Tamburica E-prim tuner
This tamburica tuner is specifically for a five-string E-prim, also called bisernica. It has three single strings, C♯4–F♯4–B4, and a double E5 course tuned in unison.
Open-string notes and frequencies
Tamburica E-prim: E-prim · five strings. Five physical strings in four courses. Equal-tempered frequencies at A4 = 440 Hz; the live targets follow the selected A reference.
| String / course | Sounding note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| C♯ string | C♯4 | 277.18 |
| F♯ string | F♯4 | 369.99 |
| B string | B4 | 493.88 |
| E melody course | E5 | 659.26 |
How to use it
- Check that the instrument is a five-string E-prim in the documented fourths-based system.
- Find the two thinnest strings of the E melody course and trace them to their pegs.
- Tap that course, mute one member, and tune the other to E5.
- Tune its partner to the same E5, then measure B4, F♯4 and C♯4 individually.
- Play a short melody and recheck the double course after all strings have settled.
Help and explanations
The Folklore Ensemble Linđo describes this E-prim stringing and its pitch register; Hora’s instrument chart also lists the five strings. Tamburica names a wider family, so a brač, bugarija, berda or a prim in another system needs its own tuning.
The E in E-prim is the high course
Here E5 is about 659.26 Hz at A440. Moving down through B4, F♯4 and C♯4 gives three successive fourths, not the fifths used by a mandolin. The lowest C♯4 is about 277.18 Hz. Match the octave as well as the letter before tightening a string from a previously unknown setup.
Croatian and German notation may label B natural as H and use octave superscripts. Linđo’s e², h¹, fis¹ and cis¹ correspond to the scientific E5, B4, F♯4 and C♯4 used in this chart. Read the source’s convention before comparing labels from two different tuning charts.
Other prims are genuinely different setups
D-prims and G-prims, additional doubled courses, and older Farkaš-system instruments are not interchangeable with this five-string E-prim. The family also includes lower and accompanying instruments. Identify the member and system first; a generic tamburica name is not enough to choose string gauges or octave targets.
The four course buttons represent five physical strings. Only the top E course is doubled in this preset, and both of its members must be checked. Measure them separately, then play them together and listen for slow beating. A paired course that sounds sour only when fretted can point to uneven finger pressure or an intonation problem rather than incorrect open pitches.
For another confirmed tamburica setup, use the chromatic tuner alongside its own maker’s chart. This page intentionally keeps a single, documented E-prim arrangement instead of offering guessed family-wide presets.
Tips
- B4 is B natural, corresponding to H in some regional charts.
- Tune the two E5 melody strings individually before listening to their pair.
- Do not copy mandolin fifths onto a prim tuned in fourths.
Frequently asked questions
Which tamburica does this tuner cover?
A five-string E-prim or bisernica, with C♯4 F♯4 B4 and an E5+E5 melody course.
Why are there four buttons for five strings?
The high E course contains two unison strings; the other three courses contain one each.
Is H the same as B here?
H denotes B natural in Croatian/German-style note spelling. The tuner’s English chart uses B.
Can I use it for a G-prim or brač?
Use that instrument’s own register and system. This preset is specifically the documented E-prim arrangement.
Is the tuning in fifths like a mandolin?
No. The E-prim pitches shown here are spaced in fourths, from C♯4 up to E5.