Peter Sayegh: Another talented Palestinian Oud Maker
I have been holding this for a while, as per Peter's request. The young man just didn't want to go public before he's quite sure he can handle this
new status/title: a Luthier.
"A great responsibility" he'd say; meaning it's not the decision to start building ouds that makes you a luthier. "It's science one should learn very
thoroughly before he can really make this career change. There's a big difference between wanting to build an oud (don't we all do ? ) and knowing how
to".
Peter was born in 1978 in Ramlah, (colloquial Ramleh) , a city which is nowadays predominantly Jewish with a significant Arab minority (20%). Most of
the town's Arab majority were expelled or left in 1948 bloody war; while others remained in the town. Peter's family was one of the Christian
Palestinians families who refused to abandon their hometown, and survived the war.
Till a couple of years ago, Peter was an electrician running his own business, but a severe work accident (OMG, again ? ) put his right hand's
function in danger, so he had to quit his job . He turned to his old-time hobby: music and started playing a bit, then decided to build his own oud.
The first led to the second and soon a proud collection of his first masterpieces occupied his saloon. Friends, who came over once in a while, told
others, so players started dropping in to try his ouds.
Nizar Rohana eventually came along too -or was it Peter who sought Nizar's advice - and a very important turning point in Peter's career occurred, as
he stated. Nizar just told him what he'd actually expect from his instrument. Peter put down his new friend's remarks and promptly started
implementing what he had grasped from their frequent meetings; sometimes in Isfiya, Nizar's home town, and sometimes in Ramleh.
I was lucky to meet Peter for the first time when he visited me along with Nizar, and soon became one of my many friends, meeting even behind Nizar's
back 
. I was stunned by his ouds, as far as finish is involved. The man is
simply a finish maniac, who reminded me of other maniacs, but with more passion, variety and vision. He would not time how long a specification would
take. He just decides to make what turns-to-be right and does it (very) right.
As a loyal, faithful student of the Turkish Luthiery School, specifically the craftsmanship, his first ouds were more Turkish than Arabic; but he soon
realized it's the Arabian oud he was after, and switched to Arabic. Peter's coming dozen of ouds started speaking Arabic, rather than Turkish !
One of Peter's last ouds, which I was honored to examine, was one of the most magnificent newly born ouds I've ever came across in my whole oud life.
It had a mellow, warm, loud, velvet-like, bassy, Arabic full rich sound, and just looked like .. well, like Miss World, if you get me covered. Zero
mistakes, no excuses, top quality (exotic) woods and accessories, ideal action and playability. In short: one of the kings of the ouds.
To make the long story short, the man has just started and he's already excelling, but he might not persist, since some hesitations in his conduct are
often expressed: I may try something else .. maybe bakery.. fast food .. abattoir .. hell.. what for ? .. I shall soon recover and get back to
electricity. etc. 
!
I guess this is a typical respond for what was said several times in the past: oud making is a sure recipe for poverty, at least on this side of the
Globe. Peter's ouds are not cheap and his prices are relatively high. Every single oud of his is solely made by his almost-bare-hands with no
employees, nor apprentices whatsoever. In full capacity he might be capable to make 3 ouds in 2 months, so make your own calculations.
Attached herewith some assorted shots of some ouds of PETER SAYEGH, a very promising young new luthier. Welcome aboard, friend.
Yours indeed
Alfaraby
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