I'm thinking about getting back into fretted instruments again. The Trinity College 'zouk looks like a good "get the feet wet" way to start without breaking the bank.
So the question is. . .
How hard would it be to change the lower courses to unison pairing rather than octave pairing?
IE, do I need a new bridge and nut to get the action and intonation to work?
Sorry for answering without a real answer but:
I found myself in such a situation so many times that ended buying a set of nut files. Maybe I'll just use them a few times in my life, but I think they've been a good buy.
I am sure the TC instruments vary widely, but the nut and the bridge both needed to be replaced on my TC OM which I am still using. The nut was no good, DOA, and a nice bone nut fixed that problem. The bridge was made of some ratty polymer that the "e" strings ate their way into over the course of a couple of years. It was not compensated for the wound "a" strings that I use so I built a new one with a bone insert for the e strings. Now I occasionally think of moving up to a better instrument, but the TC is at least built with good top wood, and it keeps sounding better. My advice: buy it and replace the bridge and nut if you must...it's still a good deal.
Yep, it does depend of the instrument.....But before you change anything stick on the unison strings anyway and see how the fit. No need to use too heavy a string type..
Where abouts do you live Worm as I was looking at a Zouk cost about £120 from a bloke in the borders TC type and very good value it was too ,If you want more details drop us a line .
If he's asking about a TC 'zouk, chances are he's in the States.
Quick answer - you can always do a slot widening with less sophisticated tools, providing you go carefully.
As I always say, these instruments can be improved markedly by fitting a Red-Henry-pattern bridge and a heavier brass tailpiece.
Personally I like the octave stringing, both for accompaniment and tune-playing, but this is a personal taste, there are no rules in ITM 'zouk-playing, it's not been around long-enough for there to be an established tradition.
Quick tech questions about TC Bouzoukis. . .
Quick tech questions about TC Bouzoukis. . .
I'm thinking about getting back into fretted instruments again. The Trinity College 'zouk looks like a good "get the feet wet" way to start without breaking the bank.
So the question is. . .
How hard would it be to change the lower courses to unison pairing rather than octave pairing?
IE, do I need a new bridge and nut to get the action and intonation to work?
Thanks much,
Worm
# Posted on May 12th 2009 by wormdiet
Re: Quick tech questions about TC Bouzoukis. . .
Sorry for answering without a real answer but:
I found myself in such a situation so many times that ended buying a set of nut files. Maybe I'll just use them a few times in my life, but I think they've been a good buy.
# Posted on May 12th 2009 by Ramiro
Re: Quick tech questions about TC Bouzoukis. . .
I am sure the TC instruments vary widely, but the nut and the bridge both needed to be replaced on my TC OM which I am still using. The nut was no good, DOA, and a nice bone nut fixed that problem. The bridge was made of some ratty polymer that the "e" strings ate their way into over the course of a couple of years. It was not compensated for the wound "a" strings that I use so I built a new one with a bone insert for the e strings. Now I occasionally think of moving up to a better instrument, but the TC is at least built with good top wood, and it keeps sounding better. My advice: buy it and replace the bridge and nut if you must...it's still a good deal.
# Posted on May 12th 2009 by justjim
Re: Quick tech questions about TC Bouzoukis. . .
Yep, it does depend of the instrument.....But before you change anything stick on the unison strings anyway and see how the fit. No need to use too heavy a string type..
# Posted on May 12th 2009 by seaniemcg
Re: Quick tech questions about TC Bouzoukis. . .
Where abouts do you live Worm as I was looking at a Zouk cost about £120 from a bloke in the borders TC type and very good value it was too ,If you want more details drop us a line .
# Posted on May 12th 2009 by bazouki dave
Re: Quick tech questions about TC Bouzoukis. . .
If he's asking about a TC 'zouk, chances are he's in the States.
Quick answer - you can always do a slot widening with less sophisticated tools, providing you go carefully.
As I always say, these instruments can be improved markedly by fitting a Red-Henry-pattern bridge and a heavier brass tailpiece.
Personally I like the octave stringing, both for accompaniment and tune-playing, but this is a personal taste, there are no rules in ITM 'zouk-playing, it's not been around long-enough for there to be an established tradition.
# Posted on May 13th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Quick tech questions about TC Bouzoukis. . .
I'm in Vermont.
# Posted on May 13th 2009 by wormdiet