r/baglama

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?

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1363218369001045/?fs=e&s=TIeQ9V&fs=e&mibextid=wwXIfr&fs=e

This seems to be baglama tuning. The additional information on the video says it is “40 cm tekne uzun sap”. The upper course (closest to the head) is tuned to C#.

I tried tuning my short neck to C#. It sounds dull and not as loud. Even tuning down a half step to C sounds much better. It’s usually tuned to B.

So my question concerns this long neck saz in baglama tuning tuned to C# (which sounds great to me). How is he getting such good sound and what set of strings could he be using? The standard set of long neck strings would usually be played in Bb for the upper course. And the middle at F and the lower at C. His appears to be tuned C# B F#. I’d think the standard long neck strings could not be tuned anywhere near those pitches.