Greek strings on Irish Bouzouki?

Subject: Greek strings on Irish Bouzouki?
From: GUEST,LellyBelly
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 07:13 AM

Hiya,

I recently bought a second hand Trinity College zouk, and thought I would try it with D'Addario J97 Greek bouzouki strings. I LOVE the sound of them, but am wondering if anyone out there knows if there is a good reason NOT to do this? The strings are designed to be tuned C-F-A-D, but I have them at G-D-A-D. I am pretty clueless re. string tension weights etc, and play by ear rather than by chord knowledge, in fact, ANY knowledge whatsoever!!! Any advice is much appreciated!!

Subject: RE: Greek strings on Irish Bouzouki?
From: GUEST,Ian cookieless
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 08:39 AM

This thread might help, LellyBelly. Ian

Subject: RE: Greek strings on Irish Bouzouki?
From: GUEST,Chicken Charlie
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 10:28 AM

LellyBelly--

I have done a comparable thing, stringing a "cuatro" like a Florentine mandolin (CCGGDDAAEE). (I discovered that there is a very good reason why cuatros aren't strung that way, but it's because your left hand gets sore from reaching; it's nothing to do with the strings.)

First off, don't let anybody tell you you shouldn't do this; if it sounds good to you, stay with it.

Second, I don't know enough about strings either, but I have found a lutier who does know enough. (Not every self-labelled lutier does.) I just told Alex what I wanted and he did the mechanical part of figuring out the strings. First time, he gave me the envelopes the strings came in, stapled together in order so I knew what to use for replacements.

I know good strings will stand being tuned a little higher than the package says. Crudely, if you haven't broken any so far, you're probably OK. Otherwise, go to a good music store & check with the repair gurus.

Besides, now you can play the theme from O'Zorba. :)

Chicken Charlie

Subject: RE: Greek strings on Irish Bouzouki?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 10:57 AM

Hi Lellybelly,

I have a Trinity Zouk that I tune to GDAD as well. Gotta love the drones. I use mostly banjo strings on mine. I have a set of Greek Strings that I got with the Zouk. A gift from my wife last Christmas and Elderly added the strings. Cindy asked for reccomend on a set of strings and thats what Elderly sent.

Let me know what you find. If you are new to this machine as am I lets swap info. I have a ton of stuff and a great video or two.

Don

Subject: RE: Greek strings on Irish Bouzouki?
From: GUEST,Jonny Sunshine
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 11:14 AM

The lower two courses would be a fair bit lower than their intended pitches, which might give you tuning problems, especially with the octave strings. But there's no reason why you shouldn't give a try.

Subject: RE: Greek strings on Irish Bouzouki?
From: michaelr
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 01:46 AM

There is a relation between scale length, string tension, and tone. I recommend asking your question on the Yahoo cittern or bouzouki lists. Lots of knowledgeable folks there, pro players as well as builders, and they can point you to a string tension calculator that will suggest the best string weights to use with your scale and tuning.

Cheers,
Michael