Mike's Oud Forums

A comparison between the sound of two new ouds

Nazih Ghadban - 7-25-2005 at 06:30 AM

A comparison between the sound of two new ouds(1049&981) which have:
The same Characteristics:
-Shape and size
-Design
-Varnish
-Stringlength :60cm
- Strings: Pyramide
- Pegs: Ebony
-Nut; Ebony
- Bridge:Ebony
- Braces: spruce
-Bowl: walnut
-Pegbox: walnut
-Neck: walnut
only the soundboards are different
-No 1049(Soundboard: spruce)
- No 981 (Soundboard :cedar wood)
After regarding theirs sounds I 'll be happy to receive your opinions and remarks, and which sound do you prefer on info@oudnazihghadban.com
Thanks
Nazih Ghadban

revaldo29 - 7-25-2005 at 09:53 AM

Mr. Ghadban,

Man, both of these ouds sound and look fantastic. If I had to choose one though, I would go with the spruce top (1049) because it sounds to me like it has a deeper and slightly richer sound. What effect does making it bashir style have on the sound? I always thought ouds were built that way when they had a shorter scale length inorder to reach a higher tension without deforming the oud over time. Whats the purpose of making ouds with a 60 cm scale length bashir style?

amarock - 7-25-2005 at 11:14 AM

hi
wich of both spruce or cedar?
bruno

Greg - 7-25-2005 at 01:03 PM

Hello Mr Ghadban,

Thank you for sharing the pictures and sounds of these two lovely instruments. (Of course I am a little biased because oud # 981 is vey similar to my oud # 1032)

To my ear, there is quite a lot of reverberant room sound in both samples. I think that sort of environment would affect the sound of each oud in a different way. My preference (when played in that room) would be the spruce model. It is likely that my preference would be reversed in a less "live" environment.

I am sorry if that is not very helpful for you in determining a real preference :rolleyes:.

Regards,

Greg

oudman - 7-25-2005 at 01:20 PM

Austaz Nazih
In my opinion, the oud with the spruce top definitely has a richer, fuller sound.
Best regards
Victor

take a look

Nazih Ghadban - 7-25-2005 at 01:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by amarock
hi
wich of both spruce or cedar?
bruno

you could know in my site
http://www.oudnazihghadban.com
in the page:Current Production and What's New

Nazih Ghadban - 7-25-2005 at 01:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by revaldo29
Mr. Ghadban,

Man, both of these ouds sound and look fantastic. If I had to choose one though, I would go with the spruce top (1049) because it sounds to me like it has a deeper and slightly richer sound. What effect does making it bashir style have on the sound? I always thought ouds were built that way when they had a shorter scale length inorder to reach a higher tension without deforming the oud over time. Whats the purpose of making ouds with a 60 cm scale length bashir style?

to give more intensity to the low strings

Boos(Kiss) the spruse!

aldokhi - 7-25-2005 at 04:29 PM

Hi Mr. Ghadban,

I not an expert, but I agree that the spruce oud sound better.

the other oud sounds great as well.

thanks for sharing this with us, I look forward to comparisons and demos of your great work.

Aldokhi

oudplayer - 7-25-2005 at 04:45 PM

hi my Ghadban
how are you i just wanna say yr ouds are amazing and i would like to get one soon? when i have a enough money
i perfur sound oud modal 1025 lol its sounds amazing
but if i had to pick one of thse it wouiod be 1049
thx and i hope this helps
thx sammy
p.s would there be any other wood that u can use instead of spruse and ceder i was just thinking

roland - 7-26-2005 at 12:02 PM

Hi Mister Ghadban,

Based on the ear test the oud with spruce soundboard has the best sound for me.
On the other hand, if I had the opportunity to try both instruments in your workshop, I am not sure I would select the 1049. Choosing an instrument is a complex an personal matter. The touch, the smell, and so many other things play a role. But you know all this.

Best wishes

Roland:)

amarock - 7-26-2005 at 12:38 PM

Dear mr Ghadban
Thank you for your reply.
Very nice site :)
Bruno.

Nazih Ghadban - 7-26-2005 at 02:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by oudplayer
hi my Ghadban
how are you i just wanna say yr ouds are amazing and i would like to get one soon? when i have a enough money
i perfur sound oud modal 1025 lol its sounds amazing
but if i had to pick one of thse it wouiod be 1049
thx and i hope this helps
thx sammy
p.s would there be any other wood that u can use instead of spruse and ceder i was just thinking

I think after my long experiece Spruce and Cedar are the most preferable
Thank you

SamirCanada - 7-26-2005 at 03:07 PM

Does it make sence to say that the cedar to me seems slightly more dense so it would create a more powerfull torque and sound when playing without a mic. I agree that the sound of spruce is nicer quality. But I have only seen one cedar top oud in real life and it was louder then most ouds made of spruce.
Cheers Samir
please let me know if this has any truth to it.

SamirCanada - 8-8-2005 at 07:45 PM

Anyone else thinks that cedar has a stronger sound projection?
just wondering if its true? or either wood will produce a good sound when the braces are well mounted? Also would like to know if the thickness of the face affects the sound volume of the oud?
Thanks
Samir

Nazih Ghadban - 8-14-2005 at 09:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SamirCanada
Anyone else thinks that cedar has a stronger sound projection?
just wondering if its true? or either wood will produce a good sound when the braces are well mounted? Also would like to know if the thickness of the face affects the sound volume of the oud?
Thanks
Samir

many factors affect the sound:
-the shape and the kind of wood for the bowl
-the type of the braces
-the thickness and the kind of wood of the top(cedar or spruce)
-the kind of the wood for the bridge
-the rosettes(size,number,place)
-the stringlength
-the kind of the strings
I think the sound of the spruce increases with the time if it is made correctly.