charlie oud - 9-6-2017 at 01:25 AM
One of my Ouds is a Zeryab Nahat style, a cheapish oud but nice tone. It is rather quiet compared to my Sukar. I am wondering if it may sound a little
louder if I remove the main rosette and the 2 smaller ones. When I strike a string and then touch the rosette, I can feel it vibrating the same as if
I touch the soundboard, I am curious if this may mean it is taking vibration from the soundboard and the soundboard would be more resonant/louder
without the rosettes. What do you think?, have you tried this?. Thoughts welcome, thank you.
Omar Al-Mufti - 9-6-2017 at 04:23 AM
Hi Charlie,
I have tried many ouds with and without the rosette(s), no much difference. Doesn't worth trying actually.
charlie oud - 9-6-2017 at 04:53 AM
Thank you Omar. Hope all's well.
jdowning - 9-6-2017 at 05:27 PM
Removal of the rosette(s) will not significantly influence the loudness (Helmholtz resonance) either way.
charlie oud - 9-7-2017 at 12:24 AM
Thank you jdowning. So far it seems the experiment is not worth trying as the rosettes seem to be of little significance regarding volume.
Omar Al-Mufti - 9-7-2017 at 06:02 AM
No matter how careful you try, the likelihood to remove part of the soundboard wood with the rosette is high, as mentioned above, the influence is not
ear detectible.
the only reason I would remove a rosette is to perform repairs from inside.
You welcome Charlie, I hope you are doing well
charlie oud - 9-8-2017 at 02:50 AM
I really appreciate your advice Omar. I will leave the rosettes in place. I still like the sound of the Zeryab I only wish it was a little louder.
Take care and thank you.
Dr. Oud - 9-9-2017 at 08:05 AM
You can increase volume by using higher tension strings, but then you rick damage by pulling the bridge off. Another way is to shave the braces, but
you need an expert luthier with experience with ouds to do this. If the strings are too low, (less than 2mm above the fingerboard at the neck joint),
it can affect the volume. Fixing this condition requires either re-setting the neck or applying a tapered fingerboard on top of the original.
charlie oud - 9-9-2017 at 08:23 AM
Thank you Richard. Your view is much appreciated.