Mike's Oud Forums

Listen to Shehata Ouds

Mike - 8-15-2004 at 06:12 PM

Hey everybody,

I was lucky enough to hang out with Afif and Wael this weekend. I was showing them my new sycamore oud, and we were comparing it to some of my other ouds. I recorded Afif playing my sycamore oud and my ebony oud made by Maurice Shehata. I also recorded Afif playing his new Shehata oud, which is made of a dark walnut, or labbakh. Which sound do you prefer?

Take care,
Mike

To save these files to your hard drive, right mouse click over the link, and then choose Save Target As.
  • Sycamore Oud (3.8 MB)
  • Ebony Oud (3.3 MB)
  • Afif's new Labbakh Oud (3.1 MB)

    mavrothis - 8-15-2004 at 06:15 PM

    Hey Mike,

    Thanks so much for sharing these vids man. Honestly I think all these ouds are great, with unique voice and projection. But the one that moves me the most is the all ebony oud, which reminds me a lot of Farid el Atrache's sound.

    :D

    Thanks again buddy,

    mav

    Mike - 8-15-2004 at 06:20 PM

    Hey Mav,

    It's my favorite too bro. It always has been, although the sycamore one has a lot of potential. It's still brand new, and when it's broken in, I think it's going to be really nice. But you're right, they all have a unique sound to them, and that's what's cool about ouds.

    Take care,
    Mike

    Elie Riachi - 8-15-2004 at 07:17 PM

    I bet Afif is a cool guy.

    I agree with Mav's comments regarding the ouds. And each one sounded great and unique.

    Mike, the third link came up the same as the second so I didn't get to hear the Labakh oud. Thanks for sharing.

    Elie

    Mike - 8-15-2004 at 07:19 PM

    Hey Elie,

    Oops...:rolleyes:

    Thanks for pointing that out my friend. Try it now.

    Take care,
    Mike

    david - 8-15-2004 at 09:30 PM

    :bounce::bounce: Yo Mike, where was I Bro?????
    Man that would of been something to experience in person!
    By the way they all sounded great!!!!!
    An ebony oud sure does sound tempting right about now.:xtreme:

    oudman - 8-16-2004 at 03:28 AM

    Mike
    awesome videos, i like the sound of the ebony the best (although they all sound good), and Afifs playing is awesome ;)

    Wow

    LeeVaris - 8-16-2004 at 09:39 AM

    They all sound good!

    Though, I bet Afif could make anything sound good. Each instrument has a unique voice and perhaps different makams/styles of playing might sound better on each. I quite liked what Afif was playing on his labbakh oud – that instrument has great projection, very clear!

    I think that sycamore has a great sound especially for a new oud. There is a lot of complexity lurking in there. With a little age it is going to be killer!

    The ebony is very mature sounding already - very soulful, dark sound. It is hard to pick a favorite. I'd like to hear that sycamore one a year from now though.

    3OOD

    SAGR QURAISH - 8-16-2004 at 12:14 PM

    VERY NICE VIDEO CLIPS..I LOVE THE SOUND OF ALL OF THEM. ESPECIALLY THE EBONY..I CANT WAIT TO OWN MY 1ST EBONY SHEHATA 3OOD. THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO CLIPS.

    Elie Riachi - 8-16-2004 at 12:33 PM

    Mike,
    All three sound great. Now I want one of each.

    Afif's playing is so graceful.

    Thanks Mike.
    Elie

    Shahata ouds

    wfspark - 8-17-2004 at 11:28 AM

    Hey Mike. Awsome ouds. My favorate is the ebony oud. Afif's playing is killer. I bet if he wanted to, he could make that oud do speaches. Lol. Awsome stuff. Now I want an ebony Shahata oud. Thanks Mike.

    William F. Sparks

    oudplayer - 8-17-2004 at 03:35 PM

    hey i really ike all of them they all have differ unique sounds therer all very speciel
    keep up the good work afif u can make anything sound good mike there are all great ouds
    thj for letting us see the movie clips
    thx
    sammy

    oudplayer - 8-28-2004 at 05:32 PM

    hey what do u tune yr ouds to thx again
    sammy

    Aziz - 8-29-2004 at 02:50 AM

    I liked them all!

    thanx Mike


    Aziz

    Ronny Andersson - 9-1-2004 at 09:46 AM

    Quote:
    Originally posted by Mike
    Hey everybody,

    I was lucky enough to hang out with Afif and Wael this weekend. I was showing them my new sycamore oud, and we were comparing it to some of my other ouds. I recorded Afif playing my sycamore oud and my ebony oud made by Maurice Shehata. I also recorded Afif playing his new Shehata oud, which is made of a dark walnut, or labbakh. Which sound do you prefer?

    Take care,
    Mike

    Mike, The ebony sounds ¨dull¨ and very weak at the higher register. The sycamore is very nice but Afif's own oud stands out among them and is my favorite.

    Mike - 9-2-2004 at 05:45 AM

    Hey guys,

    Thanks for your comments. It's cool to see the different preferences you all have. I've also had a few people email me with some comments, and they have been all over the board as far as which ones they prefer over the others. The unique thing about ouds, is that they all have different character. Even when they are made by the same maker. Each oud has it's own personality. I love that about them.

    Here's another ebony oud video. The excellent Yemeni artist, Ahmad Fathi, is playing using only his fingers. Imagine if he was using a risha.

    Take care,
    Mike

    oudplayer - 9-2-2004 at 07:47 AM

    hey wow i am a fan of mr fathi and he is just amazing with a rashi or just his hands
    thx mike for all of these clips
    sammy

    spyros mesogeia - 9-3-2004 at 03:51 AM

    Hello friends,
    Mike they are amazing

    Best regards to all:wavey:
    Spyros