Greek bouzouki string tension
The eight-string Greek bouzouki (tetrachordo) is tuned in four courses, C F A D: octave pairs on C and F, unison pairs on A and D. The calculator opens on D'Addario's EJ97 set (.010–.028) on a 670 mm scale and shows the pull of each string, course by course.
Tension of the D'Addario EJ97 set (CFAD) at 670 mm
Eight-string Greek bouzouki, from the D course to the C course. Unit weights from the D'Addario chart.
| String | Note | Gauge | kg | lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D4 | .010 | 6.2 | 13.8 |
| 2 | D4 | .010 | 6.2 | 13.8 |
| 3 | A3 | .013 | 5.9 | 13.0 |
| 4 | A3 | .013 | 5.9 | 13.0 |
| 5 | F4 | .010 | 8.8 | 19.5 |
| 6 | F3 | .022w | 9.1 | 20.2 |
| 7 | C4 | .013 | 8.4 | 18.5 |
| 8 | C3 | .028w | 8.2 | 18.1 |
How to use it
- Check the scale length: 670 mm is the usual tetrachordo scale. Measure nut to 12th fret and double it for yours.
- Keep the EJ97 set, compare the Sintono No. 10 under Compare with, or pick String by string and type your gauges.
- Strings are numbered as the courses are strung: 1–2 D, 3–4 A, 5–6 F (high octave, then wound), 7–8 C (high octave, then wound).
- Switch between lb, kg and N; the choice stays on this device.
Help and explanations
That set adds up to about 129.8 lb (58.9 kg) here, against 131.0 lb in D'Addario's published figures: our result is within 1.3% on every string. The high F4 octave string carries the most of the plain strings, about 19.5 lb on a .010, while each D4 string pulls 13.8 lb.
Where the numbers come from
The calculator uses D'Addario's formula, T = UW × (2 × L × F)² ÷ 386.4, with unit weights from the D'Addario tension chart. D'Addario lists the EJ97 tensions on its product page: 13.9 lb on each D string, 13.2 on each A, 19.7 on the F4 octave string, 20.3 on the wound F3, 18.7 on the C4 octave string and 18.1 on the wound C3. This calculator stays within 1.3% of them on every string; the published total would match at a scale of about 673 mm.
The Sintono No. 10 set from Greece is lighter on the bass courses (.020 and .026 wound, .011 C4), so it totals about 118.4 lb (53.7 kg): an easier feel on the C and F courses, with the D and A courses unchanged.
6-string vs 8-string bouzouki tension
The six-string trichordo (D A D) is a different load. With D'Addario's EJ97-6 (.011–.022) on its 680 mm scale, each D4 string pulls about 17.1 lb and the wound D3 14.7 lb, for roughly 97.3 lb (44.1 kg) in total, about a quarter less than the eight-string set. Don't put a tetrachordo set on a trichordo neck or the other way round: the courses and pitches differ.
Octave courses are where tension gets uneven. A thin plain string tuned an octave above its wound partner pulls more than you might expect, which is why the F4 and C4 strings carry more than the D and A courses.
Tips
- Restringing? The Greek bouzouki restringing guide covers loop ends, the floating bridge and octave pairs.
- Building or refretting? Lay out the 27 frets with the Greek bouzouki fret calculator.
- Changing gauges moves the octave at the 12th fret: check it with the intonation checker and nudge the floating bridge.
Frequently asked questions
What gauge are Greek bouzouki strings?
D'Addario's EJ97 for CFAD is .010 on the D pair, .013 on the A pair, .010 plain and .022 wound on F, and .013 plain and .028 wound on C.
What is the total tension of a bouzouki string set?
About 130 lb (59 kg) for the EJ97 on a 670 mm tetrachordo: D'Addario publishes 131.0 lb, and this calculator gives 129.8 lb.
How much tension does each bouzouki string have?
With the EJ97 at 670 mm: D4 13.8 lb (6.2 kg), A3 13.0 lb (5.9 kg), F4 19.5 lb, F3 20.2 lb (9.1 kg), C4 18.5 lb and C3 18.1 lb (8.2 kg).
Does a 6-string bouzouki have less tension?
Yes. A trichordo with the EJ97-6 on 680 mm comes to about 97.3 lb, against about 130 lb for an eight-string tetrachordo.
Are bouzouki strings loop end or ball end?
Greek bouzouki sets such as the EJ97 are loop end, hooked on the tailpiece. Gauge, pitch and scale set the tension, not the end type.