Does the out-of-tuneness jar or does it sound like typical Middle Eastern music (i.e. a little "oriental")? I'm pretty sure the original saz neck had frets for notes that are between the western tempered scale, correct?
Jangle_JamieScottish HighlandsNewDe Rijk, some Gitanes and quite a few others
Posts: 256
Yes I think so, but mine now has a mini guitar neck attached! I've started cranking the pitch up a bit, and it's improving. I was a bit concerned about my minimal bracing and the strength of the Argentines, but it's ok so far. Photos and video to follow.
Sorry, what I was trying to imply was that some of the original notes might have been a quarter or half step out of pitch. With the new guitar neck, you move to the tempered scale but perhaps the little bending you are talking about gets you back to the original saz tuning notes in places?
Saz necks have tied on frets and some of them do fall between the half step intervals we use in Western music. Saz players don't bend notes on the frets like you hear with sitar though.
IMO the strings are bending out of tune because there isn't enough tension on them at such a short scale. If you want to tune to standard pitch I'd try some 13's, if not larger, and see how that works out.
Jangle_JamieScottish HighlandsNewDe Rijk, some Gitanes and quite a few others
Posts: 256
Thanks for the suggestions!!! I've been out in the hills today so not managed to play it/tweak it/photograph it etc yet. Hopefully tomorrow. You're right Jason, I need to be tuning it up a fifth I reckon. The strings are coming off and I'm going to file the frets down a bit. They're very high at the mo. The other issue is that the tuning machines are horrible!! - the strings don't go through holes but just rest in slots - is that common on electric guitars? I will be looking for some replacements (or might poach my Peavey Predator electric machine heads).
Is there a hole in the middle? On that style of electric tuner you poke the string down in the hole and then wrap it using the slots, if that makes sense. That's how Fender tuners usually are.
Comments
Only one way to find out!
Does the out-of-tuneness jar or does it sound like typical Middle Eastern music (i.e. a little "oriental")? I'm pretty sure the original saz neck had frets for notes that are between the western tempered scale, correct?
Yes I think so, but mine now has a mini guitar neck attached! I've started cranking the pitch up a bit, and it's improving. I was a bit concerned about my minimal bracing and the strength of the Argentines, but it's ok so far. Photos and video to follow.
Sorry, what I was trying to imply was that some of the original notes might have been a quarter or half step out of pitch. With the new guitar neck, you move to the tempered scale but perhaps the little bending you are talking about gets you back to the original saz tuning notes in places?
Either way, interesting project.
Bill has a good point. Look at it as a feature, a microtonal instrument.
Saz necks have tied on frets and some of them do fall between the half step intervals we use in Western music. Saz players don't bend notes on the frets like you hear with sitar though.
IMO the strings are bending out of tune because there isn't enough tension on them at such a short scale. If you want to tune to standard pitch I'd try some 13's, if not larger, and see how that works out.
Thanks for the suggestions!!! I've been out in the hills today so not managed to play it/tweak it/photograph it etc yet. Hopefully tomorrow. You're right Jason, I need to be tuning it up a fifth I reckon. The strings are coming off and I'm going to file the frets down a bit. They're very high at the mo. The other issue is that the tuning machines are horrible!! - the strings don't go through holes but just rest in slots - is that common on electric guitars? I will be looking for some replacements (or might poach my Peavey Predator electric machine heads).
Is there a hole in the middle? On that style of electric tuner you poke the string down in the hole and then wrap it using the slots, if that makes sense. That's how Fender tuners usually are.