Bandurria strings: notes and restringing
The Filipino bandurria has 14 strings in 6 courses, tuned in fourths from the bass: F♯3 (185.00 Hz), B3 (246.94 Hz), E4 (329.63 Hz), A4 (440.00 Hz), D5 (587.33 Hz) and G5 (783.99 Hz). The bass F♯ is a single string, B and E are pairs, and A, D and G have three strings each: 1 + 2 + 2 + 3 + 3 + 3.
Filipino 14-string bandurria, course by course
From the bass (6th course) to the top (1st), at A = 440 Hz. A, D and G are triple courses, B and E pairs, F♯ single.
| String | Note | Hz |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | F♯3 | 185.00 |
| 5 | B3 | 246.94 |
| 4 | E4 | 329.63 |
| 3 | A4 | 440.00 |
| 2 | D5 | 587.33 |
| 1 | G5 | 783.99 |
How to use it
- Read the steps, then tick each one as you go. Your progress stays on this device.
- When all the steps are ticked, the page scrolls to the tuner. Choose Filipino 14-string or Spanish 12-string and tune each string of each course separately.
- Tap Start over to clear the boxes before the next string change.
Help and explanations
The Spanish bandurria has 12 strings in six unison pairs, a whole step higher: G♯3 C♯4 F♯4 B4 E5 A5, from 207.65 to 880.00 Hz. Both are strung the same way: loop ends on a metal tailpiece, a loose bridge, and geared tuners in the head. The guide below walks through it, and the tuner at the end checks every course.
Which string goes where
Courses are counted from the highest: the 1st course is G5 on a Filipino bandurria (A5 on a Spanish one) and the 6th is the bass. On the 14-string, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd courses are triples, the 4th and 5th are pairs and the 6th is a single wound string. Every string in a course plays the same note, in unison, so a course that wobbles when you strum it has one string out of tune.
Spanish 12-string sets show the usual gauges: La Bella's MB550 runs from .010 on the A5 pair to a wound .035 on the G♯3 pair, and Galli's BA125 from .011 to .035. Both are loop end. Filipino 14-string sets are sold as complete sets for the instrument; don't mix in a Spanish set, which has the wrong number of strings and is made for a higher tuning.
Why one string at a time
The bridge on a bandurria is not glued: string pressure holds it, and its position sets the intonation. Taking off all 14 strings lets it fall or slide. Change one string, or one course, at a time; if you need everything off to clean the fretboard, mark the bridge with masking tape first.
Tips
- Tune each string of a triple course on its own, plucking it alone, before you strum the course: three strings off by a few cents sound like a chorus effect.
- With the new set settled, check the octave at the 12th fret with the intonation checker; if the fretted note is sharp, move the bridge slightly toward the tailpiece.
- Playing in a rondalla? Agree on A = 440 Hz (or 442) before anyone tunes, and use the bandurria tuner for every instrument tuned the same way.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the bandurria strings?
On the Filipino 14-string, from the bass: F♯3, B3, E4, A4, D5, G5 (185.00 to 783.99 Hz). On the Spanish 12-string: G♯3, C♯4, F♯4, B4, E5, A5 (207.65 to 880.00 Hz).
How many strings does a bandurria have?
The Filipino bandurria has 14 strings in 6 courses (1 + 2 + 2 + 3 + 3 + 3). The Spanish bandurria has 12, in 6 pairs.
How are the 14 bandurria strings arranged?
The three highest courses (G, D, A) have three strings each, E and B are pairs, and the lowest F♯ is a single string.
What gauge are bandurria strings?
For the Spanish 12-string, La Bella's MB550 goes from .010 to .035 and Galli's BA125 from .011 to .035, plain on the two top pairs and wound below. Filipino sets are sold for 14 strings.
Why does a bandurria course sound out of tune when each string is right?
Usually one string in the course is a few cents off or still stretching. Pluck each string alone with the tuner, then strum the course: when the wobble stops, they agree.