zeeku777
Oud Admirer
Posts: 2
Registered: 8-9-2012
Member Is Offline
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Need help buying an Oud!
Hello all!
I've been searching these forums for weeks and decided it was time for me to get an account. A little introduction - I live in Vermont USA, and am
going to college for Jazz (2nd year). I play Mandolin professionally, and have done lots of middle eastern adaptations over the past year for Mandolin
which have been a BLAST to do!
However, now I am looking to buy a great Oud from a reliable luthier. From what I have researched I am looking for an Arabic/Egyptian Oud. I have been
looking around the forums and came up with a few possibilities - but - I really have no clue which builders are good and are reputable. So with much
praise I ask Mike's Oud forum for some help?
I have about $600 to play with right now, and these makers seemed good buys?
http://www.oud.net/acoustic.htm
http://www.mauriceouds.com/home.htm
http://www.samir-oud.8m.com/products.htm
I haven't been able to find prices on any of these, so maybe they are beyond my price range? I hope not!
A million thanks to everyone who has any information to share!
~Henry Clark
(P.S. - I know Arabic Ouds have larger bowls, is this ever an issue? Is the bowl on some Arabic Ouds large enough to become uncomfortable/difficult to
play with? I am 5"9 so I don't think I'll have an issue, but it's always good to ask)
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John Erlich
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1463
Registered: 8-26-2004
Location: California, USA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Oud-Obsessed
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Hi Henry,
The only professional quality ouds that I know of that sell for $600.00 are Sukar's: http://www.oudsukar.com Unfortunately, given the current situation in Syria, I seriously doubt he is currently able to do business. I personally
didn't love the Sukar ouds I tried, but some Arabic-style players swear by them. Maybe you could get one though Ebay?
Najarian is in the USA (So. Cal.) and charges much more than $600.00 (I paid $1,200 over decado ago for his cheapest model, if memory serves). You
might be able to get a Maurice Shehata for a bit more than $600 (I paid $750 in 2000 after an hour and a half of hard bargaining in his Cairo
shop).
Good luck,
"Udi" John
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Oudbedis
Oud Addict
Posts: 34
Registered: 8-6-2012
Location: Tunisia
Member Is Offline
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About the Bowl , I played with different Arabic Ouds , with different sizes of bowls , I must admit that I had some problems at first because It's a
new Oud , larger one , comparing to mine , but soon I got used to them , It is all about how you will put you arm on the upper side of the oud . As
you may noticed , Oud players generally put their arms ( precisely , at the first point on the left on this photo , see attatchment ) , but how
putting your right arm resting on the Oud reterns essentially to you , there is no strict rules on how you will do it , as you can see in this video (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TiZ_piHJ68&feature=relmfu ) at the end , in addition , 6" is really perfect , I do not think that you will
face a problem .
Good luck so !
I hope you will get a great oud 
Bedis
![bras-gauche---jeu-complet--[1].jpg - 6kB](https://www.mikeouds.com/messageboard/files.php?pid=90350&aid=23682)
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conroystoptime
Oud Maniac
Posts: 59
Registered: 2-22-2012
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You can find a good Arabic oud for that price, but only if you are very patient. I bought a Sukar I really like from a Mike's member for $500, but it
took some time.
If you're willing to go up to the $850 range, Mavrothi Kontanis (he's in the NYC area) has some really cool ouds. He generally carries Turkish ouds,
but he may still have one left from an order he placed with a Tunisian luthier.
I played one of them a month ago. They're simple, but very well built, with a nice, dry, balanced sound.
Video here: http://www.oudsforsale.oudcafe.com/Arabic_Ouds.html
Contact info is on the same site.
Bedis's input on arm technique is smart, by the way!
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Oudbedis
Oud Addict
Posts: 34
Registered: 8-6-2012
Location: Tunisia
Member Is Offline
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Thank you conroystoptime , I am planning to post a new topic about that , soon , I have a lot to say as I have some questions about as well
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Oudbedis
Oud Addict
Posts: 34
Registered: 8-6-2012
Location: Tunisia
Member Is Offline
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Quote: Originally posted by conroystoptime  | You can find a good Arabic oud for that price, but only if you are very patient. I bought a Sukar I really like from a Mike's member for $500, but it
took some time.
If you're willing to go up to the $850 range, Mavrothi Kontanis (he's in the NYC area) has some really cool ouds. He generally carries Turkish ouds,
but he may still have one left from an order he placed with a Tunisian luthier.
I played one of them a month ago. They're simple, but very well built, with a nice, dry, balanced sound.
Video here: http://www.oudsforsale.oudcafe.com/Arabic_Ouds.html
Contact info is on the same site.
Bedis's input on arm technique is smart, by the way! |
I played one of Ridha Jendoubi's Ouds , A oud of 450 Euros , a month from now , it's not a bad Oud , but Abd Al Hamid Al Hadded's Ouds in Tunisia are
better ,for price and quality , I would advice to buy one of Haddad's Oud's if someone is interested in the local-built Ouds in Tunisia .
Bedis
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zeeku777
Oud Admirer
Posts: 2
Registered: 8-9-2012
Member Is Offline
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Thanks everyone for all the great information!
I got a message from a member recently talking about a couple different options I could look into. Sounds very promising - thought I would check on
here to see what others thought!
First one recommended was Helge from Germany, his site is here:
http://www.oud-werkstatt.de/index.html
Wondered if anyone else has good experiences with this builder? His work looks just plain gorgeous, and apparently very affordable
The second is Fathy Ameen, a well known luthier and apparently in my price range give-or-take a little.
Both look like positively amazing builders, and I'll probably be wanting to buy an Oud from one of them. Just wanted to check and see what kind of
feedback they get!
Thanks again everyone! Such a wonderful forum!
~Henry
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