djmoudi - 7-9-2007 at 06:16 AM
Hey community,
I am just starting out with oud and finally i think I zoomed in purchasing this oud from Mr Nazih. As a Beginner I am seeking you candid opinion about
this particular Nahat replica oud. I am uploading the oud and the sound file. Please let me know if this is a good quality/price deal for this one. It
is priced at $2500.
The specs are:
-Bowl:Walnut&small stripe
-Top:red cedar wood
-PickGuard:Ebony
-Fingerboard:Mozaik of Oak&Rosewood
-Pegs:Ebony
-Nut:Bone
-Stringlength:62cm
Many Thanks
djmoudi - 7-9-2007 at 06:18 AM
more Pics..
djmoudi - 7-9-2007 at 06:19 AM
And here is the sound Bit...
Jonathan - 7-9-2007 at 07:21 AM
Love the way he bookmatched the wood for those four center ribs. Nice touch.
djmoudi - 7-9-2007 at 08:12 AM
I concur, pretty nice touch..did you get a chance to hear the sound?
djmoudi - 7-9-2007 at 11:21 AM
Wow, thought I Might get more help on this at Mike's.
Come on guys....
oudplayer - 7-9-2007 at 11:43 AM
hey djmoudi
This is a great oud. i dont have one of his ouds, but i would buy this if i had the money, it sounds amazing and you know yr buying a great quility
peace of oud. {not sure if that make sence what i said}
thx sammy
SamirCanada - 7-9-2007 at 11:56 AM
The most important thing is that you be happy with the oud.
to me it sounds very nice and I would say its very beautiful.
it seems to me like a carefully crafted instrument.
bottom line congradulations on your new oud. and Enjoy it!
djmoudi - 7-9-2007 at 12:07 PM
Thank you guys,
the reson i reached out to this site is to get a second opinion as I have no knowledge in this...just starting to slowly stream out my way. But looks
like am here to stay..especially that the community here is very helpful..i will be needing you guys guidance increasingly. especially that i could
not find an oud teacher where i leave....though i am sure there must be some one out here who plays oud.
Meursault - 7-9-2007 at 12:13 PM
I love this oud, and actually had this very same instrument on hold for several weeks. Hope you get it and enjoy it. Nazih is a great luthier.
djmoudi - 7-9-2007 at 12:26 PM
How about the price guys..do you think that is negotiable?
Meursault - 7-9-2007 at 01:12 PM
I doubt it. That's pretty much the going rate for a new, professional quality oud.
paulO - 7-9-2007 at 02:14 PM
I have to agree -- this is a beautiful intrument, with a beautiful bowl -- man that walnut is fantastic. The rosettes, fingerboard, and pickgard
appear to be first rate, and what I can tell about the pegs they appear to be excellent as well. The sound clip bodes well -- heck it already sounds
pretty good. Of course, forget everything I said -- because if it doesn't turn you on, the price means nothing -- you have to dig it. Good luck
dude.
Regards..Paul
Mike - 7-9-2007 at 05:20 PM
Hey DJ,
This is a beautiful oud with a lot of nice details in all the right places. Usta Nazih is a master oudmaker with an excellent reputation. Many
professional artists are playing his ouds, and to me that says a lot. He uses quality materials and his craftsmanship is excellent. The oud sounds
very big, yet warm and bassy with lots of tarab, and in my opinion you made a very good choice.
Best,
Mike
Melbourne - 7-10-2007 at 02:55 AM
I have to agree with everybody here. Nazih is a fantastic luthier. Where people may hold back is on the price. But that is what you pay for
professional work - and you can be assured that you're gettig what you pay for, and if for whatever reason things go wrong, Mr Ghadban has proven to
be most supportive and trustworthy. One day I'll definitely own one...or two 
(I'm thinking a customised bashir and a slightly altered nahat model). Only if I planned every thing else like I plan my oud investments 
Jameel - 7-10-2007 at 04:06 AM
That's a very nice sounding instrument. Great bassy and deep sound. I really like the back of the bowl. Nice wood and nice inlay. You have a nice oud.
But only you can decide whether or not the price is worth it to you. I know how much work goes into an oud, so my opinions on price are perhaps not
reflective of the majority...
djmoudi - 7-10-2007 at 09:31 AM
Thank you all for sharing your opinions. Now that I am decided on the oud. I face the Dilemma of learning. I could not find a teacher in the
virginia/DC/Maryland area. so do u guys recommend any software/material for a beginner or just advices on how to start learning.
Best Regards
Jameel - 7-10-2007 at 10:57 AM
Try contacting Anne Rasmussen akrasm@wm.edu
She's the director (and she plays oud) of the College of William and Mary ME Ensemble.
djmoudi - 7-10-2007 at 11:23 AM
Many Thanks Jameel, lathough williamsburg is too far from where I live, I contacted Mrs Anne, may be she knows someone closer. Also some
books/software for self-learning.
many Thanks again
Jason - 7-10-2007 at 01:49 PM
I don't think you can go wrong with anything by Mr. Ghadban. The craftsmanship of my oud is on par or better than many guitars my friends own that
cost $4000+ I think his prices are extremely fair for the quality of work
Post some more pictures when you get the oud, I never get tired of looking 
Lintfree - 7-10-2007 at 02:03 PM
Mr. Ghadban is one of the major makers and his work is of the highest quality. I was thinking of buying the very oud you have pictured because of the
workmanship and because of the sound he gets and because it is a work of art. But because I play Turkish oud and after 30 years am used to a shorter
scale I passed on this instrument. The price is high but totally in line with what you are buying. As a starting instrument it is a bit steep but it's
better to start with something that will inspire you rather than buying something that will give you problems and sound bad. If I was buying a new
Arabic oud I would get a Ghadban, a Rapakousios, one of Jameel's or one of Najarian's Arabic ouds. Get something good in the beginning whatever you
do.
Mr. Ghadban's ouds also look marvelous and it's good to look marvelous.
faridoud - 7-12-2007 at 12:43 PM
Hi djmoudi,
I have a Ghadban to and I can tell you that his work is absolutly beautiful. The choice of the wood (great quality, keeped during many many years),
acording to Lintfree each ghadbans oud looks marvelous which is an important detail, very nice manufacturing, and the sound ...what a pleasure. So,
2500 $ is not a high price for a Ghadban's oud. there is no doubt that, in several years the price will send up. If you are a beginner (like me ) you can aske advices to him, he has experience and knowlege. Nazih is certainly one
of the greatest master oud maker.
regards
farid
djmoudi - 7-13-2007 at 06:15 AM
I have to agree. I made the final preparations to get this oud. Nazih was very helpful and well mannered, I also asked him about his advice about
learning oud and if he knew of any good material. Man, I cant wait to get my hand on my oud and start dishing oud some maqams 
hmmm or may be that is too fast for me..
so guess you are a beginner too...how did you go about learning to play..dod u have any method books?
faridoud - 7-15-2007 at 02:30 AM
Hi Djimoudi,
Each day, I start to work some exercices (right hand, left hand like some of mike or mavrotis for example) for one hour or sometimes more. I learned
solfeggio then I read some compositions begining by the most accessible for the moment. I learn some of Marcel Khalifeh oud method, or sometimes by
hear. Always with pleasure. So I'm lucky to have friends to study with. And, as
it's possible, I take lessons with a teacher...
In two words: work and passion
Good luck Djimoudi and don't let it down
regards
Farid