Mike's Oud Forums

RAGMAKAMTAR version 9 (official copy #1) completed today

Edward Powell - 1-12-2013 at 11:25 AM

[for those who don't know, the RAGMAKAMTAR is an oud and a sarod in one instrument]

HI Folks...
...just finished building and testing the very first "official" copy of RAGMAKAMTAR version 9. I am really very happy with this instrument which I built for a very talented American musician Lloyd Thayer. The instrument turned out not only as good as the original, but actually better - which is very encouraging. I made note of the tap-tone tunings of the soundboard before attaching, so this pleasant result should be surely repeatable. Thanks for listening, but sorry for the poor video quality. Fotos and better vids to come.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uaezItGPu8

bulerias1981 - 1-12-2013 at 11:56 AM

You're a great one Ed..

Lovely sound. Excellent job on this project. What are your opinion about the instrument?

Nice playing as well.

Ararat66 - 1-12-2013 at 01:56 PM

That is fabulous - great sound (and nice playing) from what I can hear (if that doesn't sound too daft!!) and a fantastic combination for an instrument.

Leon

Edward Powell - 1-12-2013 at 02:15 PM

Thanks so much guys!
My opinion? ...I am completely in love with it!
I was quite frustrated for 6 years, building 8 versions, and none of them really came thru for BOTH necks... So I spent a lot of time brainstorming and considering all possible acoustic principles. . . and finally simply came up with the idea to more or less make an oud body with two necks... and it worked perfectly. The oud sounds sweet and strong, and so does the sarod. So version 9 for me really hit the jackpot! ...here are two clips that I did on day one after finishing version 9 in Sept. 2011.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXDM8TEvPQk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2gOcczf7IM

Lloyd liked these clips and ordered a copy for himself.
I am sure that I will be making more and more of these #9 copies for myself and other players so I have now made some templates and jigs to be able to make these quicker and more accurately.

Regarding this copy --- I think it is much better than the original, which for me is very encouraging! ...especially the I know now I can reproduce this tone because I kept clear notes regarding what tuning the tap-tones are at on the soundboard before gluing.

SamirCanada - 1-12-2013 at 02:30 PM

Congrats!! Very well done!

MatthewW - 1-13-2013 at 06:31 AM

congratulations bro. how much does the Ragmakamtar weigh?
How is the balance between body and necks? :cool:

Edward Powell - 1-13-2013 at 08:03 AM

Quote: Originally posted by MatthewW  
congratulations bro. how much does the Ragmakamtar weigh?
How is the balance between body and necks? :cool:


Hi Matt
Actually these aspects are not serious issues like they were with previous RMTARs. Exact weight I didn't measure yet, but it is just slightly more than an oud. The neck side is not overweight - this is not something which your attention come to when playing. I guess this is because the necks are still quite short, and there are just two of them as opposed to three.

Edward Powell - 1-13-2013 at 08:41 AM

some pics...

Jaffa Road - 1-23-2013 at 01:54 PM

looks and sounds great!
one day (in the future) I will order one as well.

do you think it will work as well with a 6 or 7 course oud?

Edward Powell - 1-23-2013 at 02:10 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Jaffa Road  
looks and sounds great!
one day (in the future) I will order one as well.

do you think it will work as well with a 6 or 7 course oud?



Hi Jaffa
Thanks,
of course any number of strings or necks is possible... however my honest answer is that my guess is that adding more strings than this version might compromise the tone somewhat - the reason is that more strings means more tension, and more tension on the soundboard means it gets tighter which means that it takes more energy to drive it - and as we know, nylon strings don't have that much energy.

I actually, as you know, tried so many combination and possibilities already and for some reason this exact model really hits a sweet spot... and it has worked on all three copies I have made so far.

I am open to building experimental instruments for people - whatever anyone wants actually - but as far as guaranteeing a great tone, so far I can only promise that from this exact version.

Having said that, there are tricks to keep the sound sweet... for example anything to keep the SB tension as reduced as possible... for example lighter strings, lower tuning, lower bridge exit height, single string bass string course.... just tell me what your idea is an perhaps I'll have some ideas.

Jono Oud N.Z - 1-23-2013 at 02:27 PM

Awesome!:applause:
Amazing instrument!

Edward Powell - 1-23-2013 at 02:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Jono Oud N.Z  
Awesome!:applause:
Amazing instrument!


Thanks! yes it is!
unfortunately I don't own it :-( ...it is in transit now to Boston, hopefully will arrive in one piece.

I now need to build another one for myself to match this one :-)