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Author: Subject: Encouter with Michael Moussa in Cairo
nile pirate
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[*] posted on 9-9-2011 at 11:29 AM
Encouter with Michael Moussa in Cairo


Dear feollow oudists,

I have come across this very interesting forum while googling for Michael Moussa's ouds. Two years ago, I had a holiday in Sharm where I met a young musician who was performing in a nearby casino. It was not his music which attracked me - though he was very good - but rather his oud. For a moment I thought it was an antique one - one of the best I ever saw if not the very best. I offered the guy what is equal to his annual income to get it. To my astonishment he proudly said it is not for sale it is an "English oud", a gift by Dr Moussa. I mumbled to myself what a gift!!! Eversince, I have been dreaming of putting my hands on one of his masterpieces which ooze music history and art. It was was the good chance that led me to the studio where he was recording his very peculiar, highly spiritual music - an unusual blend of Coptic and Sufi music. He was good enough to allow me to examine and even play his wonderful collection - I could see the original and the replica side by side - it was heaven. I fell in love with Khalil al Gohari replica, which took me to a century back in history and cleansed my ear of the metalic lifeless notes of my current ouds. Soon I will share the photos and clips with you. I think his friend Markus will upload a few clips on youtube played by Mr Rami Heshmat.
It would be lovely to see more of the few ouds he made in his long journey if some members have got any.

Lovely to be among you,
the nile oud pirate
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Kelly
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[*] posted on 9-9-2011 at 02:48 PM



Yes indeed Michael Moussa is a very talented oud maker and composer. He make some marvelous ouds. I have one of his al Lacy 7 course ouds which is continuing to develop a lovely warm and rich sound.

You should search for other Moussa threads on this forum

I'm sure you had a great treat in Cairo.

al Lacy oud.jpg - 5kB al Lacy oud.2jpg.jpg - 7kB




Kelly
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Ararat66
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[*] posted on 9-10-2011 at 12:46 AM


Hi there

Nice to see that oud of yours Kelly;) Mr Moussa is a real gem of a person, he has a unique and deeply felt musical sense and is one of the kindest people I have ever met. I love his approach to oud making - they are not off the peg but an extension of his own musical journey.

Leon
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markus
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[*] posted on 9-10-2011 at 10:39 PM


Welcome oud pirate to Moussa's bay!!!
But let me tell you you have aleady fallen into the trap - getting out of this bay is almost impossible even to pirates.
Like yourself I discovered him by chance- he is not a propagandist in any way, even his site magicstrings.co.uk is down most of the time. I started with his Nahat replica few years ago and ended having 4 after unregtetfully sacrificing my original George Nahat oud. They are very different but share one character that is authenticity. Currently myself along with other disciples are working on a directory catalogue for all his master pieces which I gather are not more 35-40- what a lazy luthier!!
When back home, I will upload some fotos of my collection
Welcome again
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antonis
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[*] posted on 9-11-2011 at 05:01 AM


Hello
i've seen mr Moussa's website and i really loved his ouds. Since i'm thinking of buying a new one, you guys would recommend to buy one of his? Is the quality, the attention to the detail, the feel while playing and the sound satisfying overtime? I'm thinking of getting a Bashir style. Also i want it to be 7 course, so do you know if he makes custom ouds?

Thanks in advance!
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Kelly
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[*] posted on 9-11-2011 at 11:55 AM


Hi Antonis

Michael makes quite a few 7 course ouds- such as the one I have pictured above but not many floating bridge style. He tends to make as he feels with woods/designs rather than specfic custom to order. The detail on the inlay work along the ribs for example is remarkable.

As Markus says they all sound different but generally on the mellow side.

I'll post u2u for email if you want sound samples of the current one I have.




Kelly
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nile pirate
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[*] posted on 9-12-2011 at 01:37 PM


Thanks guys for your prompt response specially for Markus whose advice has come abit late as the pirate is already captured in Moussa's Bay. Here are some photos featuring my new Al-Gohari replica in Zebrano wood with bone ebony marqueterie inlay finger board, beard rosette, and pick. The ball is slim and tall with interestingly inverted base and I will leave the sound to sample in your own taste. I am encountering difficulty in uploading the soundfile as it exceeds the limit. Any tip for that? I may go to upload it through youtube, thanks.

SDC10880.JPG - 157kB SDC10881.JPG - 137kB SDC10882.JPG - 130kB SDC10883.JPG - 165kB SDC10884.JPG - 148kB
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nile pirate
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[*] posted on 9-12-2011 at 01:46 PM


Here is the link for the sound recording played by a young, talented oudist Ramy Heshmat who is another dedicated fan of Michael Moussa (Youtube)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfhFFtOs15w
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markus
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[*] posted on 9-13-2011 at 03:57 PM


Congratulations, the sound, wood and craftmanship are all amazing- I can tell you are a real oud pirate!!!.
I have a different replica of al Gohari in rosewood with more or less the same style of bone/ebony marquettrie work but I must admit(without an evil eye) that yours have a more majestic sound especially that it is still a baby. Enjoy it fully
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Kelly
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[*] posted on 9-17-2011 at 04:19 AM



Congratulations on your new Moussa oud. Its a beauty. Play in good health




Kelly
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Ararat66
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[*] posted on 9-18-2011 at 01:46 AM


... and nice playing - lovely sound too.

Leon
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[*] posted on 9-24-2011 at 09:29 AM


hello mr pirate , as promised here are foros


WholeFront.jpg - 56kB Centre Part.jpg - 78kB neck.jpg - 72kB WholeBack.jpg - 108kB
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nile pirate
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[*] posted on 9-27-2011 at 01:04 PM
Al Gohari replica by michael Moussa


Thanks kelly, Leon and Markus for your kind compliment and congratulation which should all go to USTA Michael Moussa or Mikhail Effendi Abu Mina- as his Sofi friends call him. Now then Markus, it is you who should fear my evil eye as I have already fallen in love with the splendour of the black bowl- and the riches of the rossette, fingerboard and mostach. is the back made of rosewood or ebony, What is your course length, mine is 61.5 cm, can you please upload clearer fotos and clip

nile pirate
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[*] posted on 9-27-2011 at 05:42 PM


What a beauty !!

Enjoy the oud Nile Pirate.




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