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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.
Yes, a hole in the middle of the tuners. Ooops, I didn't know you poke the string in there and get winding! The prob was more to do with the lack of any angle of the headstock, so the low E was barely resting on the nut. Solved by drilling a hole through the post and re-routing the string. These photos were before I did a couple of mods - took some height off the frets and gave a nice polish. I've tuned it up 3 tones now and it's a lot easier to get it sounding in tune across the whole range. It will probably go to 4 up but I'm just letting everything settle down. I'll then lower the action a little (I've made an ebony bridge insert which sits on top of the Bigtone in a slot in the bridge. Tone is quite pleasing - like a soft banjo. The recording is the Saz for the chords and meIody. I present my.. Sazz Manouche:
Nice man! I love that bridge design. Very cool project I've had fun following along
Amazing. The Douce rendition put a smile on my face. So do you play in the G- position but the way it's tuned up, you end up playing it in Bb-? It sounds great, really does.