oudistcamp - 12-30-2014 at 08:40 PM
I am not the seller, just FYI.
The listings read like the seller is not an oud player.
Perhaps his estate is selling?
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/msg/4825947130.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/msg/4825947749.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/msg/4825938789.html
DoggerelPundit - 1-2-2015 at 10:31 AM
Well this Karibyan could be an exciting find, even at the price; 1959 would be well within Mr. Karibyan's "golden" period. However, aside from a
competent sound file, I would want to see written certification (for me, from Viken Najarian who would know) that the face and bracing are
original. It is suspicious to me that all three ouds appear to have pickguards of the same black plastic material. That might mean nothing...or
everything.
-Stephen
mavrothis - 1-3-2015 at 07:09 AM
Hi,
I got to see and hear these ouds over Skype. The sound seems right to me and the look too, but I didn't get a close look of course.
The similar pickguards on the two probably means that they passed through the hands of the same person in the 70s or 80s. Pickguards were changed a
lot back then, from no-name ouds to those of the most famous makers.
The owner was nice enough to speak with and made time for me on Skype, and I'm sure for any other serious inquiries he'll be happy to provide
information.
mav
journeyman - 1-3-2015 at 03:52 PM
I think you should have that Karibian Mav. You deserve it and there is no reason why not. Right?
mavrothis - 1-3-2015 at 10:52 PM
Hehehe, that's very nice of you to say, thank you very much. Anyone who loves the oud, especially from this era and region of the world, deserves to
have a Karibyan, a Manol or a Hamza Usta to have and play, among other makers of that general time frame.
I actually have been very lucky over the past few years and have acquired a few older ouds, including a Karibyan. I will unfortunately have to part
with most of my ouds before too long, so I'm not in a position to be buying another collector's oud these days.
For a buyer who feels confident in the authenticity of these particular ouds though, and likes the sound of one or more, I don't think either of these
prices is high for what is being offered. I'm always surprised that Nahats for example seem to hover in price around $4000-5000 when you would expect
them to be closer to $10,000 or more, since they seem to be the standard in the Arabic school of oud making. Setting values (or assuming them) is
definitely tricky.