I've got this new oud and it plays and sounds pretty good except one thing. The D course, or I should say the third course from the highest in pitch as well as the other lower pitch courses(to a lesser degree) has fingerboard buzz. It's not bad when playing soft but gets annoying as hell when playing more aggressively. I temporarily fixed the issue with paper to raise the strings at the nut but I want to make a permanent change. A number of thoughts crossed my mind but before I do anything structural I wanted to see what you all thought about this. It is a turkish oud tuned to the lower arabic tuning and the strings are fairly light so the tension is low. Do you think If I buy some heavier strings that it may help the problem? I don't want to tune to the higher turkish tuning because it would make it much more difficult to play with other musicians.
I know I read a post from Carmine that he is using D addario oud strings and he likes them for their higher tension. What about the rest of you guys?
I know I read a post from Carmine that he is using D addario oud strings and he likes them for their higher tension. What about the rest of you guys?
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Charlotte
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Re: strings
Sun, May 11, 2008 - 7:29 PMYou might want to post your question on mikeouds form. They have a project form and some luthiers post there. -
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Re: strings
Sun, May 11, 2008 - 7:30 PMForgot to post the link www.mikeouds.com/messageboard/
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Re: strings
Wed, May 14, 2008 - 8:31 AMIs the nut slot cut too deeply or is the fingerboard not level? These are the two most common causes of buzz, at least in my experience.
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Re: strings
Fri, May 16, 2008 - 11:33 PMLaBella strings are softer.. Maybe you can try a pack of those before you do something physical :) I think there is a "juststrings.com" or something who has them.
The D'Addario's are VERY twangy at first.. they need a month before they sound nice and even. -
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Re: strings
Sat, May 17, 2008 - 1:26 PMThe strings that came with the instrument are very light gauge. They have a bright and very nice sound but the tension is low when tuned like an arabic oud which I think makes the issue worse.
That said, I believe the slot is cut too deeply but I thought that higher gauge strings, with higher tension might not buzz as much. Of course if that doesn't work I will fill the slot some to raise the string a bit. I think the finger board is flat as far as I can tell by sighting it so I doubt that is the issue. We'll see.
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Re: strings
Sat, May 17, 2008 - 1:28 PMOne more question. I looked into D'addario's but they advertise a different tuning on the package, do they make more than one oud string? -
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Re: strings
Mon, May 19, 2008 - 6:56 AMHi -
I've also had some real problematic string issues (too long and a little too OT for this thread), and ended up calling GHS Strings, spoke with a technician there who was most helpful. If you call them, be sure to have your string gauge measurements handy.
You can get individual strings at Juststrings.com or sometimes direct from the mfg.
BTW - I never could get to speak to a human at D'Addario - I left voice mail a coupla times but they never called back.
Good luck
Rutger -
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Re: strings
Fri, August 8, 2008 - 8:44 AMI've got both of my Ouds set up with Aquila light tension strings (DGAdgc) -- I think they have a really nice and earthy tone.... I've also tried Pyramid strings and I like those too... but it takes a while for them to settle (lots of string string buzz till they break in)
I've buy my strings from Khalaf lutheiery and have been really happy with thier service
www.khalafoud.com/aquilastrings.htm
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