Part 4: Oud Strings
Don’t let the prospect of buying a new set of strings stop you from getting into the Oud. Fortunately, there are many companies that manufacture Oud strings for all types of tunings and styles. Oud string also last a very long time and are not meant to be changed too often, but this is always a matter of personal preference.
Keep things simple and purchase Navid’s favorite set of Oud strings for Arabic Oud.
These days there is a wide range of prices and materials to choose from for Oud strings. If you want to go deep into the rabbit hole of Oud strings, then the best resource to find out everything about Oud strings in oudstrings.com.
But if you want to keep things simple, especially if you’re a beginner, just buy these strings.
On this site you will see many different brands and a few different types of materials:
Nylon
Nyglut
PVF
Nylon strings are the most commonly used Oud strings. There is regular nylon and there is rectified nylon strings. Some companies have created rectified nylon strings after finding that some plain nylon strings have created some tonality problems (ex. not sounding in tune). A rectified nylon string is normal nylon, except that it has been analyzed for segments which are too thick or uneven and ground down and shaped to perfection with special technology. This process is used for the high strings or treble strings. Bass strings are wound with a light metal like copper, silver, or nickel. Hence you will see terms like copper-wound, silver-wound, or nickel-wound. In these strings, thin strands of nylon are pulled and wound with above mentioned materials.
Nyglut strings are patented and produced only by Aquila strings. It is a material that claims to have all the benefits of nylon, PVF, and gut without being sensitive to the weather. Aquila Nyglut strings are the recommended string set for Ukuleles. Nylon strings are clear looking, whereas Nyglut is a murky white colour. The bass strings will either be sliver or copper wound.
PVF strings are another nylon substitute which is a fluorocarbon. You can typically find this material in fishing line. They make good Oud strings as well. They give a brighter tone than Nylons and Nygluts. They are also lighter and thinner than as well. They are worth a try, especially if you like a bright tone or play Turkish Oud.
In the end, it doesn’t matter what Oud strings you use because it is always up to your personal preference and what sound YOU are looking for. Also, one Oud may sound good with regular Nylon strings, where another may require a different set. It really takes some experimentation. A really good starter string set for Arabic Ouds is Pyramid Orange Label according to oudstrings.com.
String Gauges and Tensions
Without going into the physics of strings too deeply, there are a few general things to remember when buying strings and how to affects the sound your Oud makes.
String gauge refers to its thickness or diameter. Thicker strings are used for lower notes or bass notes. Thinner strings are used for higher strings or higher notes.
String tension refers to the weight exerted on the instrument. Heavy strings will have higher tension, lighter strings will have less tension. Heavy strings feel heavy. You will need slightly more finger strength to play them versus lighter strings. String tension is directly related to string thickness and density.
This is important for beginners because there is a difference between the gauge and tension requirements for Arabic and Turkish Ouds. Turkish Ouds are tuned higher than Arabic Ouds, so they use strings with a lower gauge, in other words, a thinner string, but put more tension in the string by tuning it higher. So when you put Turkish strings on an Arabic Oud which is slightly longer than a Turkish Oud and is tuned lower, the result is going to create strings that are too loose to resonate well with Arabic tuning. If you try to compensate by tuning your Arabic Oud to Turkish tuning you may put too much tension on the neck and soundboard that may eventually damage the Oud.
This is especially important if you have bought an inexpensive Oud. You want to be careful not to over exert it too much or it won’t last as long and it may be difficult to play.
What I like
I have been using Aquila Oud strings for a long time now and I think this sounds the best for my Oud. I like a warm sound that doesn’t sound too stringy so I prefer copper-wounds or else I can hear the sound of my fingers squeaking as I play vibrato on the lower bass strings.
However, I don’t recommend these strings, because they take a long time to settle. I recommend D’addario EJ95A string set for Arabic Oud.
What kind of strings do you imagine you would like? What is your experience with strings? I want to know. Feel free to share.
>> The next section will deal with something very important when learning the Oud, OUD PICKS. →
Photo credit: Joe Flintham on flickr
Am currently in the process of buying my first oud. I have chosen to buy an Arabic oud as I believe these are made with a thicker top?? Whereas the Turkish ouds have thinner tops and I feel that with Australia’s climate that it won’t last as long.
Finally I like the fact that the Arabic oud is tuned CFADgc. I play greek bouzouki with identical tuning (CFAD) and can’t wait to mix their sounds together!!
I Love making music! Learn an instrument today!
cheers
Hi Steve. I’ve just bought my own Arabic oud kumethra and I am also an Australian. Just curious, whereabouts are you based? I’m based in Melbourne.
Hi Pablo,
I’m based in Vancouver Canada. Greetings!
We have amazing ouds for sale for pics and sound files contact 0096170780223 via whatsapp preferably u won’t regret it
Thanks for your input. I wonder if there is an almost structured formula that relates a specific sound to a specific type of strings, for instance, warm sound = aquila strings, metallic = D’addario, etc.. Also perhaps a combination of two different brands and the use of silverplated wound on Nylon strings, NYL028W or 029W and the difference between those in sound.
Thank you,
Hadi
That is a good question.
I am wondering if they will ever invent flat wound strings for Oud. I think this would make intonation better and perhaps even smoother to play.
Can anyone tell me what type of oud Omar Bashir plays? Also on the video of love and peace it seems that all the strings on his oud are wound, is this right.
Most importantly can anyone tell what the tuning is on the oud he is playing?
I am an inexperienced beginner and would appreciate any guidance please!!!!!
Regards Stavros
I will look into it.
It is quite possible he used all wound strings, I have heard of them, but I don’t know the brand. I’ll get back to you.
Navid, are these the strings you use?
http://www.oudstrings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=1_4&product_id=1
Hi Pablo,
Yes, these are exactly what I use. I like them quite a lot.
Hi Navid,
Could you tell us what scale length you use this Aquila set on?
I’m trying to find the best fit on a 61.5cm Shehata apprentice Oud.
Thanks!
I use these Aquilas on my 61.5 cm Oud. They would work well on your Oud I think.
Hi,
I am saving money to buy an Oud made by Yildrim Palabiyik. The more I listened to Arabic Ouds the more I like the music. It is very conversational. Like talking to a friend. I love it. During the “saving money” process I want to know everything about the instrument, and how to play it, so I am ready to start when I get my Oud.Thanks for your very informed website.
Hi,
thanks this is helpful information about strings.
what do you thinks about LaBella oud strings.? would appreciate some insight.
thanks!
wael
I like La Bella strings.