side if you are looking at the photo above-, from nut end-
high cc, then DD, then Low C ( 5 pegs);
{in the photo above you'll see that this tier is strung cc,gg,single C};
*lower tier pegs facing player, from nut: gg, FF ( 4 pegs);
*upper tier pegs facing away from player, your left side, high ff ( two pegs) same stringing used in photo above;
*upper tier facing towards player- AA ( 2 pegs). I think you need to see it in person to understand what it's all about. If you draw it out on a piece
of paper it may make more sense...or I'll just come visit you with it, book me a room bud! 
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