How do I choose strings for a custom set?

I want to make a custom set of strings, using Pyramid, La Bella or some other mix of strings. What strings should I pick? 

While the exact string choices require doing a bit of math to match the tension, tuning and size of your oud, you can make a rough guess using the following suggestions based on my years of designing custom sets. If you're not sure, it's always better to err on the side of getting a lighter set, since a heavy set can damage your oud. 

Arabic Ouds:

• Use lighter strings for longer ouds, and heavier strings for shorter ouds. Ouds range from 57-64cm, the median is 60cm.

• Use heavier strings for floating bridge "Bashir" style ouds, lighter strings for fixed bridge "classic" or "sharqi" ouds.

• Use lighter strings for antique ouds (Pre-1970).

• Use heavier strings if you are tuning down.

Here are some ranges that we've found to work well on most ouds. 

Remember: if your oud is long/antique, go lower, if it's short or floating bridge (or both), go higher.

• high f': .018-.023in (.400-.575mm) nylon, or .44-.52mm nylgut (Aquila), or .38-.48mm carbon (PVF - Pyramid).

• high c': .024-.028in (.600-.700mm) nylon, or .58-.64mm nylgut (Aquila), or .50-.59mmcarbon (PVF - Pyramid)

• plain g: .028-.033in (.725-.850mm) nylon, or .70-.79mm nylgut (Aquila), or .63-.74mm carbon (PVF - Pyramid)

• plain d: .038-.041 nylon (.95-1.07mm) nylon, or .97-1.04mm nylgut (Aquila), or .83-.95mm carbon (PVF- Pyramid or Savarez)

• wound d: .022-.025 wound (La Bella or D'addario), or 1008/9085/10085/1009/10095/1010/10105/1011/1111/1012 (Pyramid - listed lightest to heaviest)

• wound A: .027-.031 wound (La Bella or D'addario), or 1016/1116/1017/1018/1019 (Pyramid - listed lightest to heaviest)

• wound G: .030-.033 wound (La Bella or D'addario), or 1018/1019/1020/1021/1022 (Pyramid - listed lightest to heaviest)

• wound F: .031-.034 wound (La Bella or D'addario), or 1020/1021/1022/1023/1024 (Pyramid - listed lightest to heaviest)

• wound D: .040-.042 wound (La Bella or D'addario), or 1030/1031/1032/1033/1034/1035 (Pyramid - listed lightest to heaviest)

• wound C: .042-.044 wound (La Bella or D'addario), or 1035/1236/1237/1238/1239/1440 (Pyramid - listed lightest to heaviest)

Turkish Ouds:


• All modern Turkish ouds are the same size: 58.5cm.

• Use heavier strings on the lower courses if you are using "modern" tuning (C# F# B e a d').

• Use lighter strings on the lower courses if you are using the 'old' tuning (D G B e a d').

Some ranges:

• high d': .022-.024in (.550-.625mm), or .50-.56mm nylgut (Aquila), or .50-.54mm carbon (PVF)

• high a: .028-.029in (.700-.800mm), or .64-.70mm nylgut (Aquila), or .63-.68mm carbon (PVF)

• wound e: .022-.025in wound (La Bella or D'addario), or 1007/908/10075/1008/9085/909/10085/1009 (Pyramid - listed lightest to heaviest)

• wound B: .027-.030in wound (La Bella or D'addario), or 1014/1114/1015 (Pyramid - listed lightest to heaviest)

• wound A: .028-.031in wound (La Bella or D'addario), or 1116/1017/1018/1019 (Pyramid - listed lightest to heaviest)

• wound E: .040-.042in wound (La Bella or D'addario), or 1027/1028/1029 (Pyramid - listed lightest to heaviest)

• wound F#: .032-.034in wound (La Bella or D'addario), or 1024/1025/1124 (Pyramid - listed lightest to heaviest)

• wound C#: .042-.044in wound (La Bella or D'addario), or 1236/1237/1238/1239 (Pyramid - listed lightest to heaviest)

• wound B: .043-.045in wound (La Bella or D'addario), or 1239/1240/1440/1441/1142 (Pyramid - listed lightest to heaviest)

Electric Ouds (solid body):

• Use heavier strings on electric ouds. You can use the heavier range for the tunings above, or go even a bit heavier.

• Godin Multioud can use very heavy strings.

• Sukar should use moderately heavy strings.

• Najarian should use moderately heavy strings.