Mike's Oud Forums

Newest J. Vergara ouds fresh off the press

bulerias1981 - 10-18-2013 at 12:55 PM

Hello all.. I've been busy the last few months preparing for the Woodstock Luthier's Invitational Showcase where I will be presenting my instruments for sale. The event takes place this weekend during peak season.. here upstate, Woodstock, NY. Autumn foliage in full bloom. The event is this coming Saturday and Sunday (26th and 27th) from 11am to 5pm)
http://www.woodstockinvitational.com/


Four of these ouds were built on the same mould (with a shallow bowl) Here are the measurements for that

Scale length 606mm
Face length 505mm
Face width 370mm
String height at neck joint 2.5 - 3mm

The "Majestic" oud is the oud with the bird's eye maple bowl, having walnut strips between. Najib Shaheen and I collaborated on the bracing for the soundboard on the Majestic oud.. The Mesjestic oud will be a new model that I will make available by order.

"Tarab" oud #2 (with the walnut ribs with 2.5mm spacers from maple) is a variation from the first, having a different rib configuration. The Tarab oud is also a model that I will be producing regularly.

Okay.. here are a couple videos I recorded last night in the cover of darkness when tarab levels are running high!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u977RRWm-cA Rast test

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DKDzGiEQrQ Bayati test




















































hamed - 10-18-2013 at 04:27 PM

These look amazing, you clearly have been very busy! I can't wait to hear these beauties.
I especially like the look of the oud with darker rosettes. Are these tops all spruce?

Thanks

Alfaraby - 10-19-2013 at 02:23 AM

Real masterpieces ! Bravo John
Waiting to hear them before they're sold
Thank you master

Yours indeed
Alfaraby

The Oud Press

Jody Stecher - 10-19-2013 at 05:16 AM

Yes, the ouds are beautiful, but tell me.......where can I get such a
press?!!?!

bulerias1981 - 10-19-2013 at 05:20 AM

Thank you everyone. This wasn't a suprise for Alfaraby, since I often share my work with him before I put it out here! Video is coming today.

bulerias1981 - 10-19-2013 at 01:52 PM

Okay.. here are a couple videos I recorded last night in the cover of darkness when tarab levels are running high!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u977RRWm-cA Rast test

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DKDzGiEQrQ Bayati test

ordnajela - 10-19-2013 at 09:59 PM

These Ouds are incredible. You can really get a sense of their personalities from the comparison video. It takes a real craftsman to not only make instruments, but ones with life. You have done it my friend. I have had the great pleasure of playing some of your instruments and I look forward to bringing one home with me. Thank you for sharing.

hamed - 10-19-2013 at 11:09 PM

Great sounding ouds, very impressive. The majestic oud stands out both in sound and aesthetics; how did you come to choose maple wood for this oud?

Faladel - 10-20-2013 at 01:18 AM

Please Prices.........

suz_i_dil - 10-21-2013 at 06:36 AM

Bravo, your ouds sound great ! Congratulations !

SamirCanada - 10-21-2013 at 08:29 AM

Very nice ouds John, they all sound very nice.

Jono Oud N.Z - 10-21-2013 at 11:59 AM

Wow!!!:applause:
These ouds are beautiful.

I would love to buy one from you sometime in the future.

Brian Prunka - 10-23-2013 at 11:30 AM

I stopped by John's a couple of days a go to check out these ouds . . . they are really excellent instruments. Beautiful workmanship, they all play very well and have good Arabic sounds. Each one has its own personality.
Whoever ends up with these are lucky folks!

Fritz - 11-8-2013 at 02:11 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lute  
Quote: Originally posted by Lute  
Hello,

They sounds, tarab:)

I am glad for the shallow bowls. Well done I like your approach!

Would the necks lean forward in the future, if not why?

Any guarantee on the ouds, if yes for how long?

What type of strings have been installed?

Prices?



Well, he did not bother answering me! What is the point of providing all this pictures without prices and answering the client request? It is not enough to be another starting oud maker, he needs to know how to communicate with the clients! I am very disappointed!:(


Hi Lute

First and foremost : Don´t be disappointed so fast, please !

There are some artisanians with very high skills and, that´s my opinion, these people have other features matching with the things they do. He has his own way to build the instruments, and I´m sure he has his own way to communicate with others, if they are clients or not. And I am sure, his Ouds are sold faster than the time I need to bild one Oud !
Perhaps he isn´t speaking about money with pleasure, as I wouldn´t, too... so he hesitates to answer directly to very direct questions about the prices ore in general the price range of one of those 5 or another Oud... so let him do as he likes to do. I´m sure he is known by a lot of people, and himself he knows a lot of... and this circle of people around him surely knows how to communicate with him and he with them.

So keep calm, let the things go their way... may be some things need a bit time to grow well. Give them the time needed :-)

I am sorry writing you such a message, but I think, it´s more important to keep good contacts then to be disappointed about the (missing) immediately reaction to your posting.

Please do not be angry with me about my message...

Very kind greetings

Fritz

majnuunNavid - 11-8-2013 at 09:17 PM

These look impeccable! :bounce:

bulerias1981 - 11-9-2013 at 06:09 PM

Hi guys,.. I just noticed Lute's message to me with his questions. I definitely didn't mean to ignore him, and I definitely don't suffer from autism either.. I'm perfectly healthy, and able to communicate :)

As for Lute, again, no disrespect intended, and I apologize. I'm a very open person, I encourage people to e-mail me, to call me, and to visit me. I'm just not consistent with forums online, I've been incredibly busy, so that's why.

Okay, so in general, thanks for everyone's compliments, you've all been kind enough..

To answer Lute's questions #1 "Would the necks lean forward in the future, if not why?" and #2 , "Any guarantee on the ouds, if yes for how long?" \
The answer can be found in my website...

"Warranty:
My instruments are guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship to the original owner for life. I will not cover damage due to wear and tear, abuse, neglect and extreme fluctuations of temperature and humidity."

Then Lute asks, what strings were installed..
All ouds have been fitted with Labella wound strings, and G and C D'addario .28 and .24

As for the price, please call me or e-mail me, or stop by. But in general my range is $3000 and up.

Thanks,
John