How I Install New Kora Strings | Kora Conversion Process Sneak Peek
Рет қаралды 3,341
2 жыл бұрынIn this video, I show how I tie new strings on a kora that is being converted from traditional konso rings to machine tuners.
There are many great kora builders out there. And there are also many, many traditional koras that have become unplayable for one reason or another. Usually the traditional konso become brittle and no longer work, and the kora usually transitions to either art hanging on a wall, or a relic collecting dust in a corner somewhere. Or it gets donated to someone like me!
I'm developing a system to turn these koras back into playable instruments, affordably and easily. They are easy to tune (mechanically and ergonomically), easy to re-string, lightweight, and use as many of the original components as possible.
This video is one small step in the process ;)
@johnnyasv8772 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you
@polypx Жыл бұрын
Am I right in thinking we need to get quite a few rotations on the machine heads so that the string doesn't snap when you tighten it? Especially on the higher/thinner strings?
@willridenour Жыл бұрын
In my experience, string breakage has little or nothing to do with number of rotations on the tuner rods; it's all about tension / using a correctly-sized string for the desired note. It's tricky!
@polypx Жыл бұрын
@@willridenour I see, thank you for your advice!
@doulaye50 Жыл бұрын
Thank you. Can i ask you what is the size (mm) that you use for each string ?
@willridenour Жыл бұрын
Sure. Here's a full list with LB test, inches, and mm for others who might have the same question. I use 7 sizes of Berkley Trilene Big Game brand fishing line; which size I use for which string depends on the note I need considering the length of the string. You need the right tension, very tight, but not too tight to break often. Bass string is 4 strands of twisted 250 lb 250 lb test / .063 in / 1.6 mm 150 lb test / .047 in / 1.19 mm 100 lb test / .039 in / .99 mm 80 lb test / .035 in / .89 mm 50 lb test / .028 in / .71 mm 30 lb test / .022 in / .55 mm 25 lb test / .019 in / .48 mm
@TonythekillaB 10 ай бұрын
Thank you for this i have a question as well. What did you use to connect the fishing rod to the strings at the base of the rod with the metal ring?
@willridenour 10 ай бұрын
Hi, I'd be glad to answer your question except I don't know what you mean by "fishing rod"... could you explain differently?
@TonythekillaB 10 ай бұрын
@@willridenour sorry i totally said that wrong what type of material did you use to connect the fishing line to the base of the metal ring
@willridenour 10 ай бұрын
@@TonythekillaB gotcha. I used 250lb test braided fishing line. It's very strong and doesn't vibrate and create buzzing sounds like regular monofilament sometimes does. I don't actually like the brand I was using here (0.80 mm Super Power Ashconfish)- the green pigment comes off onto your hands when using it and it's kind of a pain. Otherwise, it's working great.
@alexenriquez5900 2 жыл бұрын
HELLO I LOVED YOUR VIDEO A QUESTION TELL ME IF IT IS POSSIBLE IN THE HIGHEST TREBLE NOTES GO, ADJUST THE LAST THREE ON THE RIGHT SIDE I PUT A 60MM CALIBER IT DOESN'T GIVE ME A VERY GOOD SOUND AND IF I PUT A 70MM IT DOESN'T GIVE ME A VERY GOOD SOUND, WHAT IS HAPPENING?
@willridenour 2 жыл бұрын
Hi - sorry I don't quite understand the question, but I'm glad to try and help you. Are you talking about the thickness of the 3 highest strings?
@alexenriquez5900 2 жыл бұрын
@@willridenour THANKS MR.... The thinnest doesn't sound good to me, So I changed the bridge, but I distinguish another not very pleasant sound on the thinner strings I put the previous bridge and the thinner strings still give a bad sound, I already changed to thicker and much thinner and I do not find the sound as my kora arrived What can be?
@willridenour 2 жыл бұрын
@@alexenriquez5900 hmmm sounds like an interesting problem. So you have tried a different bridge and also larger and smaller strings, and none of that worked? Describe the bad sound you are getting and also the sound you are wanting to get. Also- this problem might be hard to figure out with us messaging back and forth. Id be glad to help you over Zoom sometime. That way I can see your kora and hear the problem you are getting.