FLIPAX
Oud Junkie
Posts: 311
Registered: 10-13-2009
Location: Dubai, U.A.E
Member Is Offline
Mood: Bayyati Shuri.....
|
|
Difference Between 58.5cm or 62cm Oud
Hi!
I need some help regarding about string length of an oud. Which is from Nut To Bridge.
My oud is 58.5cm Currently Using Labella Strings
Im tuned C F A D G C
Fixed Bridge/Traditional
How does it affects on the tension of the strings?
Does a shorter length scale oud handles more tension from strings or the other way around?
Which is more Likely to be destroyed by a Higher tension strings the 58cm or the 62cm?
Is the String set is Likely looser in a longer scale Oud? Or Vice Versa?
Sorry about this Im a beginner and I want to change my strings. I just dont like to have any damages for the future to come.
It sounds like a dumb question. Bare with me Guys!
Shoukran
Greetings from Dubai
Philip
Shalom my friends
BTW Can I Change My Strings To Turkish Set? Tuned To arabic. Can Be also Turkish? Im Having 58.5com String
Length. Please Help....
|
|
|
Brian Prunka
Oud Junkie
Posts: 2956
Registered: 1-30-2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Stringish
|
|
All things being equal (strings, pitch, etc.), a longer string length will produce increased tension.
Someone else can probably give you a way of calculating the change.
So if you had strings that worked on a 58 cm scale, then on a 60 cm scale, with the same tuning you would be putting more tension on the oud.
The diameter of the string is not the only factor in calculating tension, especially in wound strings--the composition of wound strings varies a great
deal, resulting in different tensions for the same diameter.
The Labella 'Turkish' set is good for Arabic Tuning on longer scale ouds, but on a 58.5 cm scale, it may be somewhat loose. On such a short scale and
using Arabic C-c tuning, you could probably use any brand of strings without worrying about too much tension.
I have an old oud thats 61 cm, and I have to be very careful to use low-tension strings.
|
|
|
jdowning
Oud Junkie
Posts: 3485
Registered: 8-2-2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Not a dumb question Philip!
Brian is correct in stating that - all else remaining unchanged - increasing the string length will increase the string tension.
Marin Mersenne in his "L'Harmonie Universelle", Paris 1627, was first to publish the laws relating to a vibrating string.
He found that the frequency of vibration is dependent upon the string length, the string tension and the mass (weight) of the string per unit
length.
The mathematical relationship and its derivation can be found on Wikipedia at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibrating_string
So from this equation it can be seen that string tension is proportional to the string length squared (ie a small increase in length results in a much
larger proportional increase in string tension) - all else being equal.
Also - as we all know from practical experience of tuning an oud - increasing the tension of a string, raises the pitch or frequency - all else being
equal.
Likewise a 'heavier' string will lower the fundamental frequency of vibration (and a 'lighter' string will raise it).
|
|
|
FLIPAX
Oud Junkie
Posts: 311
Registered: 10-13-2009
Location: Dubai, U.A.E
Member Is Offline
Mood: Bayyati Shuri.....
|
|
Thanks Jdowning
You are The Man!
I wish you all a very healthy long life!!
Normally which Gauges/diameter you use On C F A D g c?
Can anybody share their gauges you are using?
Philip
|
|
|
Microber
Oud Junkie
Posts: 853
Registered: 1-20-2006
Location: Belgium - Liège
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Hello Philip,
I have a Turkish oud (Sandi) with a scale length of 58,5 cm that I use with an Arabic tuning (C GG AA dd gg cc). Nearly the same as you.
When I bought it, it had Labella ou80 strings for Turkish tuning.
When i first try to tune it a step lower, strings were too lose. Then I go back to turkish tuning and play like that.
Later when i change the strings i use the spare set of Labella the seller gave me. As they were new, arabic tuning was ok.
The next brand i use were Aquila nylgut for Arabic tuning (type 3) in normal tension. It was also good but i find that the AA string is sometime a
little 'tern'. I don't know if other members of the forum had the same feeling.
Now it's time to change once again. I had a contact with Matthias Wagner. He advices me either to use the same Aquila or one of the sets of Pyramid
Lute strings he made especially for the oud. That's what i finally choose.
I am waiting for the strings. Probably next week.
To be continued.
Robert
|
|
|
jdowning
Oud Junkie
Posts: 3485
Registered: 8-2-2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Philip, your original inquiry about string tension vs string length has now moved on to a much more complex question - i.e. what is the best string
combination for your particular oud that sounds best (to your ear and playing technique)?. Impossible for anyone to answer - only you can find the
solution by experimentation with different brands of strings.
Microber shows the way forward by example - but what is 'good' for Microber's oud (or the ouds of other oud players) may not necessarily be good for
you!
|
|
|
Sazi
Oud Junkie
Posts: 786
Registered: 9-17-2007
Location: Behind my oud
Member Is Offline
Mood: مبتهج ; ))
|
|
For instance, I once had two Turkish ouds, both 58.5, with laBella strings ou80, I wanted Turkish tuning but one oud was fine, the other was too
tight!! I had to use Arabic tuning on it!
|
|
|
FLIPAX
Oud Junkie
Posts: 311
Registered: 10-13-2009
Location: Dubai, U.A.E
Member Is Offline
Mood: Bayyati Shuri.....
|
|
Quote: Originally posted by Sazi  | | For instance, I once had two Turkish ouds, both 58.5, with laBella strings ou80, I wanted Turkish tuning but one oud was fine, the other was too
tight!! I had to use Arabic tuning on it! |
Thanks Sazi!
wishing all the Best,
Philip
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbprobrown/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
