stos
Oud Junkie
Posts: 263
Registered: 9-29-2008
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Ordering an oud : good/bad experience?
hello!
All the different oud I owned where never ordered but always finished instrument that I had the opportunity to try and see if I like them or not.
Now I'm considering ordering from one maker that I like the work. But there is something that I find difficult to deal with : Oud are so unique that
you cannot really say if it gonna be a good one or not.
For example I tried some ouds from Haddad (tunisian maker) made the same day, and the one was great the other not so much.
So what if I do not like the sound of the oud at the end? it could be because it is not so well made or also because the sound is not what I
attended.
did it happen to some of you? how could you deal this with a kuthier?
thanks for sharing your experiences!
thanks for sharing
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Multi Kulti
Oud Junkie
Posts: 252
Registered: 1-27-2004
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Mood: skaataa!
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Hi Stos (Christos maybe?) !
The luthiers want to make good ouds and more to please the customers. So i dont think they would want you to keep an instrument you dont actually
like. With all the luthiers i dealt with it was like "you like it you keep it" Otherwise they would make something else or sell it to someone
other..
Its very nice to have a custom oud made from a luthier you like his work. The contact with him, the time you spent designing and discuss about it. And
of course the personal taste in sound and appearance.
I wish the best in choosing!
Nikos
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jdowning
Oud Junkie
Posts: 3485
Registered: 8-2-2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
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This is an interesting question.
Although it might be expected that an instrument custom ordered from an experienced and well established luthier will be of at least a reasonably
acceptable high standard acoustically there is likely no guarantee that it will be exceptional. So a 'you like it you keep it' policy would certainly
be fair.
Some of todays top lute makers have waiting lists extending to several years and will usually require a non returnable deposit when an instrument is
ordered and full payment once work has started on making the lute. I am not sure what the situation would be if the completed instrument, costing
several thousand dollars - in the unlikely event - turned out to be a complete 'dud' (in the opinion of the customer). Would the luthier take back the
instrument for a refund - I have to doubt it.
Interesting to note that a prominent and well established Spanish company producing high quality, hand made classical guitars - do not price their
completed instruments - all the 'same' in construction, finish and appearance - until they have been fully tried and tested by experienced players
employed for that purpose. Those judged to have exceptional acoustical properties are then sold with a suitably elevated price tag.
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paulO
Oud Junkie
Posts: 530
Registered: 9-8-2004
Location: California
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Hi Stos,
If you want to be sure how an oud is going to sound, play the finished oud - then buy it (or not). Custom orders can never be a sure thing, and that's
just how it is. You have to be sure the maker you're ordering from has a sound you like, or style you like. Then you have to roll the dice. The last
paragraph of jdowning's post pretty much says it all....good luck man.
Regards...Paul
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