Unorthodox tuning seems to be all that works on this instrument?
I have a long neck saz but I don't think it's a standard instrument. It's very old, and has 23 frets, but the body is much larger than what you'd expect from that length of neck saz. Anyways, whenever I try to put it in a normal tuning the strings break without fail. This is not just a one time problem. the only thing I have found that works is tuning it to CCC' ff gG with the lower G being higher than the highest C string, using Divan thickness of strings. It sounds nice, but like a divan as opposed to the normal long neck sound which is higher pitched. I can play all of the traditional melodies and songs because the triple course is just an octave lower, but it doesn't project or blend as well, especially since I usually don't play this instrument amplified. Are there any special string brands that you recommend resistant to breakage?, or another way of doing things I'm not aware of? anyone with an instrument like this that knows a trick?